Wie Wie upbeat on drag race party hopes
Wie Wie upbeat on drag race party hopes
JAKARTA (JP): Wie Wie Rianto of the Jakarta Firna Racing Team
was optimist on Monday that he would beat Canada's Robert Paul at
the Sentul Drag Race Millennium Party to be held on Saturday and
Sunday at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor.
"I lost to Paul with a very slight difference in points in the
overall national drag race championships, but I will prepare
myself better and I'm sure I can beat him," Wie Wie said.
Paul took the national championships crown by collecting 80
points from five serie of the championships followed by Wie Wie
and teammate Hery Agung.
In the final serie early this month, Wie Wie, driving a Ford
Capri, finished first in the Free for All race after clocking
9:699 seconds on the 402-meter track.
Paul, who drives under the banner of the Star Mild Team, was
in second place with a time of 11:035. Third place went to Budi
Permana Putra from the Firna team with a time of 11:326.
Wie Wie said he would test his car on the track on Tuesday as
he needed to adjust the car's engine to race in the evening.
"The weather in Sentul in the evening will be very cold and I
will have to reduce the fuel if I don't want my engine to lose
power," he said.
Teammates Hery and Budi Tohir were also optimistic about their
chances against Paul in the race.
Firna team manager Gunawan Chandra said he would award Rp 10
million (US$1,430) to the driver who could break Wie Wie's
record.
About 300 drivers will compete at the free-of-charge festival
in Sentul, which will not only feature 12 race classes but also
old car and Volkswagen exhibitions. The most prestigious event --
the Free for All race -- is scheduled for a late night time slot.
"It's a very special event which will welcome the year 2000
and will start on Saturday at 9 a.m. and end on Sunday at 3
p.m.," said Sentul circuit director Rio Sarwono.
Rio said the party was originally scheduled to take place in
December, but due to the fasting month prior to Idul Fitri
holidays the organizing committee decided to move forward the
schedule. (yan)