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)