3-in-one day races criticized

3-in-one day races criticized

JAKARTA (JP): Organizers raised voices of concern yesterday
over the decision by the nation's top auto-sport governing body,
IMI, to allow three automotive competitions to take place at
different places on the same date.

On Sunday, the Sentul international circuit located near Bogor
is scheduled to host the first Formula Asia Cup championship.
Some 30 kilometers to the west at Bumi Serpong Damai track, a
sprint rally will be held on the same day. While in Surabaya,
East Java, the second step of the Lucky Strike International
motocross championships will be held.

"I don't understand why IMI sanctioned three events to be
staged on the same date," a spokesman of one of the motor races
said yesterday.

The spokesman added that IMI should not repeat the practice in
the near future. "This kind of action will jeopardize or at least
disperse the attention of automotive sports fans."

The Formula Asia race, the first single seater race contested
in Asia will also feature Group N races made up of three classes.
They are 0-1,300 cc, 1,301-1,600 cc, 1,601-2,000 cc.

Competitors in the Group N events are vying for cash prizes
worth of Rp 6 million provided by ABS Brake Guard.

In the Surabaya event, national top crosser Jhony Pranata will
once again to try to challenge foreign riders coming from Japan,
New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

"I hope Johnie will be successful this time," committee
spokesman of the Lucky Strike race Faryd Sungkar said.

FIA, the international governing body of motor sport,
according to Faryd, has given its green light to Indonesia to
host one of the world championships series in the 125 cc
division.

"However, we should be able to build a permanent track
approved by FIA," Faryd said.

He said he has found two possible track sites: one in Halim
Perdanakusuma and another one at Lippo City in Bekasi (rsl).