The sports cluster and entertainment project, measuring 120 hectares, is expected to include the construction of hotels and other facilities.[2] As a purposely-constructed racing track with wide run-off areas,[3] it is claimed to be a street circuit as parts may be used in future, allowing normal traffic access to new resort facilities. Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed in 2019: "We've always said that we don't race in a street circuit...".[4]
Nature left untouched from the making of the circuit
As part of the conservation maintenance, the vegetation that provides the backdrop to the Mandalika Resort area will be set aside as a conservation area of over 3,000 hectares. This area with many native species will only be accessible for low-impact activities, such as cycling or hiking to minimize damage to the flora and fauna.[6]
History
Planning
Previously, Indonesia had held World Championship racing in 1996 and 1997 as well as the Superbike from 1994 to 1997, all at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor, West Java near the nation's capital of Jakarta. However, due to the financial crisis, Indonesia was forced to suspend its motorsport hosting program. This circuit was built to increase the number of tourists who come to the Mandalika resort area and introduce new tourist destinations.
In late 2016, Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) obtained the Land Management Rights certificate to build the Mandalika circuit from the National Land Agency.[7] In January 2017, Managing Director of Mrk1 Consulting, Mark Hughes, made an initial sketch of the circuit layout in Lombok.[8][9] On 20 January 2017, a memorandum of understanding was signed between ITDC and Roadgrip Motorsports.[10][11] In November 2017, Vinci Grand Construction Projects signed a contract to build a MotoGP circuit in Mandalika Special Economic Zone, Lombok with an investment value of 6.5 trillion Rupiah. The construction of the circuit was expected to take 2 years, starting in 2018,[12][13][11] however the circuit was not built until 2019.[14] The infrastructure development of Mandalika SEZ, which includes the Mandalika circuit, is planned to take 3.6 trillion Rupiah. According to ITDC's Director of Construction and Operations, Ngurah Wirawan, funds will be obtained from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) loans in stages until 2023. For 2019 disbursement, there are 2 packages worth 900 billion and 700 billion. The target completion date is June 2020.[15][16]
Public announcement and progress
Mandalika Circuit viewed from Merese Hill
On 23 February 2019, it was announced that the circuit would host the returning Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix in 2022.[17] The track has 4.313km (2.680mi) length with 17 corners.[18]
In February 2019, ITDC CEO Abdulbar M. Mansoer confirmed that the circuit would host MotoGP for 3 seasons, from 2021 to 2023.[19] However, MotoGP was cancelled in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and postponed to 2022.[20][21] On the MotoGP provisional schedule, the Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix will be held at Mandalika after the Qatar Grand Prix on 20 March 2022.[22] The circuit is also the venue for the 2022 MotoGPpre–season test, from 11–13 February 2022.[23][24] In addition to MotoGP, the circuit is also planned to hold the Superbike World Championship and the Asia Talent Cup. The Superbike Championship was originally planned for 12–14 November 2021,[25] but was postponed to 19–21 November so as not to clash with the MotoGP provisional schedule.[26][27] The first race of the Asia Talent Cup, which was originally planned for 14 November, was also postponed to 19 November due to a shortage of marshals on duty.[28]
Pertamina spent USD 7 million or around IDR 100 billion for the naming rights and also became the main sponsor of the Mandalika circuit. Thus the circuit is renamed to the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit.[1] This contract is valid until the end of 2022.[29][30]
President Joko Widodo tests the Mandalika Circuit track on 12 November 2021
On 12 November 2021, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, inaugurated the Mandalika International Circuit.[31] He then did a lap around the race track.[32] The inauguration took place ahead of the Asia Talent Cup race which was held two days later.
