Crisis is a drag for drag race organizers

JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the national drag race championship series said yesterday they expected fewer participants in the opening leg April 5 due to the monetary turmoil.

Rio Sarwono, director of the Sentul circuit near Bogor, West Java, which will host all the series races, said 200 drivers were expected to participate, a drop from 300 last year.

As of yesterday, 150 were registered for the one-day race.

Rio added that the financial crunch had also forced the organizers to cut the number of events in the series, from seven last year to four this year.

Sentul has been named the host all of the races, canceling out organizers' proposal to host two races in South Sulawesi and Central Java.

The remaining races are scheduled for May 31, Oct. 4 and Nov. 8.

The opening leg will feature a free-for-all, ordinary car drag -- including vans and sedans -- and jeep races. The cars' engine range between 1000cc and 2500cc.

Rio said the races would serve as a talent-spotting ground for the national motor sports body in identifying talented dragsters who could represent the country internationally.

"We also wish to enhance promotion of this sort of automotive sport," added Rully, a Jakarta official of the motor association.

Rio said organizers had also reached a sponsorship deal with cigarette giant Gudang Garam for the drag race series.

The Kediri, East Java-based company will also sponsor international motor sport events, consisting of three Formula Asia Championship series on May 3, June 14 and Aug. 2 and the World Superbike Championship on Sept. 27.

Registration for the drag race opener is still open. Fees are Rp 100,000 for registration between March 16 and March 29, Rp 150,000 from March 30 to April 3 and Rp 200,000 on the eve of the event. Applications are available at the Sentul circuit in Citeureup, Bogor, or at Rally Tama, Jl. Barito No. 7, South Jakarta. (lnt)