Locals ready for Formula Asia race

JAKARTA (JP): Teenage driver Ananda Mikola will be leading Indonesia's charge in the seventh and eighth legs of the Formula Asia at the Sentul circuit tomorrow.

"I see a great chance to win here, because I have practiced enough. My major opposition will come from my friends Dimas and Bagoes," the 16-year-old driver said yesterday.

Ananda, son of former national racer Tinton Suprapto, has collected 61 points after six rounds. He is now placed third behind India's Narain Karthikeyan on 95 points and Briton Piers Hunniset, with 89.

Other young Indonesian drivers -- including Roy Haryanto, Indra Saksono, Hari Dharma, Yusar Odang, Eris and Amir Mahmud -- will also sit behind the wheels tomorrow.

Andhika Bagoes Hermanto of Lux Motorsport Asia expressed the same optimism about making a podium finish.

Tomorrow will be his third appearance in the Formula Asia series. Bagoes was formerly known as a go-cart racer here.

Championship leader Karthikeyan admitted that he is facing a tough race this time. "Hunniset will be my toughest rival. I should also consider host drivers," he said.

The co-featured race at Sentul tomorrow is the Southeast Asia Touring Car Zona Challenge, contesting 23 local and foreign drivers.

Indonesia will field Chandra Alim -- wearing a Bentoel Motorsport racing suit -- and the Toyota team of Indra Saksono, Tommy Santosa and Jimmy Lukita.

Thailand's Suphot Kasikam of the AIM Opel leads the standings on 99 points after six legs. (yan)