Undergoing Closed Tests Ahead Of Lake Toba Rally 2023 With A New Car, Some Make Sean Gelael Feel Afraid

Driver Sean Gelael conducted a closed test ahead of Lake Toba Rally 2023. (Photo: Doc. Pribadi)

JAKARTA Racer Sean Gelael tried out his new Hyundai i20 N rally car in a closed test to welcome Lake Toba Rally on September 23-24.

The closed test was held throughout Tuesday, September 19, in the Gorbus area, which does not use the SS (special stage) route because some participants are still conducting SS surveys there.

"This Hyundai car is very good on the Gravel and I really felt its strength. There is one scary area but Hugo and I are happy to be relatively smooth passing through there," said Sean.

The scary area in question is where the side of the track is in the form of a ravine. However, Sean is still trying to go as fast as he can from the edge.

Sean's adaptation process with this new Hyundai is very fast. In the early run in the morning he and co-driver Hugo Magalhaes took advantage of the Hyundai i20 car introduction, but in the second run he was already able to gaspol.

Sean himself then tried several other cars with Daniel Silva. Daniel is a engineer from Sports and You as a technical team for the Jagokanya Chicken Motorsport.

"As usual, we tried a few car suits and I had a lot of discussions with Daniel [Silva] who had just come from Portugal," said Sean.

As for the afternoon to evening sessions, only Sean/Hugo underwent the test, while Ricardo/Gabriel did not continue training.

"I have to keep my energy and the morning session is enough. The most important thing is that Gabriel and I's communication is getting better," said Ricardo, who chose to be Sean's audience.

Because he did a closed test, Sean and Ricardo automatically did not participate in the official practice of the committee in the Aek Nauli area. H. Rahmat, who also drives the Hyundai i20 N, became the fastest in the practice.

The Lake Toba 23-24 track this September is the third round of the Reli National Championship and the fifth round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). The APRC final round will also be held at Lake Toba in November 2023.

Schedule Of Lake Toba Rally 2023

Saturday, September 23

SS1 - Negeri Dolok 1 (10.96 km)

SS2 - Huta Tonga 1 (16.67 km)

SS3 - Tobasari Gorbus (25.65 km)

SS4 - Negeri Dolok 2 (10.96 km)

SS5 - Huta Tonga 2 (16.67 km)

Sunday, September 24

SS6 - Negeri Dolok Reverse (10.84 km)

SS7 - Huta Tonga Reverse (16.42 km)

SS8 - Tobasari Gorbus (25.65 km)