The Value Of Solo Strategic Location, Bamsoet Meeting The Mayor Of Gibran Rakabuming Bahas Plans To Build A Balap Arena

Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesetyo (three from the left) with Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka/ANTARA

SOLO - Chairman of the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) Bambang Soesetyo (Bamsoet) admitted to meeting with Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka to discuss plans to build a motorcycle racing circuit in the Solo area, Central Java. "We met with the Mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to discuss the organization that I lead, namely IMI and the plan to procure a motorcycle racing circuit," said Bambang Soesetyo at City Hall, Antara, Thursday, November 17. Bambang Soesetyo, who was accompanied by the Chairman of IMI Central Java along with his staff, also asked the Mayor to be willing to be the Chairman of the Central Java IMI Board of Trustees, "And Mr. Gibran has also stated that he agrees". In addition, he said that Solo is an easy city to reach from East Java, West Java and Yogyakarta, so that when holding a road race for a series IV Kemarprov motorcycle in Manahan Solo, the participants exploded from East Java, West Java and Yogyakarta because Solo was easily accessible via toll roads. "I plan to procure a racing arena in Solo and the Mayor of Gibran is thinking about the place, which is right to create a permanent circuit to improve the skills of racers and sport tourism," said Bambang Soesetyo who also serves as Chairman of the MPR RI. Because, according to him, it has been proven that what President Joko Widodo initiated to build the Mandalika circuit in Lombok has succeeded in fostering extraordinary tourist visits and encouraging tremendous economic growth. Especially not only in the Lombok area but also in Bali and other areas. So, he continued, many regional heads and deputy cities and regents from all over Indonesia moved to build circuits in their regions. With the hope that this motorcycle sports activity will invite many enthusiasts not only in the local area but also in other areas. "Slalom and freestyle security agencies that do not require large land are likely to be held in the Manahan Solo area, in the future," he said. Indonesia already has an Asian-level racer. Indonesian racers excel in Asia fly their names through freestyle competitions and race track. "Slalom and driving have racers, namely Akbar Raiz, who is also popular internationally, who will later be brought in to join the National Championships in Solo. Hopefully Solo City, which is located in the middle of Java Island, the participants who will also boom," he said. IMI noted that both the Voparprov, national and international events each year average up to around 2,000 events. Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who was appointed Chairman of the Central Java IMI supervisory board, admitted that he was ready and the plan to build a racing arena in Solo was still being considered.