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)