200 cars to compete in Wisata Rally

JAKARTA (JP): About 200 cars are expected to take part in the Langit Biru Wisata Rally around the capital on Dec. 7.

The tour is being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pertamina, the state-run oil company, which is organizing the event with the Jakarta Sportscar Fan club, Trendypromo Mandiri public relations company and the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesia Motor Association.

The touring rally has become an annual tradition. Two hundred cars took part in last year's rally.

It starts and finishes at the Pertamina headquarters on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur. The drivers will pass a number of points where they will be asked questions on Jakarta. They will be allowed to rest at the Pulomas horsetrack before returning to Pertamina headquarters.

The drivers are not allowed to drive more than 24 kilometers an hour.

Harry Poernomo of Pertamina said that the rally has become one of the company's main events to commemorate its anniversary.

"We also want to remind the participants of the need for clean air in Jakarta. This can be achieved if everybody helps make clean air," Harry said.

He added that to achieve this aim, the participants must choose their fuel from one of the three mentioned: BBG (compressed natural gas), Elpiji (liquified natural gas) and Super TT (unleaded gas).

Motorcycles will be awarded to the winner and the two runners- up of the one-day rally. Door prizes will be given to the losers.

Organizer Helmy Sungkar said that 79 cars had already registered for the rally. "We expect 200 cars. This is a family tour so everybody is invited."

Registration is still open to interested parties at Trendypromo Mandiri, Jl. Kesehatan 2/6, Bintaro, South Jakarta and Pertamina UPPDN III, Jl. Kramat Raya No. 59, Central Jakarta.

Drag race

Robert Paul of the Star Mild team is certain to win the national drag race competition although there is still one more race (the eighth leg) to go, at Sentul circuit, near Bogor, this Saturday.

Paul, a Canadian consultant based in Jakarta, leads with 99 points. This cannot be overhauled by second-placed Donnie Pangemanan, who has 57 points and third-placed Donnie Pangemanan, who has 54 points.

Donnie is Paul's teammate.

The seventh leg of the drag race in Yogyakarta on Nov. 9 was stopped due to the spectators occupying stands too close to the track.

"I will do my best to win the race on Nov. 29. I know that Donnie is seeking a win so it will be a tough race," Paul said.

Apart from Paul, Donnie and Ronny, other drivers taking part in the race are Pare Soemoele, Widiaztama, Wie Wie Rianto, Ono Mikono and Haryanto.

Rianto won the sixth leg, also held at Sentul.

Juliwati of Star Mild said she was delighted about Paul's success in leading the rankings as this was the Star Mild team's target.

"We are grateful if Donnie can hold on to second position," Juliwati said. (lnt)