Medan rally cuts special stages

JAKARTA (JP): Organizers of the Indonesia Rally in Medan, North Sumatra, have decided to drop a special stage, at Rambong Sialang, reducing the number of stages in the July 7-9 race from 26 to 25.

Indrajit Sardjono, who chairs the technical commission of the committee, said that the track was found to be too dangerous for the competing drivers and any repair project would take such a long time, that it could not meet the deadline.

World-class drivers, including Collin McRae, Tomi Makinen, defending champion Kenneth Andersson, and former winner Possum Bourne, will be among 30 participants of the three-day race.

Organizers also said that about 300 foreign and local journalists are expected to cover the event, which is the opening leg of the Asia Pacific Rally Championships series. (amd)