Mandalika Circuit Safe for MotoGP Race
According to a number of riders, the track was much better than during the preseason test in February. However, small debris still occurred and was felt by racers when following other racers in front of them.
The action of Indonesian racers Aan Riswanto (front) and Reykat Yusuf Fadillah (back) in the IATC 2022 qualifying session at the Mandalika Circuit, Saturday (19/3/2022).
The Mandalika Circuit has been declared safe to hold MotoGP races this weekend after the completion of surfacing work in some parts of the circuit. The audience’s enthusiasm for the race is quite high.
PRAYA, KOMPAS — The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been declared safe to hold MotoGP races, although some minor problems have not been settled.
The circuit, which has just been resurfaced, received Grade A homologation clearance from the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) following a technical inspection conducted from the beginning of this week until the practice session on the first day of the Indonesian MotoGP series on Friday (18/3/2022).
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The condition of the repaved (resurfaced) track, namely from the turns 16.5 to 5.5, was the focus of FIM safety officer Franco Uncini and Dorna Sports safety advisor Loris Capirossi during the inspection. The inspection was carried out on the safety of the circuit, the condition of the run-off area, the medical team, marshals and race operations.
The results of the inspection were then brought to a meeting of the safety commission involving MotoGP riders. They provided input regarding track’s conditions during the first and second free practice sessions at the Mandalika circuit on Friday.
But this was still considered to be within reasonable limits.
According to a number of riders, the track was much better than during the preseason test in February. However, small debris still occurred and was felt by racers when following other racers in front of them. But this was still considered to be within reasonable limits.
"During the test [pre-season], the track got more grip but is more difficult. Now, it is flatter and can be used for racing. You can still follow other racers. During the last test, it was impossible," Joan Mir, a Suzuki Ecstar racer, said in the Mandalika Circuit media room on Friday.
Fabio Quartararo, the reigning MotoGP world champion from the Monster Energy Yamaha team, also said that the condition of the Mandalika track was much better after being resurfaced.
"During the test, you lose a lot of grip if you get off the track and it's very difficult to come back. Right now, if you go out [from the racing line], you can still go back and make turns," he said.
Alex Rins, a Suzuki rider, hoped that the grip on the track, which had been resurfaced on March 8, would be better on Saturday and Sunday. It was in line with the increasing number of laps made by racers, both from the MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 classes, as well as the Asia Talent Cup.
“The new asphalt doesn't seem to have much grip, but we'll see. I remember the first day of testing was a bit of a disaster because it was difficult to get grip. However, day by day, it is getting better. So, we have to wait,” said Rins.
The managers of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone and the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) continue to improve supporting facilities for the convenience of MotoGP race spectators.
The president director of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), Priandhi Satria, said input from the racers was one of the considerations of the FIM in issuing the Grade A homologation clearance for the Mandalika Circuit. This is the highest level of homologation clearance and is only granted to circuits that meet FIM requirements to hold Grand Prix level races.
"After discussions, FIM agreed to give Grade A homologation clearance so that we can hold the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2022 [as planned]," said Priandhi.
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The vice president director of MGPA, Cahyadi Wanda, said he was relieved by the issuance of the Grade A homologation status. Previously, there were concerns that the Mandalika Circuit could not be used on time to hold the world-class race following the suggestion to surface some parts of the circuit during the pre-season test in February.
“After the resurfacing, this circuit was used for the first time. So, on the asphalt surface, there are still remnants that will be thrown away when used for training. After being used for today and tomorrow, [this problem] will no longer exist," said Cahyadi.
The circuit will be full of spectators starting Saturday. All admission tickets or about 63,000 tickets were sold out.
On Saturday, the riders will race their motorbikes as fast as possible in the qualifying session to determine the starting position in the MotoGP race which will be held on Sunday (20/3). The circuit will be full of spectators starting Saturday. All admission tickets or about 63,000 tickets were sold out.
On Friday, the enthusiasm of the people to watch the race was quite high. The stands were filled with spectators, though not full. They came since the morning when it was raining heavily. However, the rain did not interfere with activities on the circuit, including free practice.
Curious
Intan Mheutia, one of the spectators, came to Mandalika to watch the long awaited race.
"As MotoGP is new for me, I came to watch it just to feel the euphoria of the race. So far, I can only see it on television,” said the resident of Mataram, NTB.
Many spectators also came from outside of NTB, such as Mario Manuhutu, 38. The resident of Timika, Papua, bought a ticket to watch for three days.
"I actually wanted to go to Sepang [Malaysia] to see [Valentino] Rossi, but I didn't. So, now I go to Mandalika. I'm happy," he said.
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The Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team racer Bo Bendsneyder underwent the second free practice session of Moto2 Mandalika 2022 at the Pertamina Mandalika Highway International Circuit, Central Lombok, NTB, Friday (18/3/2022).
The enthusiasm was not only shown by ticket holders. Residents who didn't have tickets watched the performances of the world's best racers from the top of the hill around the Mandalika Circuit.
“I don't have money to buy tickets. So, just watch from here," said Rahman Susanto, a resident of Kuta, Pujut.
Spectators and racers are expected to be aware of weather conditions. The deputy head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Guswanto, said on Friday that tropical
cyclone seeds would continue to stay in the Timor Sea, East Nusa Tenggara, and were expected to strengthen in the next 72 hours. This could have an indirect impact on the potential for extreme weather in a number of areas, including in NTB. (ANG/ZAK/BRO/AIK).
(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).
