FIM, Dorna and ITDC Agree to Improve Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit Track

 After the MotoGP preseason test at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia Tourism Development or Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) preparing to meet the race schedule next month.

 But after three days of testing, it still has some homework. One of them is resurfacing asphalt in some spots.

Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit

Last week's official test gave the organisation and regulatory bodies the opportunity to ensure the venue complied with MotoGP standards. And assess any necessary improvements before the track's debut on the FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar begins.

Feedback from riders and teams regarding the track layout and safety standards, including large areas of runoff on both asphalt and gravel, has been overwhelmingly positive. During testing, two areas of improvement were identified, namely the cleanliness of the track surface and the excess aggregates affecting parts of the circuit.

Dorna also delivered the results of his review after pre-season tests yesterday. They say there are some things that need to be perfected before MotoGP round two starts. One of them is the condition of the asphalt at turn 1 and turn 17.

The FIM, which oversees track homologation, has been in contact with the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) regarding these necessary improvements. The circuit owner, ITDC has also approved the assessment and request of the FIM. It shows their high level of support and commitment to the sport. All parties have reacted quickly and efforts to repair this are already underway, including partial re-paving of the track.

Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit

Then from the results of the deal, ITDC and MGPA took steps to resurface asphalt. This will be completed with the circuit building contractor, PT. PP (Persero) before the Indonesian MotoGP or Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia is held on March 18-20, 2022.

The circuit will be re-coated in some spots. Especially before turn 17 until after turn 5. It is also ensured to use state-of-the-art world-level technology to ensure the entire surface meets MotoGP standards.

The FIM and Dorna also thanked ITDC for their overwhelming support and quick reaction. All parties also want to assure MotoGP fans in Indonesia, and everyone around the world, that Pertamina Grand Prix Indonesia 2022 is ready to take place on the planned date. And MotoGP is very much looking forward to returning to Lombok.

For information, Mandalika held a pre-season MotoGP trial on February 11-13. On the first day of implementation turned out to be tinged with dirty track drama. Dust entered the track after heavy rain the day before, plus drizzle in the morning. The session was stopped for officers to clean it up. However, his condition did not improve significantly.

But the dirtyness of the track is not the most worrying problem. The riders are actually anxious about asphalt that is easily peeled off, even to create gravel. Not a few riders are hit by rocks on their motorcycles, helmets, and bodies. Many drivers also complained about the bad asphalt of Sector 1 and Sector 4.

Although on the official account of the team or the driver no one conveyed directly. But some outside media wrote how the riders complained about Mandalika's actual condition. They even call this new circuit unfit for racing even tends to be dangerous for riders.

Other riders were also angry because they had to help clean the gravel on the track. He said the business of cleaning the track was not the driver's job.