Sentul International Circuit

Sentul International Circuit
Location Babakan Madang, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia
Time zone GMT+7
Major events ATCC, GP2 Asia, Asian F3, Formula BMW Asia, Formula V6 Asia
Length 4.12 km (2.56 mi)
Turns 11
Lap record 1:15.686 (Bruno Senna, Trust Team Arden, 2008)

Sentul International Circuit is a permanent motor racing circuit located in Babakan Madang, Bogor. Away from the Toll Gate of Jakarta towards Bogor, Indonesia.[1] Its pit facilities got easy access from the Jagorawi Toll Road. The course (run clockwise) is actually a truncated version of the original design. The current circuit, shortened by 40 percent compared to the original design, is predominantly used for motorcycle racing and the Asian F3 series. Sentul is a relatively simple, smooth, broad track with large runoff areas, enabling non-bumpy and smooth driving at racing speeds. Sentul has a 900-metre (3,000 ft) main straight that allows speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour (190 mph) before slowing for the right-hand Turn 1. The only truly high-speed corner at Sentul is Turn 2. The fastest driver on four-wheel machine can do 220 kilometres per hour (140 mph), and the fastest rider can do 190 kilometres per hour (120 mph) on two-wheel machines. They can take Turn 2 as a complex "S" bend when they get out from the tighter Turn 1 at around 140 kilometres per hour (87 mph). The wide corners allow good passing with various racing lines.

Sentul is located in Bogor Regency. It is a hilly area and a bit cooler than the tropical city of Jakarta. However, the track can still get extremely hot under direct sunlight. It is also humid and wet as well. Such characteristics cause distress to European tuners, riders and drivers who are accustomed to cooler climates.[2]

History

Sentul International Circuit was designed to meet the Formula One motor racing standard. The project was also the first serious attempt outside Japan to meet such a standard in Asia. The vision came to Indonesia around 1990 when Hutomo Mandala Putra, motor racing enthusiast and son of President Suharto, began promoting the construction of a track at Sentul. Racing had previously been held at the short, tight and relatively dangerous Ancol Circuit, on the Java Sea coast in north Jakarta. In August 1993, the circuit was officially opened by Suharto.[1]

While Sentul International Circuit was intended to be Indonesia's Formula One showcase to the world, and indeed an Indonesian Grand Prix was held in 1993 for the Australian-based Formula Holden series as a demonstration. However, its tight corners and shortened length (4.12 km in total) rendered it unsuitable for the fast and furious world of Formula One. The domino effect from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis worsened the situation and made motor racing an unaffordable luxury for many Indonesian enthusiasts who had been participating. The 1993 facility also has been overshadowed by the Sepang International Circuit completed in 1999 with a superior track layout and facilities when compares to Sentul. Sentul does, however, continue to serve as a safe course for drivers competing in the Pertamina Fastron Asian Formula 3 Super Series, Formula V6 Asia, Formula BMW Pacific, ATCS, Carrera Cup Asia, National Superbike Races and similar events.

On February 12, 2006, Sentul International Circuit hosted the eighth race in the 2005–06 A1 Grand Prix season and on December 10, 2006, it hosted the fifth race in the 2006–07 A1 Grand Prix season. However, The 2009–10 A1 Grand Prix season race in Indonesia will not be run at Sentul but at a specially-designed road circuit in Karawaci, west of Jakarta.

On May 9, 2014, this circuit is also used for Top Gear Indonesia test track.

Its future may be in doubt as it lies near several choice luxury housing developments, and its location next to a toll road exit would also make it a prime location for residential or business development. Sponsors have been few and far between since the end of the Suharto regime.

Track description

Facilities

Paddock Scrutineering Driver Rest House Service Shop
Gasoline Pump HeliPad Fire Station Medical Dispensary
Control Tower Fit Hospital Room Media & Press Center VIP Parking Area Main Stand
Sub Stand Victory Tower Main Gate Sub Gate
Parking Area Water Storage Guard Post Cigede River
Power House Hospitality Suites Cottage

Results

A1 Grand Prix

Season Sprint Race Winner Feature Race Winner
2005-2006 France Nicolas Lapierre Canada Sean McIntosh
2006-2007 New Zealand Jonny Reid New Zealand Jonny Reid

GP2 Asia

Season Race 1 Winner Race 2 Winner
2008 Switzerland Sébastien Buemi Malaysia Fairuz Fauzy

Asian Formula 3

Series 2005

Round Race Winner Fastest Lap
10 (Ten) Tyson Sy Tyson Sy (1'24.594)
9 (Nine) Tyson Sy Tyson Sy (1'24.791)
8 (Eight) Ananda Mikola John O'Hara (1'25.092)
7 (Seven) John O'Hara John O'Hara (1'25.221)

Series 2006

Round Race Winner Fastest Lap
15 (Fifteen) Cancelled Cancelled
14 (Fourteen) James Winslow Ali Jackson (1'25.929)
13 (Thirteen) James Winslow James Winslow (1'26.011)
12 (Twelve) James Winslow James Winslow (1'26.447)
11 (Eleven) James Winslow James Winslow (1'26.179)
10 (Ten) James Winslow James Winslow (1'26.167)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sentul International Circuit". asianf3.net. 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  2. ↑ "Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2008 - Round 7 & 8". porsche.com. 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-12-31.

External links

Coordinates: 6°32′9.1″S 106°51′24.4″E / 6.535861°S 106.856778°E