Rain may disrupt world rally c'ship

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 A Malaysian has also withdrawn for unknown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)