FIA drops RI's bid for Formula One race

FIA drops RI's bid for Formula One race

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia looks certain to lose its bid to bring
a prestigious Formula One grand prix race to the Sentul circuit
next year, after the International Automobile Federation (FIA)
excluded it from the 1996 provisional calendar on Thursday.

The FIA announced that it would return to its traditional 16-
race format, one fewer than this season, without even naming
Indonesia as a candidate for the auto sporting extravaganza.

Reuters reported that the world motor body dropped the
European Grand Prix in Nuerburgring, Germany, and has yet to give
a definite go-ahead to two races in Estoril, Portugal, and in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, pending a decision at an FIA World
Council meeting on Dec. 8.

No officials of the Indonesian Motor Association could be
reached yesterday for comment on the FIA announcement.

The FIA had earlier listed Indonesia in the 16th place of the
proposed grand prix calendar, encouraging Indonesia's hopes of
becoming the second Asian country to play host to the lucrative
race, after Japan.

Criticism mounted, however, as hosting the race would have
required the spending of no less than Rp 20 billion (US$9
million). The critics worried about financial shortcomings due to
the late schedule. They said that the race would lack
sponsorship, since a winner is always decided as early as two or
three before the end of the season.

The Indonesian association will have its busiest calendar next
season, when the country hosts three world automotive races: the
500cc Grand Prix at Sentul, West Java, on April 7, the Indonesian
Rally in Medan, North Sumatra, from May 10 to May 12, and the
world Superbike championship, also at Sentul, in October.

National automotive sports figure, Tinton Suprapto, said
earlier that he fully support the bid, noting that the Formula
One championship would lift Indonesia's pride. Tinton, the
managing director of the Sentul circuit, pledged to help the
organizers collect funds. (amd)