Twelve racers compete in Formula Asia in Sentul

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)