Auto sports still not on right track: Seminar

Auto sports still not on right track: Seminar

JAKARTA (JP): A lack of cooperation between the government,
the private sector and the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) has
been pinpointed as the main factor behind the sluggish
development of automobile and motorbike racing in the country.

The conclusion was made at a one-day seminar titled the Future
of Automotive Sports in Indonesia held on Tuesday at the Hotel
Mulia Senayan. The seminar was sponsored by Motor magazine, and
Otomotif and Motor Plus tabloids.

One of the speakers, Agus Langgeng, told the audience that
some of Indonesia's professional drivers and riders were only
successful because they received financial assistance from their
families.

"There is still nepotism in automotive sports, because it's
quite impossible for a young rider from an ordinary family to
become involved in the sport. If one of his parents is involved
in the sport, he will have easier access," said Agus, who is also
chief editor of Motor and Otomotif and deputy chief editor of
Motor Plus.

Agus named Formula 3000 driver Ananda Mikola, son of former
automotive sportsman Tinton Suprapto, as someone who had
developed a successful career in Italy. He also named Bagoes
Hermanto, who drives in the Formula Palmer Audi team, and Arya
Setyaki of the Formula Australia team.

Agus said IMI might set up a training center for young drivers
to provide technical skills, and also help with their physical
condition ahead of international competitions ranging from go-
kart, Formula Asia, European F-3, Formula 3000 and Formula I.

He also urged the government to contribute to the development
of the sports.

"The government could give its support by ordering state-owned
Pertamina to sponsor an automotive team and by also urging huge
cigarette companies to provide financial support," he said.

Minister of Transportation Giri R. Soeseno told the audience
that IMI should include activities other than professional races
in its brief.

"IMI should also focus its attention on automotive and
motorbike sports as fun events and vehicle modification events.
Staging fun sports, such as a fun motor rally, will boost tourism
in the country. By running automotive modification events, which
have boomed recently, IMI can also attract attention from
automotive accessory dealers," said Giri, who chaired IMI in the
late 1980s.

Giri said he hoped such activities would inspire people to
study automotive components either for the benefit of sports or
commercial efforts.

At the seminar, Giri presented a posthumous award to the
family of go-kart driver Hengky Iriawan, who was killed in an
accident at the Ipoh circuit in Malaysia in 1972, and to motor
racer Saksono Sosroatmodjo, who died in an accident in Prague
during an official practice session in 1972. (yan)