Yogyakarta to host world race

Yogyakarta to host world race

JAKARTA (JP): For the first time ever Indonesia will host one
of the 12 series of the World Motocross Championships on July 30
at the Pugeran circuit in Yogyakarta.

The organizer, Nadjib M. Saleh, said on Monday in Yogyakarta,
that the event, the 11th leg of the season, will feature two
divisions, the 250cc special engine categories for both junior
and senior classes. The world race will replace the three-year
international motocross championships series sponsored by Lucky
Strike, which ended last year.

Nadjib said a two-day national motocross championship will
take place at the circuit on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 in an attempt to
try out the eligibility of the venue for the world championships.
All national crossers are expected to take part in the Rp 5
million (US$2,200) try-out race.

Nadjib said the organizers have begun renovating the site to
meet the standards required by the Federation of International
Motor (FIM).

Envoys of FIM's general assembly are scheduled to inspect the
circuit from March 3 to March 6, Nadjib added.

Four crossers from Italy and the Netherlands are reported to
have registered for the event. As for Indonesian crossers, those
listed as the top 10 are scheduled to take part, Nadjib said.

Last year, Damon Smith of New Zealand took the rider's
championships title despite his loss in the season-end leg in
Cibubur, East Jakarta. Final leg winner Oscar Vromas finished
second overall. (arf)