Success of MotoGP Mandalika

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

President Joko Widodo listens to an explanation from the President Director of PT Indonesia Tourism Development (ITDC) Abdulbar M Mansoer regarding the progress of preparations for the Pertamina Mandalika Highway International Circuit for the MotoGP event during a working visit to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (13/1/2022).

The success of the MotoGP race at the Mandalika Circuit in March 2022 will prove Indonesia’s ability to hold an international motorcycle racing event.

If it passes the International Motorcycle Racing Federation (FIM) homologation, the Pertamina Mandalika Street International Circuit will become the first circuit in the country to organize the world’s leading motorbike race after the Sentul Circuit in 1997.

The international racing event will be a historical record for Indonesian automotive sports. In 2022, Indonesia can put itself on par with other MotoGP host countries, in Europe, America, Australia and Asia. In Asia, apart from the Mandalika Circuit, the race is also scheduled to be held at the Twin Ring Motegi Circuit in Japan, the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.

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The government has showed its seriousness in preparing Mandalika to hold the international motorcycle racing event, with the visit of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and a number of ministers on Thursday (13/1/2022) to the newly built circuit. In addition to check the readiness of the circuit, the President also reviewed various supporting facilities and infrastructure, such as Lombok International Airport, the Lombok International Airport Bypass (BIL)-Mandalika road, as well as accommodation facilities provided by residents. (Kompas, 14/1/2022).

Likewise with the quality of the track which, according to the riders, when it rains, has the best grip in the world.

The potential of the Mandalika Circuit should be optimized. Some of this potential includes its location, which is integrated with Mandalika Beach, the high quality of the track and the high enthusiasm of the domestic and foreign audience. The exoticism of Mandalika Beach was recognized by a number of Superbike riders in November 2021. Likewise with the quality of the track which, according to the riders, when it rains, has the best grip in the world.

The enthusiasm of the audience has been shown by the high number of hotel and lodging bookings in Central Lombok, especially in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (Mandalika SEZ) , which has reached 95 percent for the period 17-20 March 2022. The rental rate of the accommodation facilities during that period has also increased sharply. Prices can reach six times those on normal days. The room rental rate for a hostel on Kuta Mandalika Beach, for example, has reached Rp 1.19 million (US$85), far higher than the normal rate of Rp 197,500 per night.

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

President Joko Widodo, using a custom motorcycle from the basic Kawasaki W175 from Katros Garage, along with his entourage crossed the Lombok-Mandalika International Airport Bypass Road during a working visit to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Thursday (13/1/ 2022).

The most expensive tickets to watch the MotoGP race at Mandalika, which are worth Rp 15 million, even sold out in a matter of hours. There are only 900 of the most expensive tickets available. (Kompas, 14/1).

Health protocols particularly related to the quarantine requirements imposed on foreigners, both drivers, racing team officials and spectators must be implemented strictly.

There are two major responsibilities of the government in holding the MotoGP race in Mandalika. First, to ensure the success of the event given there were a number of problems during the World Superbike event at the circuit in November last year, such as the readiness of the circuit infrastructure and supporting facilities, as well as the readiness of human resources at the circuit, such as the marshal. Second, it is no less important to ensure that the MotoGP event will not become a cluster of Covid-19 transmission, especially with the emergence of the Omicron variant. Health protocols particularly related to the quarantine requirements imposed on foreigners, both drivers, racing team officials and spectators must be implemented strictly.

These two factors must be considered as a shared responsibility, not only of the government, but also the community and the business world. Remember, the proverb “just a speck of tilapia can damage a pot of milk.”

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).