The Mandalika International Circuit (officially named Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit) is a racing circuit located in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK Mandalika) in Kuta Village, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This circuit has a track length of 4.31 km with 17 turns. The Mandalika Circuit is planned to host the 2022 MotoGP season and also the 2021 Superbike World Championship season.
This circuit was originally planned to have a length of 4.8 km, but changed to 4.32 km with 19 turns. But the design was shortened again to 4.31 km with 17 bends. According to Ricky Baheramsjah, CEO of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association, the corners are reduced due to safety factors: "Too many corners, there is a risk of an accident. Then it is replaced with a straight track to add to the overtaking action." In addition, the circuit design was also judged to be "more favorable to one manufacturer".
At the time of inauguration, this circuit has a length of 4.31 km with 17 bends, with a capacity of 50,000 seats in the grandstand and a total of 195,700 people. Mandalika uses Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) type asphalt which is rougher and is expected to strengthen the grip of the tires.
The response to the Mandalika circuit was positive overall. Carlos Checa, the 2011 WSBK World Champion, considers this Circuit suitable for a World Champion duel:
"It's going to be a great race, a great fight for the title and that's in Indonesia, one of the countries most passionate about WSBK and motorcycle racing. It's a great circuit and country to fight for the title."
Meanwhile Toprak Razgatlıoğlu "can't wait to come to Mandalika". He revealed that the Mandalika's layout "looks fun to drive".
However, some drivers also highlight the dirty track surface. Jonathan Rea said that the Mandalika Circuit was a little dirty, especially on the off line. But others like Scott Redding, Leon Haslam and Michael van der Mark said it was normal for a new track.
The circuit construction plan began on January 20, 2017, where an MoU was signed between ITDC and Roadgrip Motorsports. November 2017, Vinci Grand Construction Projects signed a contract for the construction of the MotoGP circuit in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Lombok. The Mandalika Circuit is planned to start construction in 2018. Vinci built the Circuit with an investment of US$ 500 million. Development is planned to take up 3.6 trillion. According to the Director of Construction and Operations of the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), Ngurah Wirawan, the funds will be obtained from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) loan in stages until 2023. For 2019 disbursement, there are 2 packages worth 900 billion and 700 billion. The target for completion is June 2020.
In February 2019, ITDC President Director Abdulbar M. Mansoer confirmed that this Circuit will hold MotoGP for 3 seasons, from the 2021 to 2023 season. However, MotoGP will not be held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has been postponed to 2022. On the MotoGP provisional schedule , Mandalika will be held after the opening GP in Losail, Qatar, on 20 March 2022. This circuit will also be the venue for the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test, from 11-13 February 2022.
In addition to MotoGP, this circuit is also planned to hold the Superbike Championship and the Asia Talent Cup. The Superbike Championship was originally planned for 12-14 November 2021, but was pushed back to 19-21 November so as not to clash with MotoGP's provisional schedule. The first race of the Asia Talent Cup which was originally planned for November 14 was also postponed to November 19 due to a shortage of marshals on duty.
Pertamina spent 7 million USD or around Rp. 100 billion for the naming rights and also became the main sponsor of the Mandalika circuit. This contract is valid until 2022.
On November 12, 2021, President Joko Widodo inaugurated the Mandalika Circuit and its supporting infrastructure. He then rode a motorbike around the circuit. The inauguration was carried out ahead of the Asia Talent Cup race which was held two days later. The name Mandalika is taken from a local legend, Mandalika. She is the daughter of the king of Tonjang Beru.
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