Preparations Complete, Coordinating Minister Airlangga: NTB Ready To Hold MotoGP This Week

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government has ensured that the international motorcycle racing event, MotoGP, is ready to be held in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) this weekend. Various preparations have been completed, including the re-paving of the 1.6 kilometer circuit.

For your information, MotoGP will be held at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, NTB from 18 to 21 March 2022.

"The MotoGP is ready, including re-asphalt in T17-T5 along 1.6 kilometers," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto at a press conference, Jakarta, Monday, March 14.

The re-paving was carried out because the asphalt of the Mandalika Circuit peeled off during a pre-season test in February 2022.

Regarding vaccination, said Airlangga, NTB as the host of MotoGP has also exceeded the government's target. The first dose of vaccine has been injected into 93.3 percent of the population. Meanwhile, the second dose of vaccine has reached 75.1 percent. While the third vaccine or booster has reached 4.5 percent.

In addition, Airlangga said that the government implemented PPKM level 1 in NTB. Thus, the first world motorcycle racing event in Indonesia could be held from March 18 to 20 this month.

"So it's ready for MotoGP next week," he said.

Circuit asphalt quality as required by FIM

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir directly checked the results of the re-paving of the Mandalika circuit. Erick said that the asphalting of the Mandalika circuit involved paving and testing of racing track coating experts, namely Campbell Waddell and David Woodward,

"Alhamdulillah, the repair of this circuit track can be completed with the quality requested by the International Motorcycle Racing Federation (FIM)," he said, quoted from his official Instagram @erickthohir, Sunday, March 13.

Erick mangaku is satisfied with the results of the re-paving of the Mandalika circuit. He also said he would provide an unforgettable experience related to the MotoGP event at the Mandalika Circuit.

"We will provide an unforgettable experience for the racers and spectators present. Bismillah," he said.

Previously, Erick also said that the MotoGP event, which was held in Mandalika, Lombok, NTB, was an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its brand as a tourism country in the world.

"This is our opportunity to strengthen our national brand in the eyes of the world as a tourism country," said Erick.