Exploring the World-Class Pertamina Mandalika Circuit

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

MotoGP racers leave the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta to take part in a racer parade in front of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (16/3/2022). The parade was held to welcome and enliven the MotoGP event which will be held at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, 18-20 March 2022.

Within the next few days, MotoGP racers’ engines will roar on the track of the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The 4.3 kilometer track will witness the return of the world-class motorcycle racing championship.

The Mandalika Circuit was built by Bahrain-based MRK1 Consulting, which worked on its layout, pavement and drainage. The company also built world-class racing circuits in other countries, such as the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, which also hosts MotoGP.

Meanwhile, the tunnel structure or circuit tunnel and race control buildings in the Mandalika were handled by AmSecon consultants.

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As stated in the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) document, the construction of the circuit was carried out between 15 July, 2020, and 30 June, 2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction had been delayed several times.

In general, the circuit has three areas, namely the circuit track, the motorbike racer garage and the spectator stands. In addition to the three areas, there are also circuit support facilities, such as the circuit gate corridor, which can be used as a public space for pedestrians and for taking a pictures; an area for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); a helicopter landing area; a medical center; and parking areas for spectators.

The track

According to data released by ITDC, the track has a length of 4,301 kilometers, a width of 15 meters and 17 turns, consisting of 6 left and 11 right turns. This circuit is also equipped with a 14 meter-wide service road, which stretches on the right and left along the track.

The circuit track has a safety area in the form of a run-off area consisting of asphalt, then grass and gravel. The run-off area will prevent racers who unintentionally depart from the prescribed course from entering the grass or gravel.

KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA

Officers complete preparations at the start and finish lines of the Pertamina Mandalika International Highway Circuit in Kuta, Pujut, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Monday (14/3/2022)..

The straight portion of the track, passes the main grandstand in front of the start and finish lines, is 507 meters long. During the pre-season test on 11-13 Feb., the top speed was achieved by Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati), who was able to reach 314.8 kilometers per hour in the Friday and Sunday sessions.

The Qatar MotoGP series champion, Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing), with a Ducati motorcycle, also achieved the same top speed on Saturday (12/2). From the three days of the pre-season testing, the fastest record in one lap was achieved by Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda), which was 1 minute 31.060 seconds on the third day.

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The paddock or garage for parking and tuning the riders’ motorbikes is the most important place for the riders and crew to communicate in order to get the best settings during training, qualifying and races. The Mandalika Circuit has 50 garages that stretch along the start and finish straight tracks. The garage is able to accommodate all teams competing in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.

The garage area is also adjacent to the race control room, which is used by the race judges to monitor the race. The race control team is equipped with 40 cameras spread across the track and one on the straight track that can rotate 360 degrees and zoom in on visuals in great detail.

Pampering the audience

The spectator stands, or what is known as the grandstand, which is divided into four categories based on audience tickets, namely premiere class with 900 tickets; VIP deluxe with 2,000 tickets; premium grandstand, or stands with roofs, with 21,056 tickets; and the standard grandstand, or the stands without a roof, with a total of 28,578 tickets. Meanwhile, general admission, or the ticket quota for spectators without seats, is 10,000 tickets.

Interestingly, in addition to the colorful seating, some of the stands are also decorated with red and white seats, as in the Indonesian flag, such as in open tribune zone I. There are also two stands dedicated to Marc Marquez fans in the J zone and to Maverick Vinales fans in the K zone.

KOMPAS/AGUNG SETYAHADI

Paving and track surface testing specialists from consultant Roads Runways Racetracks or R3, David Woodward (left) and Campbell Waddell, became key figures in the re-paving of the Mandalika Circuit in the 16.5 to 5.5 bend segment along the 1.602 kilometer. They brought the science to make sure the asphalt mixture is strong and the aggregate doesn't come off, so that it can be used to hold the MotoGP race on March 18-20. This photo was taken at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Friday (11/3/2022)..

For spectators, there will be a shuttle bus that will regularly take passengers around the parking area to entrances 1, 2 and 3. For the premiere class and VIP deluxe class, parking access near the circuit will be provided.

The Mandalika Circuit also provides a viewing area for the government's VVIP area on the observation deck at the end of the first turn so that it will have a strategic position directly facing the starting position of drivers advancing to turns 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The interesting facilities also include the audience area in the Bukit 360 area, which allows spectators to see the racing competition at almost all corners of the circuit because of its high position. In addition, the audience can also enjoy the panoramic view of the beach accompanied by a sea breeze.

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The Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), as the race organizer, and Dyandra Promosindo, as the event organizer, have prepared an area for MSMEs to provide food and drink, which will be available around the spectator stands. Apart from food and drinks, souvenirs will also be available.

The organizing committee will also prepare a live music stage. The audience facilities are also equipped with a prayer room, clean water facilities, toilets and health facilities.

Enjoying the MotoGP race at the Mandalika Circuit will be in tune with the current development in the Kuta area of Mandalika. The combination of the automotive industry, world-class sports and tourism is expected to be able to help restore the local and national economy. (Kompas’ R&D)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.