Five head to RP Asian karting race

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Five Indonesian racers are set for the second series of the 2004 Asian Karting Open Championship at the Carmona Circuit in Cavita, the Philippines, this week.

The three-day event, which starts on June 25 will feature 34 contenders from six Asian countries.

Other nations with competitors are India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.

The Philippines will field 20 racers while India and Hong Kong will send one each in the three categories of races; junior, senior and cadet 85cc.

Alexandra Asmasoebrata, the only female racer on the Indonesian squad, said she would be looking to improve from her mediocre showing in the first series in Kelantan, Malaysia, in April.

"I hope that I can win this time because I have experience at the circuit in Carmona. I already have mental image of what I need to do on the circuit," said Alexandra, who competes in the junior class, during a press conference here on Monday.

Finishing sixth place in the opener, Alexandra said that the toughest opposition would come from her fellow Indonesian Ryan Anthoni Monoarfa, the winner of the opening series.

Eris Mahpud and Arya Setyaki are Indonesia's senior category competitors with the latter looking to improve on his second place in the first series.

The other team member is 9-year-old Senna S.N., in the Cadet 85cc class.

Indonesian team manager Alex Asmasoebrata said that it would be a tough race with the other teams lining up a lot of strong racers.

"But we will try our best to win the races," he said.

He said Indonesia could only send five, compared to 16 at the Malaysia meet, due to a lack of financial support.

The three series are to follow in India from July 31 to Aug. 1, in Macau, China, from Oct. 1 to 3 and in Surabaya, Indonesia, from Dec. 3 to 5.