Drivers wary of Sentul race course
JAKARTA (JP): Many of the drivers who will pit their skills in the first leg of the seven-round Formula Asia championship series at Sentul international circuit, West Java this weekend, look uncertain about their chances of crossing the finish line first.
"I'm still learning how to handle my new car as well as my rivals," said Indian Akbar Ebrahim, whose ample experience in F-3 and Formula-Ford 1000 races tipped him a red-hot favorite here said yesterday.
Participants will drive F-2000 single-seater, open-wheeler cars, the lower standard of those used in Formula One races.
Ebrahim, F-3 record holder since 1989, admitted he was not well informed about the 11-month-old, 3.9-kilometer track situated near the Jagorawi toll road.
"Everything is new, that's all I worry about," he said. He also complained that the organizers will allow only one day of official practice which is slated for today.
Mark Goddard, Formula Asia technical director, said several cars had yet to enter the paddock for pre-race examinations.
The new cars have forced Indonesian leading drivers Ananda Mikola and Tomy Santosa to take a special brief driving course in Perth, Australia.
"The two-day course will at least improve our knowledge about the cars used in this race," Tommy said. Both racers drove 39 laps at Perth circuit on FA-2000 cars during their overseas stint early this week.
Ebrahim will join countryman J. Anand who had initially planned to skip the opening round race here. The 27-year-old Anand will get behind the wheel of his Fiat 1100 which powered him to several titles on his home turf. He had earlier planned to make waves at the second leg in August, also at Sentul.
Malaysia will parade a skillful pair of Alexander Yoong and Darren Shaw. "Our target is romping home with a victory," manager Leif Norberg said. He added his aces had broken in their new cars during a number of practices at the Shah Alam circuit in Malaysia.
After the second stop, the race, which has recently been sanctioned by the international motor federation, FIA, will move to Kuala Lumpur, Johor and either China or India. (amd)