Thank The President Of The FIA, General Chairperson Of IMI: World Rally Championship 2025 In The Lake Toba Area

Bamsoet with FIA President Mr. Mohammed Bin Sulayem. (Doc. Ist)

BALI - Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly as well as Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet) received the President of the World FIA (International Automotive Federation) Mr. Mohammed Bin Sulayem.

During the meeting, IMI confirmed that Indonesia had signed an NDA Agreement with the WRC Promoter to start preparing for a business plan and action plan according to the SOP FIA and WRC Promoter. So that Indonesia can host the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2025, with the location of the event in the Lake Toba Area of North Sumatra.

After successfully hosting the FIA Region II Roundtable in Bali, IMI will also propose so that Indonesia can host the FIA Annual General Assembly as well as the FIA Prize Giving. The FIA Annual General Assembly is the FIA Annual Session as the highest decision maker in the FIA led directly by the President of the FIA and followed by automotive associations from around the world. In it there are a number of meetings between FIA member organizations, with the aim of approving various proposals to advance world mobility and motorsports.

"Meanwhile, FIA Prize Giving is a ceremonial gift/appreciation to racers, manufacturers, and the best teams that won various world car racing championships under the auspices of the FIA. Such as the FIA Formula One World Championship, FIA World Rally Championship, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, FIA World Rallycross Championship, FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, and FIA World Karting Championships, and so on," said Bamsoet after receiving President FIA Dunia Mr. Mohammed Bin Sulayem, in the FIA Region II Rountable series, in Bali, Monday (18/9/23).

Bamsoet further explained that the submission as the host of the FIA WRC was not without reason. Given that Indonesia has successfully organized the 2022 Lake Toba Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) which made Indonesia an offer to hold two APRC rounds in 2023. Namely the Asia Cup Round 3 on September 22-23, and the APRC Grand Final on November 24-26, 2023, in the Toba Pulp Lestari Industrial Plantation Forest (TPL) Sector Aek Nauli, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra.

"In addition to improving the achievements of Indonesian Rally athletes and confirming Indonesia's position as the big house of the world automotive championship, the implementation of the FIA WRC in North Sumatra is also to restore the glory of the Rally event in Indonesia. The rally championship in Indonesia has a very long history. Starting in 1986 by organizing Trans Sumatra Rally, then Asia Pacific Rally in 1989, 2000, 2022, and 2022, as well as the World Rally Championship in 1996-1997," explained Bamsoet.

Bamsoet also explained, as well as the plan to apply as the host of the FIA Annual General Assembly as well as the FIA Prize Giving. Indonesia has proven successful in holding various international meeting events and even state events, such as the G-20 Summit and the 2023 ASEAN Summit.

"By hosting the FIA Annual General Assembly as well as the FIA Prize Giving, Indonesia will be visited by hundreds of world car racing figures and thousands of supporters in the ecosystem of car racing championships under the auspices of the FIA. It is very good to improve country branding, promote tourism, as well as provide a large multiplier effect economy for the community. So that Indonesia's position in the eyes of the world's automotive arena is increasing rapidly," concluded Bamsoet.