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Tue, 09 Aug 1994

JP/Russel-Fogerty rivalry to continue at Sentul

Russel-Fogerty rivalry to continue at Sentul

JAKARTA (JP): The simmering rivalry between superbike riders American Scott Russel and Britain Carl Fogarty will take center stage in Sentul on Aug. 21.

The two world beaters are among the 20 riders who have confirmed their entries for the sixth series of the Superbike World Championship. The fifth leg was held in Zeltweg, Austria on July 17.

The Zeltweg race saw Fogarty outrace Russel and take the lead atop the provisional point standings with 118, six ahead of the American.

"The duel between the two and their close rivals in the field will hopefully delight the Sentul faithful," chief committee member Tinton Suprapto said yesterday.

Tinton said the top foreign riders, who include Aaron Slight of New Zealand, Giancarlo Falappa (Italy), Andreas Meklau (Austria), Doug Polen (U.S.) and Stephane Mertens (Belgium), are expected to arrive on Aug. 15 and 16.

The track, located near Bogor, some 50 kilometers from the teeming capital, was inaugurated by President Soeharto last year, and "is ready to host an event of this magnitude. Hordes of spectators from overseas have already made bookings at several five-star hotels in the capital."

Host Indonesia will be represented by 13 riders, most notably Deden Aryad, the winner of last Sunday's Superbike race at Sentul. He and national riders Budi Haryono and Bambang Sudarsono will ride under the banner of Gudang Garam, the major sponsor of the two-day affair.

Deden and Budi will both ride Yamahas while Bambang will be astride a Suzuki, committee spokesman Helmy Sungkar said.

This year's Superbike World Championship consists of 14 stops. The first five were staged in Donington, England ( May 2), Hockenheim, Germany (May 8), Misano, Italy (May 29), Albacate, Spain (June 19) and in Austria July 17.

After Indonesia the championships will move to Sugo, Japan (Aug. 28), Assen, Holland (Sept. 11), Mugello, S. Marino (Sept. 25), Jerez, Spain (Oct. 2), Philip Island, Australia (Oct. 30) before concluding in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Nov. 6(rsl)