Sanger, Hermawan win off-road race

JAKARTA (JP): James Sanger and Kukuh Hermawan of the Indograha Racing Team won the first leg of the Speed Off-Road National Championships in Cikarang, West Java yesterday.

James and Kukuh, who drove a modified Suzuki Jimny, led the championships from the start on Saturday. The completed yesterday's third special stage in 14 minutes and 14 seconds.

The closest tandem, Agus Budiman and Aji Aviantara of the Tranka team, came second with a time of 14:18. The beat teammates M Aprilyanto BW and Max Maphiliano who clocked 14:26.

Tranka, fielding three cars in the two-day race, won the team event with a combined time of 44:05. Indograha Jet Pilot and Djarum Super each managed 45:03 and 47:01 to finish second and third respectively.

While James and Kukuh walked away with a motorcycle for their victory, the Tranka's winning trio bagged Rp 750,000 (US$326) in cash.

The series will move to Medan, North Sumatra in August.

Most of the 56 drivers participating in the Cikarang off-road race came from Jakarta and Bandung. East Kalimantan and South Sulawesi sent three cars each to the championships.

"We just hope to finish fifth here," said Syamsir Alam of the Johans Rallying team from East Kalimantan.

"The circuit is suitable only for small cars like a Suzuki Jimny," added the driver of a Toyota Land Cruiser.

Machroni from Jakarta said the championships was better organized this year. "The organizers look more professional," he said.

Ten cars took part in the champ-of-the-champ event, a special event for those who failed to cross the finish line. The event was not officially included in the championships. (yan)