Speedcar Series welcomes another Indonesian driver onboard for the inaugural Season. Ananda Mikola has decided to team up with his brother, Moreno Soeprapto in the championship with car number 18.
Ananda has been racing across Asia and Europe, with numerous wins throughout his career. He will jumpstart his stock car racing career in the Middle East with Speedcar Series debuting in Bahrain on 3rd November and 17th November in Dubai.
Moreno will take over from 2008 onwards, while Ananda makes a smooth transition into GP2 Asia that is scheduled to begin in January. Speedcar Series and GP2 Asia will be sharing a race calendar for 5 races this season as Grand Racing.
Commenting on his decision to join Speedcar, Ananda said, "I have dedicated my life to motorsports, and with this series, I want to be a champion. Like the other famous drivers".
While Moreno added, "It’s going to be a great experience for me to drive a new car, since I have driven single-seaters, now I will drive a stock car. This is exciting!"
The duo began racing in the early 90s, with Ananda starting just about a year before Moreno in 1993. Additional to karting, Ananda was involved in driving salon cars and spent the last 2 seasons racing single-seaters in A1GP.
All along, the brothers have had firm support from the Minister of Youth and Sports. Their father, Tinton Soeprapto has been instrumental to their racing career development. They have both been undergoing thorough physical training and are looking forward to the race.
"We are very happy to be part of the Grand Racing calendar, welcoming GP2 Asia and Speedcar Series to our country, and to have our national drivers represent Indonesia in this championship is fantastic. Motorsports is undergoing a major development in Asia.
It is very exciting for Sentul International Circuit to be welcoming this new series, and to host well known drivers in our country. We take pride in our affiliation, committed in every way we can, as it is a definite exposure and a step forward for us to be hosting a good show with international standards.
We aim to encourage the interest of new drivers and at the same time boost tourism to the country", added Tinton Soeprapto, President Director of Sentul International Circuit.
www.speedcarseries.com
The Speedcar Series is a one-make stockcar-style championship featuring 24-identical 620bhp cars. The championship is based in Dubai, and will take place across Asia and the Middle East.
The series will feature a mix of ex-Formula One and international drivers, with Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert, Stefan Johansson, Narain Karthikeyan, Ukyo Katayama, Gianni Morbidelli and Moreno Soeprapto. A prize-fund of USD 3 million will be distributed to drivers at the end of the season, with the eventual champion receiving USD 600,000.
Beginning 2008, with strong partnerships in promoting the championship, Speedcar Series will be jointly collaborating with GP2 Asia in 5 races this season as Grand Racing event. Two of which, will be coinciding with F1 in Malaysia and Bahrain.
Grand Racing Calendar 2007/2008*
8 12/ 04/ 2008 Dubai Autodrome UAE Speedcar Series + GP2 Asia
7 05/ 04/ 2008** Bahrain International Circuit BHR Speedcar Series + GP2 Asia
6 22/ 03/ 2008** Sepang International Circuit MAL Speedcar Series + GP2 Asia
5 17/ 02/ 2008 Dubai Autodrome UAE Speedcar Series + GP2 Asia
4 27/ 01/ 2008 Sentul International Circuit INA Speedcar Series + GP2 Asia
3 16/ 12/ 2007 TBC TBC Speedcar Series
2 17/ 11/ 2007 Dubai Autodrome UAE Speedcar Series
1 03/ 11/ 2007 Bahrain International Circuit BHR Speedcar Series
* Subject to FIA approval
** FIA Formula One World Championship event
- Priya Thangaveloo, Dubai -
