Rain may disrupt world rally c'ship

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Heavy rain may disrupt the Gudang Garam World Rally Championship due to start on Friday.

Rain in Medan on Sunday and Monday caused slippery road conditions in the city.

Some of the Special Stages along the 1,289km route from the capital to Lake Toba may become slippery and muddy if it rains.

However, the muddy roads will not affect the drivers but will force them to perform their best.

Indrajit Sardjono, the organizers chairman, told a press conference here yesterday that some drivers have complained about the rain.

Didier Auriol of France complained about the different character of each stage which needed special skills to anticipate.

But Indrajit said the conditions would give local drivers a greater chance against the foreigners.

"Auriol said all the tracks were 100 percent completed and ready for the world championships," Indrajit said.

The nation's best hope Hutomo Mandala Putra, who is expected to compete against the French driver, was involved in a minor traffic accident in Marihat, Pematang Siantar during a training session Monday.

President Soeharto's son Hutomo, also called Tommy, will go ahead as planned to compete in the championship.

"His car was slightly damaged," Indrajit said, adding that accidents were common during championships and training sessions.

Indonesia's Dolly Indra Nasution has pulled out of the championship, in which 69 drivers will compete, because his machine is not ready. A Malaysian has also withdrawn for unknown reasons. (21/afs/yan)