Drivers wary of Sentul race course

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)