Crisis is a drag for drag race organizers

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)