Collaborating With Portugal's Navigator At Lake Toba Rally 2021, Sean Gelael: First Time To Work Together, Hopefully Maximum Results

Sean Gelael (center) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The racer Sean Gelael took the Portuguese navigator Hugo Ismael specifically to compete in the National Rally Championship rounds 1 and 2 with the title Lake Toba Rally 2021 in Aek Naoli, Parapat, Simalungun, North Sumatra, 11-12 December.

One of the reasons the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship runner-up does this is to maximize their abilities and excite racing, especially rallying in the country.

"It's the same with Hugo for the first time (collaborating). Hopefully the results will be maximum in the next race," said Sean Gelael as quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

For the Jagonya Ayam racer, taking part in a race where the track has been used for the world championship or WRC 1996-1997 is not the first because in 2019 he also participated with navigator Tony Sircombe. For the vehicle remains Citroen C3 R5.

At the Lake Toba Rally 2021, Sean actually wants to bring in foreign racers such as Stoffel Vandoorne, Tom Blomqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi. Unfortunately, the implementation of the Toba Rally clashed with their agenda. Antonio is still having his last race in Formula 1 with the Alfa Romeo team in Abu Dhabi.

"I want it like that (inviting foreign riders). But the schedule is clashing. Hopefully for the next race it can be," said the rider who has known rallying since he was a child.

The son of the couple Ricardo and Rini Gelael explained that the desire to bring in foreign racers was not without reason. Sean wants to show that in Indonesia there is competition and the competition is tight.

"Let them know. We want, in the future, many international races will be held. We have hosted both the APRC and WRC. Hopefully it can come back," said the 25-year-old racer.

In this race, Sean Gelael had to face many rivals, including the 2006 national rally champion, Ricardo Gelael. In addition there is Subhan Aksa to the Deputy Governor of North Sumatra, Musa Rajekshah or who is familiarly called Ijeck.

"You come down so I have an opponent," said Sean Gelael with a laugh. "You are really ready, you know. Physical exercise too," he added.

The first round of Lake Toba Rally 2021 is divided into three Special Stages (SS). SS 1 as far as 9.62 km, SS 2 as far as 14.74 km and SS 3 with a distance of 15.36 km. While the second round was divided into three SS, namely SS 1 with a distance of 15.23 km, SS 2 with 14.70 km and SS 3 with a distance of 9.48 km. There are 56 riders who will show their abilities.