Chandra Alim leads RI drivers in Malaysia race

JAKARTA (JP): Seasoned driver Chandra Alim will lead five Indonesian racers for the Formula Asia auto racing championships in Kuala Lumpur on July 16.

Chandra, of the Djarum Racing Team, will be accompanied by teammates Andre Timothy and national young hope Alvin Bahar. The other drivers are from the Humpus Racing Team. They are Roy Haryanto, Stanley Iriawan and Ananda Mikola, Indonesia's rising star in automotive sport.

"I think we have a better chance to improve our position after the first two round, held at Sentul in May," Chandra said. Chandra and company finished third after the first two rounds.

The first four rounds of the Formula Asia series, held at Sentul, Indonesia's Formula One-standard circuit near Bogor, saw some truly top class motor sport as drivers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, Britain and Sweden battled for championship points.

Rounds One and Two were won in commanding style by 18-year old Roy Haryanto, with Briton Saunders taking the checkered flag in Rounds Three and Four.

After Indonesia, the Formula Asia circuit moves to Malaysia's Shah Alam near Kuala Lumpur, for Rounds Five and Six of the international series on July 16. They were originally scheduled for July 23.

A spectacular weekend of motor sport was planned, featuring touring and saloon cars, motorcycles with Formula Asia, the region's only FIA-sanctioned single seater series, topping the bill.

The sixth round will be staged at the Pasir Gudang track in Johor.

Chandra said despite the fact that the Indonesian drivers will be given two hours official practice, one hour on Thursday and one hour on Friday, he believes they can do their best to better the third position already secured at Sentul. (rsl)