Spaniard Sainz makes debut at Medan World Rally
Spaniard Sainz makes debut at Medan World Rally
MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The third leg of the 1996 FIA World Rally Championship starting tomorrow is due to hot up in more ways than one in the tropical Rally of Indonesia where men and machines face the scorching heat and high humidity of Sumatra's jungles.
Hosting a round of the world rallying event for the first time, temperatures of over 40 degrees Centigrade in the shade and 98 percent humidity make this the hottest round of the series.
Also an Asia-Pacific Rally series qualifier, the rally will pass over 27 timed-to-the-second sections of gravel road in the undulating palm oil, cocoa and rubber plantations in the equatorial region of Northern Sumatra.
Prepared for such punishing challenges will be -- among other teams -- the Team Ford Repsol Escort of double World Champion Carlos Sainz, who makes his Indonesian rally debut. He will be partnered for the first time by Gwyndaf Evans, while a third Ford-nominated Escort will be driven by Dandy Rukmana, the eldest grandson of President Soeharto.
The participation of Dandy was confirmed by the committee yesterday, but his uncle Hutomo Mandala Putra, who was scheduled to drive a Subaru Imprezza under the banner of Goro racing team has still not confirmed.
Tommy's participation is still hanging in the balance due to the death of his mother Mrs.Tien Soeharto, a source at the organizing committee said. However, an official who asked for anonymity said: "The confirmation will be decided on Thursday (today)."
Although the 34-year-old Spaniard Sainz won the Asia-Pacific title in 1990's race in New Zealand, and finished second in Australia, he and co-driver Luis Moya have never contested a rally in Southeast Asia.
Ford's experience there is also limited to an exploratory visit to Indonesia last year, but Team Ford Repsol is aiming to strengthen its current third position in the World series headed by Mitsubishi Team Ralliart.
Debut
"I know very little about the rally," admits Sainz. He said such natural conditions were very demanding for both the car and driver.
"Like on the Safari Rally, I will wear a cool-suit underneath my overalls and we have been working hard on the engine's cooling system to avoid a repeat of the problems that arose in Kenya. On both counts it will be important to keep cool in Indonesia.
Debut
The Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea is another debutant here, competing under the banner of Australian Hyundai Rally Sport.
Australian International rally driver, Greg Carr, has joined the brand new three-car HRS team for the event and the three-time Australian national champion will drive a new GpA Hyundai Accent.
Team manager and lead driver, Wayne Bell, the 1994 Asia- Pacific Formula Two champion and runner-up in 1995, is delighted to have Carr back in the Hyundai fold.
Brisbane-based Carr was the first driver in the world to post an FIA Rally victory for the Korean marque when he captured class honors in the Telstra Rally Australia with the original Hyundai Lantra in 1991.
Following the Bank Utama Rally of Indonesia, HRS plans to move to Malaysia for another Asia-Pacific Rally series. From Malaysia it then will regroup for its second World Rally Championship event for 1996 in New Zealand.
Winner of the championship title will receive a replica of the President Soeharto Trophy scheduled to be handed out by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono on Sunday. (rsl).