Medan national motor rally revs up today

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The opening leg of this year's national championship motor rally gets underway here today, with 23 drivers from Jakarta, Medan and Bandung set to take part in the two-day event.

Seasoned national rallyists headed by Hutomo Mandala Putra, Tony Hardianto, Ricardo Gelael, Irvan Gading and Cepot H. Wiano are among this year's notable entries. They plan to use the event to tune-up for the Asia-Pacific rally to be held in this province June 17-19.

North Sumatra Governor Raja Inal Siregar is scheduled to flag off the participants at Merdeka field in the city center this morning.

"Most of the stages in this rally will also be used for the Asia-Pacific Rally," race organizer Bob Nasution said.

The Medan rally will cover a total distance of 213 kilometers divided into 15 special stages passing through Sei Merah, Batu Lokong, Paya Pinang, Batu Rata and several other locales. (rmn/bas)