The road to Medan will vex the best

JAKARTA (JP): The battle for the top honor in the Rally of Indonesia '95 is reaching its peak as world class drivers fully backed-up by their giant car producers re-affirmed their confidence in making the event their victory.

Famed for its turquoise seas, blue skies and the warm welcome of its people, Indonesia plays host to the first round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championships.

Drivers and co-drivers, however, will have little chance to sample the delights of the country, as they plunge deep into the Sumatra countryside to hurtle over narrow, bumpy tracks at high speed in their race for victory.

Indonesia holds many happy memories for those who eloquently managed to claim themselves champions after such a grueling race lasting no less than three days.

It was in this event here that Mitsubishi impressively won the race from 1989 until 1992 before Possum Bourne, on a 555 Subaru Impressa, stopped the marauding Team Mitsubishi Ralliart in 1993.

It was Kenneth Eriksson that scored a memorable victory of his debut in Indonesia last year, in the Lancer Evolution II. Now, for this week's race, armed with the latest Evolution III version, he is confident of a competitive performance.

Other teammates joining Eriksson are veteran Kenziro Shinozuka and Tommie Makanen.

The 555 Subaru World Rally Team needs to strive extra hard in its bid to reclaim the title.

New Zealand's Bourne, first in position for last year's Asia- Pacific Rally, after beating the opponents merely by one point.

He has predicted the July 7 to 9 race will be more heated up.

Ford Team is also showing a major interest, for the first time, in winning the Asia-Pacific Championship. The team will be headed by Finnish legendary rally driver Arie Vatanen, known as the Desert Lion. He will be accompanied by mother of two children, navigator Fabrizia Pons of Turin.

The constructor of world Championships, Toyota, is not participating in the Medan rally, but has confirmed for New Zealand (July 27-30) and Australia (Sept. 16-18) series. The other countries to host the Asia-Pacific Championship are Malaysia (Aug. 12-14), Hong Kong and China (Oct. 14-20) and Thailand (Dec. 2 - 4). (rsl)