Sentul to host Formula Cup Asia auto race

JAKARTA (JP): Formula-class racing will be added to this year's formula auto race, when Sentul international track host Formula Asia Cup, a single seater auto racing championship next month.

"Eighteen cars from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, England, India and host Indonesia have been registered by the committee," said Chandra Alim, the committee chairman of the race.

Chandra, one of the country's leading racers, will be one of the drivers vying for top honors. He will be driving under the banner of Djarum with teammate Andre Timothy.

Fourteen-year-old Ananda Mikola, the son of Indonesia's top racer Tinton Suprapto, is other local driver who will challenge senior competitors.

"I think Indonesia has a better chance to win the one-day race," Chandra said.

He said the Formula Asia Cup will be competed over seven separate series. Two of the seven will be held in Sentul on July 10 and Aug. 3.

Malaysia will also host two races, one at the Shah Alam track near Kuala Lumpur and the other at the Pasir Gudang arena. After two races in Hong Kong the event will be concluded in Zhunai, China, with the race track set up on the main street of the town.

According to Chandra, the Formula Asia Cup is one of the stepping stones for Southeast Asian drivers to reaching their ultimate goal - the Formula One championship.

"The cost to race in Formula Cup Asia, which is a one make race, is cheaper than that in Formula One. The price of the cars are also cheaper, approximately one-third of the cost of F-1 event."

The track, located some 40 kilometers south of the capital, was licensed as class A-1 type by FIA, the world governing body of auto sport. The track is qualified for a F-1 GP race (rsl).