The new circuit is nearing completion and set to host its first MotoGP race next year
Indonesia’s Mandalika International Street Circuit is set to host the MotoGP pre-season testing from 11 through 13 February 2022, the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) has announced.
“It is an honour for the Mandalika circuit, and for Indonesia, to be able to serve as a location for the pre-season test in 2022,” its Chief Strategic Communication Officer Happy Harinto said.
The new Indonesian circuit will be one of two venues chosen to host the premier class pre-season testing besides Sepang International Circuit, which is scheduled to run a three-day Shakedown for rookies and test riders from 31 January to 2 February, followed by an official test on 5 and 6 February.
In case you missed it, the Malaysian circuit was forced to cancel this year’s MotoGP due to the worsening coronavirus outbreak in the country.
As for Mandalika, the 4.31 km-long circuit located in the south of Lombok island in West Nusa Tenggara is expected to be completed by 12 September 2021, exactly two months before it hosts the the 2021 Superbike World Championship (WSBK) finale from 12 to 14 November.
The circuit is also scheduled to host its first ever MotoGP race next year. According to the provisional calendar released recently by promoters Dorna, the 2022 season will open at Qatar’s Losail circuit.
PRESS RELEASE
Indonesia is honored to host the MotoGP pre-season test at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on February 11-13, 2022, Chief Strategic Communication Officer of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) Happy Harinto stated.
“It is an honor for the Mandalika circuit, and for Indonesia, to be able to serve as a location for the pre-season test in 2022,” Harinto told ANTARA on Saturday.
Although counted as a new circuit, the Mandalika Circuit has also joined the World Superbike calendar as the host of the closing series on November 12-14 this year.
Harinto believes this is an extraordinary opportunity for Indonesia, since not all countries can be trusted as locations for holding pre-season tests. Various aspects are tested during the pre-season test, starting from the physical racers, motorbikes, engines, chassis, tires, to clothes and helmets.
“Hence, basically everything is being tested from drivers to test technicians, so later standardization or technological specifications will be applied during the 2022 racing season,” he stated. Most importantly, all MotoGP riders along with manufacturers and partners will come to the Mandalika circuit, he remarked.
Harinto noted that this is an Indonesian automotive asset which will attract the world’s attention. Indonesia should be able to take a cue from automotive industries of other countries.
“Hopefully, the future of Indonesia’s automotive industry will be brighter,” he emphasized. “This is an encouragement not only for the automotive, but also the tourism industry. We should package and manage the presence of a MotoGP class world event properly.”
Prior to Mandalika, MotoGP had scheduled a pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on February 5-6. The shakedown test session will also be held from January 31 to February 2 in Sepang, with attendees comprising test riders and rookies.
After testing the latest motorcycle package in Malaysia, the racers will head to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
