After months of waiting, drivers finally got to feast their eyes — and their wheels — on Indonesia’s first street circuit.

The Indonesian GT Championship got underway on Friday at the Lippo Village International Circuit in Karawaci. While saying the course still has room for improvement, most drivers gave it positive reviews.

Racer Rama Danindro was among those who liked what he saw. “I’m impressed with the street race ambience, especially in the town section from Turn 10 to Turn 13. It’s much better than Beijing when I raced there,” he said. Rama claimed he clocked a 1- minute, 55-second lap. Friday’s times were unofficial as race organizers did not record lap times for the free practice session.

While setting his sights on first place, he said all drivers had an even chance because everybody was on the circuit for the first time. “There’s no racing line yet. If a driver can adjust himself to the circuit quickly, he may win the race,” Rama said. “But my karting experience gives me an edge.”

Veteran driver Aswin Bahar also weighed in on the new circuit. “The track is still slippery because the tarmac is new, and it still has some oil left on top of it. I hope it won’t rain on Sunday. It can be very slippery and dangerous,” he said.

“The course is very tricky, as the distance between corners is quite tight and we can’t get maximum speed. The speed average is not high,” the 63-year-old said. “And the track requires good driving skills. Skill is more important than car power in this track.”

After the official practice finished, construction started again to put the top layer of asphalt on the track. Drivers complained about the tarmac layer in Turn 1 which had already broken.

Aswin said the GT Championship would be a valuable warm-up event for race organizers, who hope to bring an A1GP race to Jakarta next season.

“The organizer can check its preparation for A1GP. If this event goes well, then I guess the circuit will be ready for a bigger event like A1GP,” he said.

Lippo Group signed a five-year contract with A1GP International to hold a race at the Lippo Village International Circuit.

Lippo Group chairman James T. Riyadi said the circuit is one way to put Indonesia on the world map, adding that a planned 600-meter expansion could bring a Formula One race in the next five years.

[source: thejakartaglobe.com]