JAKARTA - Efforts to build a world-class race track is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and funds to realize Indonesia's dream of having an international circuit. The national racing figure, Tinton Soeprapto, felt it too. He and President Suharto's youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra, had to work hard so that the Sentul Circuit was recognized by the world. Lobbying the International Automobile Federation (FIA) is the hardest. However, Tinton is not the name if you give up easily.
It is possible that the Ancol Circuit is the first world-class race track owned by Indonesia. However, its success did not last long. The mid-1980s was a difficult time for the Ancol Circuit. The development of the capital city is the estuary.
The development has an impact on the race mat began to be rare. While the facilities are getting old. Therefore, the safety of the riders is at risk. This condition made Ancol absent from holding national or international races. National racer Tinton Soeprapto also racked his brains. He did not want the world of racing in the country to be suspended.
He also has the idea of rebuilding another international circuit. Sentul International Circuit, the name. The idea of development immediately received support from his fellow racer, Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy Suharto). He has the same concerns as Tinton. The two of them discussed each other. Because, the sport of racing has a big fan at that time.
The pinnacle of being loved by scholars has arrived. Both are under the banner of PT. Sarana Circuitindo Utama obtained a land grant of approximately 140 hectares in Citeureup, Bogor. The land was used for the construction of the circuit. Specifications, design, and security aspects began to be considered carefully.
"With the functioning of the Sentul Circuit, it is hoped that the sport of racing will be even more lively. Especially with the RCTI broadcast on Sunday afternoon from the Formula 1 car racing arena. So if everything goes according to plan, it is certain that Sentul is no longer a place for handlers to 'throw' rain as it has been heard so far. Because, wherever a Formula 1 car race is held, the audience is bound to be full. So it is hoped that Sentul will splash money later," wrote Widi Yarmanto and Andi Reza Rohadian in their article in Tempo Magazine entitled Sentul Circuit for Formula 1 (1992).
In fact, presenting a world-class racing track is not easy. Sentul Circuit must get recognition from a part of the FIA, Federation Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA). Because, from the drawing of the circuit development plan, it has been rejected outright. Tinton and Tommy moved quickly. Design improvements were made. Starting from the location of sharp turns, straight roads, and others. Engineers from abroad were also involved.
All of this is to realize Indonesia's dream of having a world-class circuit. To support this, FISA asked Indonesia to build other supporting facilities. The effort for the Sentul Circuit was finally recognized and completed in 1993. As a result, Sentul was transformed into the pride of the homeland circuit capable of holding world-class races. GP500 (Now: MotoGP), one of them.
“FISA is meticulous. Other equipment is also checked, such as the track surface must be firmly paved. This means that there should be no pebbles that bounce up because the wheels are turning so fast.”
“Other requirements, the Citeureup Circuit must be equipped with ten ambulances and two helicopters, and an emergency clinic must have general practitioners, surgeons and chiropractors available. Finally, after undergoing changes here and there, in December 1988 FISA officially approved the design of the Citeureup Circuit,” explains AR Loebis in Tinton Soeprapto-Ananda Mikola's book: From Racing to Racing (1999).
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