Rifat Sungkar wins national rally title

SUBANG, West Java: Rifat Sungkar was crowned national champion in the 2005 Gudang Garam Rally on Sunday, despite finishing third in the final leg in Subang.

Rifat and codriver M. Herkusuma finished with a time of two hours, 21 minutes in his Proton, collecting 13 points, enough to stave off 2003-04 champion Hery Agung.

Hery won the final stage on Sunday.

Rifat finished first overall with 66 points, followed by Hery and codriver Hade Mboi (63) and Rifat's older brother Rizal Sungkar with his partner Anthony Sarwono (48).

"I dedicate this win to my late codriver, Karel Harilatu," the 20-year-old Rizal was quoted as saying by Antara news service.

Karel, 43, died of a heart attack in September. - JP