Some 120 drivers to take part in off-road races

JAKARTA (JP): About 120 four-wheel drive cars and motorcycle drivers will compete in the two-day Super Off-Road & Enduro Motocross IOF-Kopassus Bhakti Sosial 2000 in Serang, West Java, on July 29 to July 30.

Organizer Syamsir Alam said on Saturday that the event would feature motocross, trail ride, trail game, flat drag off-road, slalom off-road, mud bogger, off-road racing SODA (Shortcourse Off-Road Driver Association), outbound executive, camping and social activities.

"This is a good challenge for the drivers. We will make the track as difficult as possible but safe for contestants," Syamsir said.

The two-day event is organized by clubs under the Indonesian Off-Road Federation (IOF) in cooperation with the Army's Special Force (Kopassus).

The 120 drivers will be in 70 cars and 50 motorcycles. All vehicles will have off-road tires and equipment. Participants will come from West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, Bali, Lampung, South Sumatra and Kopassus military personnel.

Winners will receive trophies and cash prizes.

Syamsir also called on companies to sponsor the event.

"The sum of the cash prizes will depend on the number of sponsors participating in the event. We would like both private and foreign companies to sponsor the event," Syamsir said.

Apart from the equipment for vehicles participating in the event, Syamsir urged participants to take along their own food and drinks, as well as basic commodities to be distributed to the people around Serang.

"We want to show our concern for the needy. This event at the same time is held to commemorate Indonesia's 55th anniversary of independence and the opportunity for the people to see most of the facilities owned by Kopassus," Syamsir said.

Harry Sanusi of IOF said this would be the 13th off-road race the federation had held this year. The first was in Jatiluhur, West Java, on Feb. 5 to Feb. 6.

"IOF will always help the government popularize sports in the country, particularly off-road racing. We will also help promote tourism in Indonesia," Harry said.

IOF was established on Nov. 22, 1999 and presently has clubs from Java, Sumatra, Batam, Sulawesi and Kalimantan as members. The federation expects clubs from all 26 provinces will sign up for membership. IOF is affiliated with SCORE International Off- Road Racing with its headquarters in the United States.

Referring to the track, Moko Harsono of the organizing committee said the width is 20 meters and the length 2.3 kilometers. Each race will be competed in by 10 drivers.

"The drivers are given a time of not more than two and half minutes to go 10 laps. Drivers completing the 10 laps in the least time will race each other to determine the winners. The track is made of asphalt and mud, both straight course and hills," Moko said.

Interested drivers may register at Roma Autosport, Jl.Kelapa Gading Kirana, Blok H-13, No: 30-31 or phone number 4513377-80 or fax: 4513376.

Registration is Rp 250,000 (4WD) and Rp 100,000 (motorcycles). Registration closes on July 26 in Jakarta and July 28 at the race site. (lnt)