Drivers take places for Gudang Garam race
Drivers take places for Gudang Garam race
JAKARTA (JP): Following their intensive practice, both foreign
and local leading drivers taking part in the Gudang Garam Formula
Asia race are confident of notching a victory on Sunday at Sentul
International circuit near here.
Their serious preparations for the race, Asia's first and only
single seater motor racing event, have been proven with their
improved times recorded during the official practice session
concluded yesterday.
"With a few alterations and a new engine, I think I would have
a better chance to repeat my success of winning the race on
Sunday," a confident Roy Haryanto of the Humpuss team said
yesterday.
Roy, the latest sensation on the local automotive scene, last
April won the Formula Asia Round One and Two at the 3.96 km
Sentul Circuit, located in Bogor, West Java.
Swedish Formula 3 driver, Niclas Jonsson, who finished third
behind Britain's Brian Saunders, despite the heat and humidity,
believes "that I can also produced better time than last April
and win the race."
Indonesia's seasoned driver Chandra Alim of the Djarum Racing
Team (DRT), who will be challenged by drivers whose ages range
between 14 and 18, yesterday also voiced optimism about winning
the race. Included in the local juniors are Anda Mikola (14), Roy
(18), Alvin Bahar (17).
"I think being the host of such big event will be nice for us
if local drivers can dominate the race," Chandra said.
The DRT will bank on veteran driver Alim in its bid to finish
among the top three.
"We think it is a reasonable target after our commendable
showing in the last races," Wato Kartono, Djarum Racing Team
project officer, said on Thursday.
Chandra finished fourth in both races in the opening leg last
month. He is now ranked fourth overall on the driver's
championship standings with 20 points.
The tobacco company-backed team, one of three Indonesian teams
to race in the championship, moved its practice runs to Sentul
this week, trying to find its finest touch on the track.
Back-up
Driving his FA-2000 car, Chandra will receive full back-up
from young races Andre Timothy and Alvin Bahar during the races,
the second leg of the Formula Asia championship this season.
Alvin, dubbed a promising star who will emulate his father
Aswin's driving mastery, was recruited and groomed by DRT to take
Chandra's place.
"I feel great ahead of the races. I'm looking forward to
sitting behind the wheel and clocking the fastest time," said
Chandra. He set his best lap time of 1 minute and 32.1 seconds
during a practice early this week.
"I could have finished quicker if I succeeded in trying out
the transmission system on my car," Chandra recalled.
Chandra and company will again fight tooth and nail against
favorite Humpuss team spearheaded by Roy and foreign challenge
led by Sonencher's Saunders and Lux-Shell's Jonsson.
Formula Asia organizers extended the single-seater
championship series from five stops to eight this season.
Britain's Saunders won the initial championship last year.
(rsl/amd)