Twelve racers compete in Formula Asia in Sentul

JAKARTA (JP): Twelve drivers will compete in the first leg of the Gudang Garam Formula Asia auto racing national championship to be held at the Sentul circuit, near Bogor, March 13-14.

The circuit's spokeswoman Lola said on Wednesday that the 12 local drivers have participated in a number of Formula Asia races in Indonesia.

"This is going to be a tough race since the 12 drivers have already met each other in several Formula Asia races at Sentul," Lola said.

The 12 drivers include Indra Saksono, Moreno Soeprapto, Stanley Iriawan, Haridharma Manopo, Fino Saksono, Thony Dharmawan, Alvin Bahar, Satrio Hermanto, Dimas Danindro, Arsya, Marshall Yahya and Eris Mahfud.

Lola added that the Formula Asia races will be divided into four series. "We have yet to decide the place and date of the two other legs but the fourth and final leg will be held at Sentul."

Chandra Alim, a former national racer and the organizer, said that the Formula Asia race in Sentul will serve as a selection for those to go forward to compete in international Formula Asia races.

"We expect that we can produce another Ananda Mikola who is currently racing in Formula 3000 competitions," Chandra said.

Ananda is the country's most talented driver and has competed in both local and international Formula Asia races. He is the son of Tinton Soeprapto, a former national driver.

Apart from Formula Asia, there are also national championships such as the Group N, Timor, VW, superbike, sports tune up 150 cc, and 80cc to 110cc motorcycles.

Registration is still open for anyone wanting to participate in the other races. They can register at the Sentul circuit.

Meanwhile, Ananda will leave for Britain, Italy and Belgium to take part in 10 legs of the Formula 3000 races.

This series will run from April 17 to Oct. 1. Seven races will be held in Italy, two in Britain and one in Belgium.

Ananda's first race will be in Britain and he will then go on to Italy. His last race will be in Belgium.

"I hope I win the 10 series as my aim is to compete in Formula I races. I have prepared myself for the races," Ananda said.

Tinton praised his son Ananda saying that he is already familiar with foreign circuits. "Ananda knows all the curves of the circuits."

Ananda's departure for the United Kingdom, Italy and Belgium has full support from the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) and a number of ministers like industry and trade minister Rahardi Ramelan, education minister Juwono Sudarsono, youth and sports affairs minister Agung Laksono and information minister Muhamad Yunus. (lnt)