Tommy Suharto's Role Behind The First MotoGP Event In Indonesia In 1996

Tommy Suharto in a Mazda RX7 at a racing event at the Sentul Circuit. (Photo: Twitter@chokingXhazard)

JAKARTA - Hutomo Mandala Putra is a classy name in the world of Indonesian racing. The man who is familiarly called Tommy Suharto is not only active as a racer, but also develops the world of racing. He has big dreams. He wants to bring the action of attracting the "land jet" Formula 1 (F1) racer to Indonesia. Sentul International Circuit was also prepared. The dream ran aground. There was no cane root was finished. Instead, Tommy succeeded in holding a world motorcycle racing, MotoGP, which at that time was still called the GP500.

It may be that Tommy Suharto's actions are full of controversy. The youngest son of President Suharto was able to stick his power in all fields. However, there is no denying his efforts to develop the world of homeland racing.

He's not even new to the world of racing. Rally racing, especially. His passion has been present since he was young. It's a big dream too. Tommy wants Indonesia to excel in national and international racing events. He also often jumps right in. Sometimes as a racer. Sometimes also as an organizer.

One of the formula racing events at Sentul Circuit in 1994. (Photo: Wikipedia)

Tommy's entry as a racer is also full of convincing records. He has a high fighting spirit. Because, in the race arena Tommy can transform into a competitive opponent. The racers of the 1980s who were contemporaries also dubbed him as the King of Racing.

Every race held, especially those held at the Ancol Circuit, Tommy can always be ahead of his opponents. The advantage is because Tommy has the ability to see the capacity of the car being used. For him, racing does not only rely on cars with good designs, but also has high quality when launched in the racing arena.

“When Tutut was at the Art Market, his younger brother, Hutomo Mandala Putra – usually called Tommy – was also in Ancol, namely at the car racing circuit. Mbak Tutut mingled with the children, while Mas Tommy mingled with the roar of the car. Tommy, a 27-year-old bachelor, sits behind the wheel of a race car after a five-year absence. So far he has only joined the rally. Apparently his reappearance is still stunning.”

“In the N Free For All group with a Ford TX 3 car, Tommy drove without a fight from his competitors, including veteran racer Beng Suswanto. Tommy won first place. Still with the Ford TX 3, he won the second place in Group N in the 1,300-1,600 cc class. The record time is 12 minutes 10.44 seconds, only a few seconds from the racer Yanto Budi, who won first place," wrote Tempo Magazine's report entitled Car Racing (1988).

Indonesia's Dream to Host F1

Tommy's activeness in the race arena is not much different from his activeness as a race organizer. This role made him understand that the public's interest was often high when the race was held. Aka racing has always been a bustling entertainment second to none. Tommy also smelled the opportunity to bring a world-class racing event to Indonesia.

Unmitigated. Tommy targets the celebration of the F1 race. The target is clearly not grandiose. Tommy had thought about the event for a long time. Therefore, the main thing being discussed is moving the race track from Ancol to the Sentul area. The move made Tommy immediately plan to build a world-class race track. Sentul International Circuit, the name.

Formula 1 racing is still a dream to be held in Indonesia. (Photo: Formula 1)

Tommy also began to raise funds of Rp120 billion to complete the circuit work. The government fully supports Tommy's idea. Therefore, the audience sees it as a waste. The view was considered lonely by him. He continued to work until the circuit was completed in 1993. Because of this, Tommy's dream of bringing F1 to Indonesia remains alive.

"Maybe we will make 1993 later. I don't know if it will be approved as a world series or not, well, we'll wait. But according to our plan, by the end of 1992 it could be used for the President's Cup championship. That's even if there are no obstacles, in terms of construction, weather, and so on," said Tommy Suharto in an interview with the Automotive Tabloid in 1991.

No Root Rattan Is So

Tommy is optimistic that his plan to bring F1 to Indonesia will happen. Moreover, at that time, Tommy had served as Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Motorcycle Association (1991-1995). He also prepared the Sentul International Circuit with great seriousness. The facilities it provides are quite complete. From the paddock to the drivers' dugout. The facilities are modeled after other world-class circuits.

According to him, if Indonesia succeeds in organizing F1, then the interest of the Indonesian people who will watch it will be high. The audience is big. Similarly, the circulation of money that can occur. After all, F1 can make many people, especially local drivers, dream of becoming world-class drivers.

The plan failed miserably. In fact, complete facilities do not guarantee that Sentul can automatically appear in the F1 car racing calendar. That said, the problem lies in the length of the circuit. Tommy did not remain silent. He continues to lobby. But the result is always the same.

MotoGP racer, Marc Marquez, had a chance to try Sentul Circuit in a Honda promotion event in 2014. (Photo: ANTARA/Andika Wahyu)

In the end, Tommy chose a world-class motorcycle race. Superbike and MotoGP are the targets. The lobby worked. In fact, Indonesia has appeared as the host twice: MotoGP in 1996 and 1997. This success has further emphasized Tommy as one of the important figures in the world of Indonesian racing.

“Sentul is the name of a sub-district in the area which covers no more than 2,000 square kilometers. Because it is short and easy to remember, Sentul is immortalized as the name of the biggest circuit in Indonesia. The facilities are complete, including the paddock, pit, driver's rest room, helicopter pad, medical treatment unit, and other facilities in accordance with the provisions of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile)."

"After being inaugurated, the Sentul Circuit was flooded with automotive events at the national, regional and international levels. Starting from Enduro Race, Formula Brabham and Asia, Touring, Superbike World Championship, and Drag Race. In fact, in 1996 and 1997, Sentul made history by hosting the 500 cc Grand Prix series," concluded Suseno in his writing in Tempo Magazine entitled "Let Tekor, Origin of Famous" (2005).