Local drivers gear up for season-end rally
Local drivers gear up for season-end rally
JAKARTA (JP): The National Rally Championship's fourth and
final leg, in Bandar Lampung next weekend, looks to set to be a
nail-biting confrontation among the top five title contenders.
Defending champion Tony Hardianto, with 45 points, heads for
the season-ending race with a slender 2.5-point lead over Hutomo
Mandala Putra at the top of the standings.
With the winner of each leg awarded 20 points, another three
drivers Bambang Hartono (36 points), Reza Pribadi (34) and Irvan
Gading (32.5) could all turn the tables on the two leaders.
Rochatta Ali, chairman of the organizing committee, told a
press conference yesterday that 40 drivers had confirmed their
participation in the race.
Ali said that the drivers will be vying for Rp 13 million
(US$5,580) in cash prizes. The overall winner of the rally
championship series will receive a Timor car, a product of the
national automotive company owned by Hutomo.
After the flag-off on Oct. 19, the drivers will tackle 11
special stages built along palm oil plantations covering 180
kilometers between Langkapura and Way Berulu.
Huge crowds are expected to throng the venue of the third
stage in Way Halim, the only stage each driver must clear three
times during the rally. Organizers are to provide stands along
Way Halim's circuit.
Ali said that the Langkapura circuit, the track for the first
stage, will revel in its major exposure prior to the construction
of the most sophisticated circuit in Southeast Asia there.
The project, scheduled to begin early next year, will cost the
Lampung Motor Association Rp 15 billion, with one third of the
budget being used to buy the 160-hectare plot for the circuit.
Ali said that apart from rallies, the circuit will also
accommodate motocross, go-karting and roller skating races. Other
facilities, including a sports hall and a press center, will be
built near the circuit.
Lampung Governor Poedjono Pranyoto is scheduled to wave the
checkered flag for the season-ending rally at the parking area of
the Saburai Sports Hall in Bandar Lampung. (amd)