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)