Hayono wins Group B at Gebyar auto race

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman won the Group B category of the Gebyar Gudang Garam auto race at Sentul, near Bogor, Sunday.

Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave was second and former home affairs minister Rudini came third.

The three ministers were among the senior government officials and businessmen taking part in the one-day race. The ministers were in Group B and the nonministers were in Group A. They all used the national car, the Timor.

Hayono, Rudini and Joop were pleased with the race and hoped it could be held annually

"I hope that such a race can be held annually and attract many spectators," Hayono said.

Rudini also expected that through the race the public would learn more about the Timor car's capabilities.

Joop felt the race was tiring, particularly in the hot weather. "I enjoyed the race however despite the hot weather."

In the Group A category, Police Brig. Gen. Syahruddin ZP and Maj. Gen. Syamsu D came first and second respectively. Businessman Robby Sumampouw came third.

A third Timor race, for celebrities, was canceled due to heavy rain, as were junior, beginner and superbike races.

Three races for local professional drivers, divided into Divisions I, II and III did go ahead.

Ananda Mikola, a Formula III racer, won the Division I race. Piers Hunniset was second less than a second behind and Didi Hardianto was third, a further eight seconds back.

Moreno Soeprapto won the Division II race, followed by Dody Hardjito and Budi Haryono.

Panji SA won the Division III event. Donny was second and H. Effendy third.

Meanwhile about 200 cars competed in the Langit Biru Wisata Touring Rally around the capital on Sunday.

The tour was held to commemorate Pertamina's 40th anniversary and has been an annual tradition. Pertamina is the state-owned oil company.

It started and finished at the Pertamina headquarters on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur. The drivers covered a total distance of 180 kilometers divided into three stages. They had to use BBG (compressed natural gas), Elpiji (liquefied natural gas) or Super TT (unleaded gasoline).

Pertamina's president Faisal Abda'oe, who saw off the racers, thanked them for their participation and using the environmentally friendly fuel. (lnt)