Indonesia's WRC hopes fade
Indonesia's hopes of hosting a round of the World Rally Championship have taken a further knock, with the cancellation of its Asia-Pacific Rally Championship round
The Indonesian tourist board had been backing the nation's bid to return to the WRC for the first time since 1997. The decision had already been taken to cancel Rally Indonesia's WRC candidacy status for the September 25/26 event - and now the whole event has been halted.
The Makassar-based rally had been at the centre of speculation for some time, but, just as the fifth round of the APRC series kicks off in New Calendonia, the confirmation has been received that round six has been cancelled. The event will not be replaced in the APRC, which moves onto its final round in China in November.
A statement regarding the termination of Indonesia's WRC bid said: "While it was BMI's [Bloedus Management Indonesia - rally organiser] clear intention to run a candidate event as close as possible to the FIA WRC requirements and standards, BMI concluded that the huge investments necessary to achieve that level are hard to justify in the current economic situation."
BMI pointed out that, with next year's WRC calendar - including reserve events - already agreed, there was little point in running a candidate event.
Rally Indonesia ran as a WRC rounds for two years, with Carlos Sainz winning both events in 1996 and 1997. The event had been expected to run for a third time before the Asian financial crisis hit the country, causing political unrest and ultimately the resignation of President Suharto in 1998. The event did not run for the next two years, but returned in 2000. This is the first time since then the rally has been cancelled.
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care?
NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care? NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care?
Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time
Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time
Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1
Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1 Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.