Chandra gives young contenders a lesson
JAKARTA (JP): Veteran driver Chandra Alim dazzled his young challengers with sheer mastery in the opening leg of the national Formula Asia auto racing championship series at Sentul circuit, near Bogor, West Java yesterday.
Chandra, who slipped back into his racing suit after two years off the track, led from start to finish with the fastest time of 23 minutes 52.352 seconds after yesterday's 15-lap race. He averaged 148.9 kmh.
Combined with his victory in the first race on Saturday, Chandra from the Djarum Racing Team collected the maximum 40 points, far ahead of second-placed Moreno Soeprapto of the GG Humpuss team who collected 24 points after finishing third in both races.
Tony Darmawan had to be content with an overall third place despite coming second yesterday. The Matari Motorsport driver only accumulated 23 points as he finished fifth Saturday.
Chandra was far from ecstatic yesterday, saying that the race had lacked competitive value.
"I think my contenders lack experience because most of them are used to competing in national go-kart races. That's all."
Only seven of an estimated 12 drivers turned up for the championship's opening leg.
The championship used to serve as a qualifying event for the international Formula Asia series, with only the winner and runner-up of each leg eligible for the international race.
Chandra, who is also the Formula Asia coordinator, said that the international races had all been canceled due to the uncertain monetary situation.
"I'm so sorry about the cancellation because it will take us a few years to see international races here," he said, adding that the races had given Indonesia's junior drivers a lot of experience.
Sentul, built by President Soeharto's son Hutomo Mandala Putra, used to host a leg of the world motorcycling championship series in addition to international Formula Asia.
The next national Formula Asia races will take place on June 14, Aug. 2 and Oct. 11.
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Agung Laksono said earlier in the day he would throw his full weight behind the event, adding that automotive sports had captured the attention of youngsters in the country. (emf)