Learning From Malaysia, Mandalika Circuit Must Consistently Hold MotoGP

Automotive observer Arief Kurniawa (right)

JAKARTA – Automotive observer Arief Kurniawan said that the Mandalika race must be held consistently. Indonesia is asked to learn from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, which is an active host.

This was conveyed by Arief at the Special Show: Qatar MotoGP Highlight & Grand Prix Preview of Indonesia” at Epiwalk Mall, Jakarta, Monday, March 7. Apart from Arief, there was also the legendary Indonesian racer Ahmad Jayadi.

“You have to be consistent in working on big events. Malaysia from 1991 until now and they have used three circuits. If Indonesia wants to last forever, we want to see it, it must be more than that," said Arief on Monday, March 7.

Indonesia will again host MotoGP after 25 years of vacuum. The last time this prestigious race was held in Indonesia was in 1997 at the Sentul Circuit, Bogor, West Java.

Arief hopes that whoever becomes the leader must be able to maintain MotoGP in Indonesia. He said that if he consistently held races, Indonesia's position in international races would strengthen.

"Whoever is the leader of Mandalika must keep going. For the maintenance of Mandalika, we can learn from the Sepang Circuit, the Chang International Circuit (Thailand), the Phillip Island Circuit, and the Abu Dhabi Circuit," he said.

The Mandalika Circuit will be the second MotoGP series this season which will take place on March 18-20 closest. Currently, the Mandalika track is being re-paved following the directions from Dorna Sport and the FIM based on the evaluation results after the pre-season test last February.

This MotoGP season has started at the Qatar Circuit on March 4 last and finished Sunday, March 6 yesterday.

Ducati's Enea Bastianini managed to lock onto the first podium, followed by KTM's Brad Binder in second, and Repsol Honda's Pol Espargaro completed the third.