Medan gains support to host world rally

JAKARTA (JP): New champion Kenneth Eriksson of Sweden gave his weight to Indonesia's bid to host one of the world rally championship legs in Medan, North Sumatra.

"I have a feeling that a world rally championship is coming very soon here," Eriksson told The Jakarta Post after forming the winning team with countryman Staffan Parmander in the Bentoel Rally Indonesia '94, the first leg of the six-round Asia Pacific series, on Sunday.

"I like the demanding tracks, the hot weather as well as the enthusiastic spectators, although they sometimes put me in a little bit of trouble," the 36-year-old Swede said.

The Indonesian Motor Sport Association (IMI) has offered special tracks along rubber and palm oil plantations in North Sumatra as a route for the international motor body (FIA)- sanctioned world race. Indonesia's bid is facing a tough challenge since FIA has planned to curb its official rallies at 10.

Medan has played host to the region's rally championship since 1989, with Australian Ross Dunkerton steering to victory three times.

The runner-up and former champion Peter "Possum" Bourne of New Zealand stood in line with the winner, saying that the 419- kilometer coursed for the three-day event has good prospects for hosting a world-rated race.

"I see no big difference in terms of terrain in the Asia Pacific series from the world championship one," Bourne, who pointed to gearbox suspension trouble as a problem for him at the June 17-19 race, said.

"Besides, the organizers here are getting improved," he added.

Both drivers, who will renew their rivalry in the second round of the Asia Pacific rally in New Zealand next month, complained about a few local boys who poured water on the dusty tracks. Racers found it difficult to handle their cars on the wet sections. (amd)