Indonesia ends WRC interest

10th August 2010

By Richard Rodgers

Rally Indonesia will go ahead as planned from September 25-26 despite organisers withdrawing its world championship candidacy application due to concerns their bid to rejoin the WRC will never be realised.

Indonesia last hosted a round of the global series in 1997 when Carlos Sainz claimed victory in a works Ford Escort.

In March this year, Jeffrey JP, boss of event promoter PT Bloedus Management Indonesia (BMI), confirmed the country’s Asia Pacific round would be observed for future inclusion in the WRC.

However, after being omitted from the 2011 WRC schedule and with no firm indication that the gravel event would get a look in the following season, the assessment process will no longer take place.

A statement from BMI said: “It is with much regret that, in agreement with Indonesia’s national sporting authority, Ikatan Motor Indonesia, BMI decided to ask the FIA the cancellation of the candidacy of Rally Indonesia 2010.

“Regardless to the result of the observation, there are no chances for an inclusion in the 2011 calendar, which has already been approved, with reserves. Should the result of the observation be positive, there is no clear indication on if and when an inclusion in the calendar will be possible and according to which criteria.”

The statement did suggest a new application could be submitted in the future when Indonesia’s economic recovery is complete.

Rally Indonesia counts as round six of the APRC. After four events, Katsu Taguchi leads Guarav Gill by three points. The next round is in New Caledonia from August 28-29.