On 16 November 2021, the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) was formed as a business unit of ITDC to manage and operate the Mandalika circuit.[33]
On 19 November, after the free practice session of the World Superbike Indonesia round, several riders highlighted the dirty track surface. Jonathan Rea said that the Mandalika Circuit was a little dirty, especially outside the race line. But other riders, such as Scott Redding, Leon Haslam, and Michael van der Mark, thought it was normal for a new track.[34][35]
On 21 December, it was announced that Mandalika Circuit would host the final round of GT World Challenge Asia for the 2022 season on 21–23 October 2022.[36][37] However, the race was cancelled in 2022 because Mandalika Circuit has not yet been homologated as a car racing circuit by the FIA. GT World Challenge Asia Championship Director, Benjamin Franassovici, said that the issue will be resolved so that they have "the option to race there next year".[38]
Marc Márquez rounds turn 10 of Mandalika International Circuit during the pre-season test, February 2022
At the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test, held from 11–13 February 2022, the riders revealed some issues with the gravel and tarmac areas of the circuit. Pramac Racing team rider Jorge Martin found the gravel outside the track area "too sharp" and "painful". He said this after falling into the gravel area between Turns 10 and 11.[39] The dirty condition of the circuit was also complained about by riders such as Aleix Espargaro,[40]Andrea Dovizioso,[41]Alex Rins,[42] and Francesco Bagnaia.[43] The problem resulted in the suspension of the first day's test session for several hours for cleaning.[44] The FIM, Dorna Sports, and MGPA considered the dirty circuit to be caused by heavy rainfall the night before.[45] However, as reported by The Race, the dust and gravel on the track was chipped and crushed asphalt material due to the type of aggregate that was finer than the specified specifications,[46][47] and because it was not prepared and used properly.[48] This was confirmed by Chaz Davies, a WSBK driver who raced at Mandalika in November 2021.[49][50] Two days later, it was announced that the circuit surface would be repaved, from before turn 17 to after turn 5.[51][52] The repaving process was completed on 9 March 2022,[53] seven days before the scheduled first motorcycle grands prix on 20 March 2022.[54][55] According to Campbell Wadell, the engineer involved in the repaving of the Mandalika circuit from asphalt surface specialist company R3, the circuit should still require a full repaving.[46][56][57] The circuit was FIM inspected in 2022 obtaining 'A' grade, allowing for MotoGP series events to be run. Previously, it was graded as 'B' at the time of the World Superbike event in November 2021.[58]
Though, during practice for the motorcycle grand prix race weekend in March 2022, new holes began to appear in the resurfaced part of the track, causing both the Moto2 and MotoGP races to be were shortened. Additionally, the MotoGP race was delayed by heavy rain, until the rain abated coinciding with the presence of a shaman flown in for the purpose of repelling the rain. Riders were hit by flying stones, and many stated the surface would need to be resurfaced before the next year's event.[59][60]
Controversies and land disputes
Development of Mandalika International Circuit as of December 2020
On 24 October 2016, Gema Lazuardi's 60-acre land was promised to be purchased by ITDC for 44,650,000 per acre, or a total of 2.7 billion.[61] However, in February 2020, he was sued by ITDC for using the land without permission. The panel of judges at the Praya District Court sentenced him to two months in prison with six months probation. After filing an appeal, Gema Lazuardi won the criminal case.[62][63] Another resident, Masrup, also lost his 1.6 hectares of land. His land was executed despite being found innocent in court, after being charged with criminal offences for encroaching on his own land.[61]
The project was then heavily criticised by the United Nations, due to reports of local ethnic Sasak people being dispossessed of their homes, lands and livelihoods.[64][65] In April 2019, the United Nations Human Rights Council released a report on human rights violations that occurred during the construction of the circuit, chronicling the Mandalika construction, and explanations and clarifications surrounding it.[66] This came after reports of local residents being forced to leave their homes and land.[67] However, the government has dismissed the UN's claims as a "false and hyperbolic narrative."[68] The government has also promised to be transparent and recommended payment of compensation and dialogue between residents and ITDC.[69][70]
In late September 2019, dozens of residents from two hamlets blocked heavy equipment and fenced off the Mandalika circuit construction area, triggered by a land dispute between residents and ITDC.[71][72] The action continued until early October.[73]
