JAKARTA - The implementation of the 2026 Initiation Rally Raid Adventure (IRRA) event will be held at the end of this year. One of the breakthroughs in the second edition of the racing event is the mileage of 500 kilometers or more than the previous event.
The race competition, which is often dubbed the Mini Dakar Rally Indonesia, is scheduled to take place on December 8-12. The route chosen for the race is the West Java region, specifically in Subang, Sumedang, Indramayu, and Majalengka.
Deputy Chairman of the IRRA 2026 Organizing Committee, Julian Johan, said that his party hopes that the racers still have enough time to prepare their vehicles for the much longer route this year.
"This is a new racing branch in Indonesia, a combination of racing and adventure. So, with the remaining months, we hope that participants can maximize their preparations more than last year," said Julian.
When debuting last year, IRRA received very high enthusiasm from participants, including those from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and India. The big welcome was also seen this year so that the target participants were increased.
Julian said that in addition to increasing the length of the race route, they also decided to increase the number of participants because they saw a high demand for this competition to be held again.
"Last year more than 70 vehicles participated. In fact, at that time we only targeted around 20 vehicles. Meanwhile, in this second year, our target can reach 100 vehicles, both cars and motorcycles," he said.
The decision to add the race route makes the implementation of IRRA 2026 must involve more stakeholders, including local governments. This is done because the route to be taken requires a relatively quiet path and is free from community activities.
The typical tropical Medan of Indonesia is sure to test the limits of the drivers' abilities. The 4x4 car and rally motor squad are required to have competent navigation, extra vehicle endurance, and consistent physical strength to drive winding dirt roads, steep rocky paths, and cross small rivers.
Julian said that in addition to distance, safety aspects (safety) became the main focus of improvement in 2026. He said that the relaxation of safety rules that had been given last year was no longer valid.
"In 2026, we try to adjust more to the existing regulations. We tighten again regarding safety because it is the most important thing in racing. Hopefully, with better quality of organization and security, this championship can reach an international level," he said.
Budi Luhur University (BLU) is hosting the launch of the 2026 Initiation Rally Raid Adventure (IRRA). This is because the Chairman of the Budi Luhur Cakti Education Foundation, Kasih Hanggoro, is an automotive enthusiast and has also participated in the Dakar Rally in Argentina.
"I support IRRA's activities, which are similar to the Dakar Rally or can be called Mini Dakar Rally. The development of IRRA is expected to be a means of promoting automotive tourism in areas that have natural and cultural beauty," said Kasih Hanggoro, who is also a participant in IRRA 2025.
BLU Rector Agus Setyo Budi said that the implementation of IRRA 2026 in the campus environment has positive values. He assessed that activities such as IRRA can become a dynamic, adaptive, and close to real life learning space.
"The campus is not only a place to study in the classroom. The campus also needs to open up space for students and young people to get to know their potential, develop their interests, and shape their character," he said.
The committee predicts that the registration slot will be immediately invaded by the racers because the echo of IRRA 2026 has actually been heard abroad since last year so that it has managed to attract participants from other countries.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
