Sentul to host 2005 A1 Grand Prix

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Car racing fans in the country will have an opportunity to enjoy a world-class performance by international racers when the Sentul Circuit hosts the fourth A1 Grand Prix from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21, 2005.

The A1 is a new international motor racing championship, similar in format to F1, but racers will be representing their countries instead of teams.

Other A1 race venues include Japan, Dubai, Malaysia, Australia, Bahrain, China, Qatar and South Africa.

"We want to hold the championships at countries that haven't been exposed to the world before, like Indonesia," A1 Grand Prix general manager Stephen Watson said.

The championship would be held from September 2005 to April 2006, after other major tournaments had concluded their seasons.

"It is to avoid clashes with other major championships such as F1, which ends in late October," Watson said.

All A1 cars will have the same weight, power and specifications, with no electronic driver aids, and will be provided by the organizers.

Meanwhile, each team will need to maximize the cars' performance by making the usual alterations, such as gear ratio, tire pressure and aerodynamic adjustments to the vehicle.

The most distinctive feature between the cars used in the A1 and the F1 is that the engine for the A1 is 3,400 cc, compared to 3000 cc F1 cars. On the other hand, F1 vehicles have a 900 bhp engine power, while A1 vehicles have only 520 bhp.

"We will transport the cars from one country to another during the championships, and the racers can collect the cars again at the designated place. There's no difference between one car and another," Watson said.

Participants will come from 23 countries, but there is still space for new racers to sign up, including Indonesian racers.

Watson said the A1 Grand Prix would not only be a racing tournament, but would also be a business opportunity for the host countries, as they would profit through the championship.

"We can estimate that the host can gain a direct benefit of around US$20 million, while indirect benefits can reach about $120 million. We'll be selling Indonesia during the three-day championship here," Watson said, indicating that the country -- and Sentul -- would appear on the map of world-class racing through the A1.