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)