Indonesia Rally moved from July to next May

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia Rally will be moved from July to May next year to make way for a world championship race in Argentina, organizers say.

Indrajit Sardjono, chairman of the Indonesia Rally Foundation, announced on Wednesday the annual rally championship in Medan, North Sumatra will be held between May 10 and 12.

"The 1996 rally in Medan would compete with the Argentinean Rally if we stick to the original schedule. It could bar world- class drivers from entering the race here," Indrajit explained.

The Argentinean Rally, which is included in the world championship's calendar, will take place early in July next year. The Indonesian Rally traditionally falls on these days.

Eventual champion Collin McRae of Scotland and his major rival Tommi Makkinen of Finland were among world's prominent drivers who raced in Medan last month.

Indrajit also confirmed that the three-day event in Medan will serve as the second round of the six-leg Asia Pacific Championship series after Rally of Thailand in March 2 to 4. The Indonesia Rally opened the Asia Pacific series in the last three years.

Indrajit said that the organizers had set earlier preparations for the championship next year. "Our fate will be decided next year, whether we win our bid for hosting a world championship round in 1997 or not," Indrajit said.

A number of route changes will be made for next year's race. All drivers will tackle three new stages in a tea plantation in Simalungun and in a pine forest near Aek Nauli. They also stay one day longer at Parapat, a tourist resort near Lake Toba.

The overall schedule for the Asia Pacific rally championship series next year will change, with the Malaysian Rally serving as the third leg from June 12 to 14. The series will then move to New Zealand from July 26 to 30, Australia between Sept. 13 and 16 before the final race from Hong Kong to Beijing between Oct. 19 and 25. (amd)