In October 2021, there was a hamlet stuck in the middle of the circuit, to the right of the 5th to 8th corners. There were only two ways out, from two different tunnels. At the time, a combination of a rudimentary drainage system and rain created a chest-deep puddle in the tunnel, cutting off access to and from the neighbourhood for a week.[74] The issue has since been resolved and the residents are willing to be relocated.[75]
In November 2021, a video circulated showing the checking of Ducati's racing motorbike in the paddock area of the Mandalika Circuit. The video became a topic of conversation because motorbike checks can only be carried out by customs and the racing team.[76] A few days later, Mataram Customs stated that the check was supervised by them. However, customs denied that the video was taken by them.[77][78] Although reportedly "outraged", Ducati stated that they never gave any statement regarding this case.[79] In addition, MGPA has also tightened access to the pit lane to prevent unauthorised entry.[80]
On 16 November 2021, MGPA Chief Operating Officer Dyan Dilato was sacked after making "derogatory" remarks to marshals at the Mandalika Circuit. He said the marshals were unprofessional for "choosing to watch the race rather than be on duty".[81]
In early December 2021, a freestyle video circulated on the Mandalika circuit that sparked criticism. According to ITDC Corporate Communication Senior, Esther D Ginting, the video was part of making a promotional video: "We state that the action was part of the shooting process for the production of a promotional video of the circuit for the MGPA and ITDC which was carried out by our partner, PT Roadgrip Motorsport Indonesia (RMI)."[82]
The Asia Talent Cup (ATC) races intended for 12–14 November 2021 as a shakedown run were postponed due to organisational "challenges" that needed to be overcome before the following weekend races of 20–21, when it was intended to run the ATC together with the last 2021 World Superbike event.[83] The difficulties were reported as a shortage of track marshals resulting in unacceptably low competitor safety levels.[84]
During the MotoGP series pre-season machine testing in early 2022, Indonesian press reported that local landowners had not been paid for their land taken by the Indonesian government to create the circuit, due to 'Konsinyasi', meaning that disputes over purchase prices could leave them without the land and without the money they are owed.[85][86] Until February 2022, the 3.5 hectares of land that became the 9th corner of the Mandalika Circuit was still in dispute.[87] The land owned by the residents has not been paid by ITDC. ITDC through a press conference denied this. It is known that of the 12 Mandalika circuit land dispute cases, only 2 have been processed.[88]
Layout
Marc Márquez on the start and finish straight of Mandalika International Circuit
As a purpose-built circuit with a large run-off area,[89][90] Mandalika Circuit is claimed to be a street circuit concept, where the circuit will be open to the public when not holding races. Although it is open to the public, only the outer street track of the circuit is accessible, not the main track of the circuit.[91][92] However, until March 2023, the outer roadways of the circuit will not be open to the public, considering there is no urgency.
The main circuit, normally raced in 4.313km (2.680mi) long. Repsol Honda racer, Marc Márquez, said that the Mandalika Circuit has a simple layout. However, he believes the race there will be very entertaining. "This is a simple circuit in terms of layout, but the conditions make it interesting. There is only one line to overtake," he said.[93]
Despite the difficult track conditions, the layout was met with praise from riders, with Honda's Pol Espargaró noting that "it has its own character." "The track is nice. It has a little bit of everything," said Espargaró.[94]
Mandalika International Street Circuit on a 2022 stamp sheet of Indonesia
The circuit was initially rumoured to be 4.8km long,[13] but was changed to 4.32km with 19 bends. The circuit design was then shortened again to 4.31km with 17 bends. According to Ricky Baheramsjah, CEO of Mandalika Grand Prix Association, the corners were reduced and replaced with a straight track due to safety factors and to "add overtaking action." In addition, the previous circuit design was also considered "more favourable to one of the manufacturer".[95] The surface of the Mandalika circuit uses a rougher Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) type asphalt that is expected to strengthen tyre grip.[96]
At the time of the inauguration, the circuit was 4.301km long with 17 corners, with a capacity of 50,000 seats in the grandstand and a total of 195,700 people.[97][98] The Mandalika Circuit pit building, which spans 350 metres, has two floors (some three floors) with a capacity of 50 garages.[99] The pit building can be converted into a conference centre when not holding races.[90] There is a modular medical centre building 100 metres from race control, equipped with three helipads.[100] On 18 March 2022, the circuit was homologated FIM grade A.
In March 2022, the designer of the circuit tweeted that he first configured the track layout at a beachside hotel on a visit to Lombok five years earlier.[101]
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Enea Bastianini, Ducati Desmosedici GP24, 2024, MotoGP)
