Mahadi assures world racer safety in RI

Mahadi assures world racer safety in RI

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): State Minister of Youth Affairs and
Sports Mahadi Sinambela guaranteed the security of world racers
should Indonesia be appointed host to the 2001 World Rally
Championship.

Mahadi told reporters after opening the 2000 Gudang Garam
Indonesia Rally at the parking lot of the Tiara Hotel convention
hall here on Friday that the Indonesian government will forward
the guarantee to the world automotive federation (FIA).

He said that the event would help restore Indonesia's image
worldwide and encourage tourists to visit Indonesia.

Twenty-five racers from three countries are participating in
the Gudang Garam event, which will last until Sunday. Mahadi
opened the rally, with Karamjit Singh and navigator Allen Eoh
from Malaysia driving a Proton Pert car. Indonesian racer Chandra
Alim with navigator Prihatin K follwed in a Mitsubishi Lancer
EVO-III, and Tinton Suprapto and navigator Rio S. drove the same
make and model of car and were third.

North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin, who accompanied
Mahadi, said that he would support any world rally championship
because the rally was quite popular here.

Chairman of the Indonesian Motorsports Association Bob RE
Nasution expressed optimism that FIA would pick Indonesia,
particularly North Sumatra, to host the World Rally Championship.

He also suggested that the starting point would be from the
historical Maimoon palace.(39/ivy)