Tony crashes but rateins rally title

JAKARTA (JP): A last-ditch collision cost Tony Hardianto a season-ending victory in Bandar Lampung Sunday, but it did not cost him his national rally championship throne.

Pacesetter Tony was on the way to his second win of the year when his speeding Subaru Impreza smashed into a ditch on the 15th and last special stage of Sunday's race at Way Berulu. The accident enabled Arief Indiarto, who had been trailing Tony since the outset on Saturday, to clinch the title in two hours, two minutes and seven seconds.

Okky Harwanto finished second in 2:02:37, ahead of Ricardo Gelael who completed the 180-kilometer course in 2:02:51.

The victory boosted Arief's championship ranking points to 34, still a far cry from threatening Tony's 45 points.

Tony and his co-driver Antony Sarwono had their second successive championship title assured Saturday when their closest rivals, Hutomo Mandala Putra and his co-driver Jeffry, retired in the second stage with engine trouble.

Hutomo, President Soeharto's youngest son, had to be content with the overall runner-up spot behind Tony on 42.5, with Arief finishing third.

Arief, the 1990 national champion, insisted that his first win of the year was just a matter of luck. "Had Tony cleared the final stage, I would have missed out on the top honor," he said.

Ricardo, Hutomo's Gudang Garam Goro teammate, admitted the exceptional challenges he dealt with during the final quarter of the four-leg championship series. "I found it difficult to control my car on such a bumpy gravel track," said Ricardo.

Only nine of the 20 drivers registered for the race crossed the finish line on Sunday.

Overall champion Tony took home a Timor car, a product of Hutomo's national automotive company. (amd)