TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has passed Grade A homologation from the FIM, the international motorcycling federation, and has been declared eligible to host the MotoGP race this weekend.

Riders also said the 4.3km circuit is safer than it was during the February 11-13 pre-season testing sessions. At that time, they complained about the dirty and dusty track and the chipped asphalt, in addition to the pieces of asphalt or small stones being thrown at them like balls when riding behind other riders. .

They still weren’t used to the new circuit due to the narrow racing line as there weren’t a lot of rubber tires attached to the asphalt so the riders weren’t able to push their limit motorcycles.

Based on these results, Dorna Sports and the FIM have identified two areas requiring improvement, namely the cleanliness of the track surface and the amount of aggregate, such as sand, dust and gravel or stones. crushed on top of the track. He also recommended repaving sections of the track before Turn 17 until after Turn 5, approximately 17.5% of the total track.

“Based on the results of the track inspection by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), Dorna Sports and IRTA on Thursday 17 March, Pertamina Mandalika Circuit has passed Grade A homologation,” said ITDC President and CEO, Abdulbar M. Mansoer.

“Grade A is the highest FIM grade which also means that our circuit is highly eligible to stage the MotoGP event,” he added.

A number of improvements to the circuit facilities have been carried out by ITDC and MGPA to meet the requirements for homologation assessment under FIM guidelines.

Previously, Mandalika Circuit earned the grade B grade at World Superbike in November last year.

Read: President Jokowi to attend Mandalika MotoGP race

Antara