Ananda seeks better future in auto racing

JAKARTA (JP): Like father like son. That's the most likely reason why Ananda Mikola dons a racing suit.

But when it comes to dreams, teenage Ananda wants to surpass the achievements of his father -- former top national driver Tinton Suprapto.

"My only ambition is to become the first Indonesian to compete in Formula One. I hope that I can be among the world's top drivers some day," Ananda says.

Still only 18, Ananda has shown a maturity beyond his years in the Italian Formula Three championship series he is contesting for the second year running. With four races left, he is standing fifth in the drivers' championship rankings.

His most outstanding performance was a podium finish he earned when he claimed the runner-up spot in the fifth leg of the championship early last month.

Most recently he came 10th in the Marlboro Masters held on Aug. 9 in the Dutch town of Zandvoort, after he tangled with a rival driver early in the race.

"I managed to get my engine repaired, but it was not enough. If the crash had not happened, I could have won the race," Ananda rued.

The next four races in the Italian series will take place on Sep. 6 in Binetto, Sep. 20 in Pergusa, Oct. 24 in Magione and Oct. 25, also in Magione.

Tinton has said Ananda should qualify for Formula One, the most prestigious motor racing championship in the world, if he maintains his ranking in Italy.

"Winning or losing do not matter a lot to me. I just want to show that I can match those experienced racers at a younger age," Ananda says of his Italian Formula Three stint, a feeder event for Formula One.

Tinton, who ruled the race track back in the 1970s, has played a pivotal role in his son's driving career.

He gave Ananda the chance to sit behind the wheel in a Group N2 International race held here in 1993. A then 13-year-old Ananda proved his talents by finishing second.

A year later, a more mature Ananda returned to the same track and emerged victorious.

Ananda's trophy cabinet is already cluttered with trophies won in his kart racing days.

As a 15-year-old student, Ananda took the first step toward fulfilling his dream of driving in Formula One by joining the Formula Asia championship.

He came fourth in his Formula Asia debut at Shah Alam in Malaysia and became a regular face on the podium as he learned more about the formula and his rival drivers. He ended his brief Formula Asia career with two victories in 1996 before moving on to Italy.

The American cigarette company Marlboro is sponsoring Ananda's two-year stint in the Italian F3. The contract ends in December.

Robby Hidayat from Marlboro told The Jakarta Post recently that the cigarette giant had made the right choice in Ananda.

"Ananda has performed commendably in the F3 races so far. There is a possibility that we will extend the contract," Robby said.

Djohar Djuwardi, also from Marlboro, said the company's deal with Ananda was part of its commitment to promote local talent on the international stage.

"We are prepared to sponsor local talents other than Ananda if they meet our strict standards," Djohar said.

Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI), Bob Nasution, said he was expecting to see an Indonesian flagged off in an F1 race in the near future.

"So far Ananda is our sole hope," Bob said.

Bob added that the association has bid to stage a junior F1 race in Indonesia next year.

"Our only problem is whether we can afford to cover the expenses needed to hold the event while the economic situation remains as it is. We will have to rely very heavily on sponsorship," he said.

If the race does materialize, Ananda will be one of drivers competing for the title, Bob added. (lnt)