Indonesian drivers clean sweeped the 2019 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) trophies in Deliserdang, North Sumatra, claiming all three spots on the podium on Sunday.

Rihan Variza and navigator Andy Rendy finished as the champions as they clocked in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 39 seconds after 10 special stages that covered 169.53 kilometers.

Rihan and Andy, who raced for the HRVRT Binuang team of South Kalimantan, easily passed Italy’s Fabio Friserio and Giovani Agnese, who finished fourth with a time of 4:25:53.2.

Second place went to another host team Priamanaya Djan and Hade Mbai (2:19:38.2), while the third finishers were compatriots Aldrian Suwandi and Remy Capri (3:48:28.5).

There were only five teams competing in the race.

Rihan, a coal businessman in his day job, said he was happy to be able to take part in the two-day rally, which offered tight competition.

“It was tight from the opening day of the race, which continued in the second day. Thankfully, we managed to win. It was fun,” Rihan told The Jakarta Post after the race on Sunday.

Nevertheless, Rihan was out of luck when it came to Series 2 of the National Rally Championship, which was held concurrently with the APRC.

In the national race, Rihan and Andy only finished fourth (47:21.2) against 60 teams.

Subhan Aksa and Mago Sarwono (46:07.6) of FBRT Sport team claimed the winning title, while Ryan Nirwan and Garindra Kusuma (46:14.1) came second, and Rizal Sungkar and Edwin Nasution (46:45.0) finished third.

Subhan, who had been off the track for two years, said the win meant a lot to him.

“I took some time off for almost two years. I’m grateful I could find my rhythm, which allowed me to push myself real quick and gain the best result,” said Subhan.

He went on to say that the unique track, located at Rambung Sialang Estate plantation in Serdangbedagai, offered drivers a real challenge. The track was once used in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1997.

“It is truly a challenging track, which is perfect if we ever host the WRC again in the future,” he added.

North Sumatra deputy governor Musa Rajeckshah, who took part in the national championship and finished sixth (49:04.1), thanked everyone participating in the APRC for putting on such a successful weekend event.

“We made it. Not just from a rallying point of view, but also in terms of the local people because [the races] had a positive impact on the economy and provided fun entertainment for them,” said Musa, who is also known by his nickname Ijek.

Indonesian Motorsports Association (IMI) of North Sumatra chapter head Faisal Arif Nasution said the province would host another national rally championship in October.

The association also plans to make North Sumatra the host for the 2020 World Rally Championship.

“We already have the experience of hosting one in 1997, so we really hope North Sumatra can repeat being a host for the 2020 edition,” said Faisal.

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