Mikola packs his bags for 13 Formula III races

JAKARTA (JP): Rising star Ananda Mikola is scheduled to compete in 13 Formula III races in three European countries, Macao and at home on the Sentul circuit, near Bogor.

He will compete in Italy, the Netherlands, Monaco and Macao before returning to race at Sentul.

The 16-year-old said Tuesday he aimed to be ranked among the world's top 10 F-III racers this year and among the top five next year.

"If I can achieve this target, I hope within three years, I can take part in Formula One races," Mikola said.

Mikola finished fifth in the Formula Asia championship in 1995 and 11th in the ninth leg of the F-3 Italian championship at the Mizano circuit, Santa Monica, in September last year.

Sentul circuit director Tinton Soeprapto said he planned to rotate other talent from Sentul, such as Bagus Hermanto, Roy Heryanto and Hari Dharma, into the F-III races after Mikola.

"Participating in Italy means a lot for most racers as they can create good relationships with other racers, improve their professionalism and get to know the strengths of other racers," Tinton said.

Dolly Indra Nasution, the secretary-general of the Indonesian Motor Association, said Mikola needed a lot of support for his overseas trip.

"Indonesia plans to host a world championship Formula One race and it is not enough to be only a host, we should have F1 racers," Dolly said.

Mikola, the son of Tinton, a former racing driver, will leave Indonesia for three months to race in the F-III series.

Tinton held a small party for his son Tuesday. (lnt)