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)