250 drivers compete in Gudang Garam drag race

250 drivers compete in Gudang Garam drag race

JAKARTA (JP): About 250 drivers will compete in a one-day
second-leg Gudang Garam drag race at the Sentul circuit, Bogor,
on April 11.

Organizer Sigit Hardadi said on Thursday that, so far, 150
drivers have registered for the race.

"We hope that the number will increase to 250 by April 11.
Participants in the first leg reached 263," Sigit said.

Among the drivers competing in the race are Robert Paul, Herry
Agung, Ono Mikono, Sugeriawan and Donny Pangemanan.

Paul, a Canadian who resides in Jakarta, won the first leg
with a time of 10.84 seconds.

Registration is still open for those interested in taking part
in the drag race as well as other races. They may register at the
Rally Tama Group Secretariat, Jl. Barito I/7, South Jakarta, or
at the Sentul circuit.

The other races include a Free for All and sedan, minibus,
pickup and jeep events.

Wie Wie Riantor, who won the drag race in 1997, said that he
hoped to beat Paul and, at the same time, better the time of
10.84 seconds.

"I have made some changes to my car (Holden Commodore) and I
feel confident I can beat Paul," Wie Wie said.

Wie Wie defeated Paul in 1997 clocking 12.286. Paul clocked
12.635.

Gunawan Tjandra, team manager for Wie Wie, Herry and Budi
Tohir, also expressed confidence that Wie Wie could defeat Paul.

"I hope that Wie Wie can do what he did in 1997 in the coming
race," Gunawan said.

Rio Sarwono, one of the circuit's directors, welcomed the
national cigarette company Gudang Garam sponsoring the drag race.

According to Rio, Gudang Garam has sponsored drag races in the
country for the past two years.

"It is, of course, our wish that Gudang Garam continues to
sponsor not only drag races but also other races," Rio said.
(lnt)