Trying Out The Mandalika Circuit, Jokowi: The Bend Is Sharp And Difficult

President Jokowi while testing the Mandalika Circuit (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Jokowi assessed that the 17 bend points on the 4.3 kilometer Mandalika Circuit in Lombok Tengah Regency, West Nusa Tenggara are sharp and difficult bends.

This was stated by President Jokowi to a number of journalists when asked about his impression after testing the 4.3 kilometer circuit, Friday.

"I think there are a lot of sharp corners, there are 17 corner points and I think everything is difficult. But that's for me, if the racer maybe not," he told reporters with a smile, as reported by Antara.

In addition, Jokowi also admitted that when he tried the Mandalika Circuit, he did not dare to race the motorbike. Because the track conditions were wet after the rain.

"The Mandalika circuit is a new circuit. Moreover, it just rained, so I didn't dare to speed. Even though I didn't dare to speed, the others were still far behind," he said with a loud laugh with reporters.

When testing the Mandalika Circuit, President Jokowi was accompanied by a group of ministers, including Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia.

Then, the Chairman of the MPR as well as the Chairman of the Central IMI, Bambang Soesatyo, ITDC President Director Abdulbar M Mansoer, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor, H Zulkieflimansyah, NTB Police Chief Inspector General Police Mohammad Iqbal, and Danrem 162/WB Brigadier General Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani. Meanwhile, the release of the presidential entourage holding the start flag of the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir.

The motorbike that the President is driving is a Kawasaki W175 motorbike, with a Bobber style that also has a Cafe Racer nuance, by the Katros Garage modification workshop.

The President's motorbike reads RI 1, and there is Jokowi's name written on the tank. The motorcycle is modified with large tires or what is known in the modification world with the type of "gambot tires" and the upside-down front suspension which is usually applied by high-performance motorcycles.

The President tested the Mandalika Circuit by wearing a Rabbit & Wheels motorcycle jacket and black racing trousers, and wearing a local helmet made in Bandung, West Java, with the RSV brand.

Meanwhile, at the inauguration of the circuit, President Jokowi said that the 4.3-kilometer Mandalika Circuit will host the World Superbike (WSBK) racing event on November 19-21, 2021, and the MotoGP in March 2022.

"The Mandalika circuit with a length of 4.3 kilometers using the latest stone mastic asphalt is ready to be used to support world events. Where there will be WSBK soon and it will be continued in March 2022 MotoGP," he said.

In addition to inaugurating the use of the Mandalika Circuit, the President also inaugurated the operation of the 17.3 kilometer Lombok International Airport Bypass Road (BIL) - Mandalika.

"This road connecting Lombok International Airport with the Mandalika area has been completed and used, so that with this road the distance between the airport and Mandalika can be only 15 minutes," he said.