30 racers take part in Mesran junior rally

JAKARTA (JP): Fifteen drivers are set to take part in the Mesran junior rally from Bandung to Jakarta on Nov. 16.

Organizer Helmy Sungkar said yesterday that the racers would compete in seven special stages covering a total distance of 140 kilometers from the capital of West Java to the country's capital.

"This will be the last junior rally for this year. We will not hold the same rally next year because we will concentrate on the senior rallies," Helmy said.

The rally will start from Jl. Japati in Bandung at 6:30 a.m. and end at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Jakarta at 4:30 p.m. the same day.

The rally is being held to commemorate the hotel's 21st anniversary.

The hotel is also providing night-long music in its Pit Stop bar for the racers, their navigators and teams.

The racers will vie for total cash prizes of Rp 12 million (US$3400).

The winner will also receive a motorcycle from Bob Nasution of the Indonesian Automotive Foundation.

Among the 30 racers are Yaldi Indra/Herry Kuntoyo, Rifat Sungkar/M. Herkusuma and Akbar Hadianto/Rinto Sadikin. Yaldi leads the rankings with 35 points, followed by Rifat with 32 points and Akbar with 27 points.

Herry said he and Yaldi would do their best to win the rally.

"Our car (a Mitsubishi Evolution IV) is in top condition. We hope we can win the race," Herry said.

Enny Andriani, the only woman competing, said she would try hard to compete with the men. "It's going to be a tough job but I will do my best."

Registration is still open for those who wish to take part in the rally. The entry fee is Rp 180,000 and applications should be sent to Trendypromo Mandira, Jl. Kesehatan 2 No. 6, Bintaro, South Jakarta or to IMI Jawa Barat, Setrasari Mall B4/98, Jl. Sumantri No. 120, Bandung. Registration closes on Nov. 15. (lnt)