Mick Doohan GP500 Sentul 1996 Victory, Redeem Failure In Malaysia

Mick Doohan, an Australian motorcycle racer who won five times the GP500 which is currently called MotoGP. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The euphoria of the 1996 Sentul GP500 world-class motorcycle race (now: MotoGP) is not solely owned by Indonesia. Other world racers also get involved. Michael “Mick” Doohan, one of them. He has a beautiful memory when he competed in the pride of Indonesia. Doohan looks stunning. He was able to dominate the Sentul Circuit. Therefore, he climbed the podium as the winner of the first MotoGP title in Indonesia. What's more special, the trophy he won was handed over directly by the President of Indonesia, Suharto.

Indonesia once had a world-class racing arena. Ancol Circuit, the name. The race track is able to accommodate young Indonesian talents who are passionate about racing. A series of famous Indonesian racers emerged from the 1970s to the early 1980s. Among others, Hengky Irawan, Saksono, Karsono, and Tinton Soeprapto.

Their action driving a racing car is always awaited. Therefore, racing is often a popular entertainment for the general public. Every time there is a racing event in Ancol – international or national – the audience is overwhelming. Whether watching with a ticket, or not.

However, the success of the Ancol Circuit did not last long. The mid-1980s was a difficult time for the Ancol Circuit. Race events are rare. The narrowing of the circuit arena due to development is considered the main source. local residents began to be disturbed by the roar of racing engines. The condition was exacerbated by the absence of Ancol holding national or international races.

Mick Doohan at the launch of the Mandalika MotoGP in Jakarta in 2019. (Photo: Doc. MGPA)

Suharto's youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra, immediately took a stand. He acts as the savior of the homeland racing world. He also initiated the emergence of the Sentul International Circuit which was completed in 1993. The presence of the circuit brought a blessing to Indonesia. A series of world-class racing events have begun to pave the way in Sentul. The most prestigious motorcycle race in the world, MotoGP, especially.

“Sentul is the name of a sub-district in the region which covers an area of 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).

Mick Doohan's win

A new history is present at Sentul Circuit. Indonesia is hosting the MotoGP for the first time. Sentul Circuit - according to the MotoGP race calendar - is placed as the second circuit out of 16 circuits tested by MotoGP riders. Those who will try out the circuit are made enthusiastic. Mick Doohan, one of them.

The Australian racer who is under the banner of the Repsol Honda team makes the Sentul MotoGP series a proving ground. A proof that he can return to the path of world champions. Because, in the first GP500 series at the Shah Alam Circuit, Malaysia, Doohan was only in fifth place. He also set a high target: podium one.

Doohan's intention was already seen in the trial phase which was held in Sentul on 5-7 and 12-15 February 1996. However, on the last day Doohan had difficulty conquering the Sentul Circuit. The rain in the circuit became the estuary. The bad weather made him have time to disturb his confidence. But Doohan didn't give up.

On the decisive day, April 7, 1996, Doohan wanted to conquer Sentul Circuit once again. He then drove his motorbike almost without a fight. Doohan was able to devour 30 laps of the 3.965 km Sentul race track with a time of 43 minutes 50.798 seconds and a speed of 163.807 km/hour. Followed by Alex Barros in second position. Loris Capirossi was content to be in third position.

Mick Doohan was injured in 1999, which forced him to retire from MotoGP. (Photo: FoxSports/News Limited)

The victory was so memorable for Doohan. The racing atmosphere in Sentul really helped him conquer the circuit. He also always remembers the victory which he thinks is a triumph, even to this day.

"It feels fantastic that MotoGP can be held again in Indonesia, with such a huge fan base not only from MotoGP but also from the manufacturers," recalled Doohan in 2009, quoted by Antara.

Mick Doohan's victory amazed all the spectators present at the Sentul Circuit. President Suharto was also included in it. Suharto really enjoyed Doohan's action on the asphalt in Sentul. Therefore, Suharto did not waste the momentum of giving the prizes. He acted to give an award in the form of a winning trophy directly to Doohan as the winner.

This opportunity not only allowed Suharto to interact directly with Doohan, but also made Suharto's face appear on the front page in various mass media. Her posing faces with all three winners, Michael Doohan (Australia), Alex Barros (Brazil), and Loris Capirossi (Italy) appear everywhere. It spreads to all corners of the country. As a sign the race at Sentul Circuit was a huge success.

“President Suharto has often witnessed sports matches live. But giving awards directly to winners is a very rare thing."

"The organizing committee for the Marlboro Indonesian Grand Prix as well as the Doohan racer who won the race deserves honor, because Pak Harto was willing to witness the race and hand over the award directly," wrote the Kompas Daily report entitled Dari Pak Harto for Doohan (1996).