Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia Ready to Advance the Automotive Industry
Welcoming the excitement of MotoGP 2021, Indonesia does not want to be a spectator in its own home. Therefore, the Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia was formed, which is an Indonesian racing team ready to showcase its skills in the Moto2 class.
Recently, the Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia (MRTI) became a hot topic after its launch agenda on Youth Pledge Day, October 28, 2020, at the Ministry of Youth and Sports office failed. The Ministry of Youth and Sports did not grant permission as it was not within its authority.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports also emphasized that the leading sector for the preparation and organization of MotoGP 2021 in Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara, is the authority of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, so the Ministry of Youth and Sports does not want to exceed its authority. However, the Ministry of Youth and Sports continues to coordinate with the parent organization, in this case, the Indonesian Motorcycle Association (IMI), regarding the readiness of riders for MotoGP 2021. The MRTI launch schedule has also been rescheduled for November 9.
Raffi Ahmad as Brand Ambassador
The postponement of the Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia launch schedule did not change its concept. Initially, it only wanted to introduce the management structure, but MRTI will introduce artist Raffi Ahmad as the brand ambassador.
The chairman of MRTI, Muhammad Rapsel Ali, stated that Raffi Ahmad's popularity as a top artist and motorcycle enthusiast will greatly help boost the progress of the automotive industry in Indonesia and make it more widely known.
The existence of Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, also indicates that the automotive industry is not just a business realm (buying and selling motorcycles and cars), but also as entertainment, sports, and the development of automotive technology in the country.
Indonesian Riders in MotoGP 2021, Dimas Ekky Pratama and Andi Farid Izdihar
Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia has chosen Dimas Ekky Pratama as the team's rider. He will compete in the Moto2 class at MotoGP Indonesia 2021. Dimas was selected because he is currently the best rider that the country has.
Dimas Ekky Pratama is no stranger to the Moto2 class, as he has raced in this class for a full season in 2019.
Meanwhile, Indonesia also places another rider in the Moto2 class, namely Andi Farid Izdihar. The rider born in Bulukumba replaces Dimas Ekky Pratama in the Idemitsu Honda Team Asia.
Long-Term Project, Will Become an Indonesian Racing Academy!
The establishment of Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia is not just about finding talented riders. It is also prepared to become a racing academy that will train skills and courage from an early age with intensive and more systematic training.
Thus, in the future, young riders with talent and ability will no longer have difficulty trying out racing events at the National, Asian, and International levels. This idea has been well received by the Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali and has received support from several state-owned enterprises such as Pertamina, Garuda Indonesia, and Telkom as sponsors.
“Our young talents must be launched through structured coaching and opportunities to compete at the highest level. This is what Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia is currently building,” said Rapsel Ali in his press statement.
As an academy, Mandalika Racing Team Indonesia will conduct coaching and training for riders under the auspices of IMI as the federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports as the "parent" of all sports branches in the country.
Author: Dinno Baskoro
