Jakarta Globe, February 2009

Rama Danindro drives to 1st Place

Rama Danindro proved himself to be quick learner, winning Indonesia’S first street race.

The 20-year-old won the Lippo Village Indonesian GT Championship on Sunday, the inaugural race at the Karawacci street circuit. He finished in 34 minutes, 10.781 seconds to claim top spot, beating teammate Sunny Suprapto by 0.938 seconds.

Fitra eri finished 1.093 seconds behind in third place.

Rama said pole position an a good strat were central to his victory. “My car was in perfect condition, and being in pole position helped me a lot. I got a good start to take the lead, and managed to maintain my position,”he said.

Clocking the fastest lapin the qualifying session, rama krpt it up in the showcase event, push ing the pace as the took the lead in the first corner.

But his momentum did not last long. Deva lost control of his car during the fourth lap, bringing out the safety car. But Ranma came out strong once the race restarted and held onto his lead.

While Rama had a race to remember, Sunny and three-time national champion Alvin Bahar Encountered problems on their way to second-and fifth-place finishes,respectively.

Despite his runner-up finish, Sunny said he wasn’t to disappointed as he had problems with his suspension.”I had understeering problems since Saturday’s practice session, because of a front suspension problem. But we decided not to change them. As we only had very limited time,”he said.”In a few first laps, I still had the problem. But when the tires warm enough, the problem started to fade away.

Alvin also experienced unexpected problem with his car. He said electronic problems cost him car power and the three positions.”My car had problems with the computer chip that controlled the fuel supply. The added piggyback conflicted with the standart chip,he said.”Power was down when the fuel ran out very fast.”

Alvin said his team would fix the problem as soon as possible and return to the top of the standings for the second series on Feb 22.

Rama took hom Rp 50 millon ($ 4,300) for his victory, and according to regulations must now carry 60 kilograms of ballast inthe next series. In the super touring category, Fitra Eri crossed the finished line in the first place, ahead of runner-up Harry Pahlawan and 63-year-old aaswin Bahar, who took third.

Prior the race, Minister of Youth and Sports Affair Adhyaksa Dault inaugurated the circuit and thanked the developer for bringing a world-class cicuit to Indonesia.

The Indonesian Motorsport Union, or IMI, chief, Arie Batubara, Promised to give full support toorganizers in order to bring other international events to the Karawaci track.

James T. Riady the head of Lippo, welcomed the IMI’s offer and said good collaboration between the organizers and IMI was necessary to bring bigger events to Indonesia.