VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): The president director of state-run racing promotor Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA), Priandhi Satria, has saidthat the training program for personnel participating in Indonesian racing events has been strengthened over the years.

The effort has resulted in an increasing number of residents living around the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, becoming involved in the implementation of World Superbike (WSBK) and MotoGP, especially as marshals, he said.

"In this event (2023 WSBK), there are more Indonesian (personnel and marshals than foreign officers) -- as in the 2022 event,” he told ANTARA at the circuit on Friday.

The number of racing personnel recruited from Jakarta and Yogyakarta has declined, while the number of personnel from around the Mandalika area has increased, he noted.

"Thus, the technical coaching and training (held so far) have improved the ability of each (local personnel)," the MGPA president director added.

He said that most of the personnel and committee members involved in the first implementation of the WSBK and the MotoGP at the circuit — in November 2021 and March 2022, respectively — were foreigners.

"In 2021 (WSBK), Malaysian officers were heavily involved as marshals. In the 2022 WSBK, it (the number of Malaysian marshals) dropped to 34,” he added.

Meanwhile, for the 2023 WSBK, his party has only employed one foreign marshal, since the officer is the holder of a super license from the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) as well as Dorna, which owns the commercial rights for MotoGP and WSBK.

"Dorna has acknowledged that the ability of the Indonesian (racing) officers and experts is sufficient and quite good," Satria said.

He further said that his party has continued to make efforts to improve the convenience of the staff, racers, racing crew, and spectators.

His party has improved the condition of the parking lots and access to the circuit as well as increased the number of shuttle buses for spectators.

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Indonesian Round is being held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit from March 3 to 5.  (Antaranews)