PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - Towards the end of the Garut Regency Sports Week (PORKAB) in 2024, a new motorbike road race sport has begun.

The opening took place in the Garut Regency Government complex area, Jalan Pembangunan, Tarogong Kidul District, Garut Regency, Saturday (27/7/2024).

The event was opened by the Chief Executive of PORKAB Garut 2024 as well as the Secretary of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Garut Regency, Subhan Romansyah.

Subhan appreciated the efforts of the Garut Regency Indonesian Motorcycle Association (IMI) in holding the 5th road race at the Garut Porkab arena, considering that Garut does not yet have a special venue for this race so intensive coordination is needed with various parties.

"We have to work with everyone, and finally everyone can give us the freedom to hold motorbike racing on Jalan Pembangunan. That's extraordinary, I would like to thank IMI Garut," he said.

Subhan explained that this road race was also used as a selection event to prepare for the 2026 West Java Province Porprov, with the target of winning a gold medal.

"KONI is working with IMI so that our athletes are not 'kidnapped' by other districts ahead of Porprov. We have committed to Mrs. Hajah Desti (Chair of IMI Garut) to ensure that our top athletes can compete for Garut Regency," he continued.

The Daily Chair of IMI Garut Regency, Desti Nur Syafiyah, said that this motorbike road race was attended by 22 sub-districts in Garut Regency. According to him, automotive enthusiasm in Garut is very high, so this event is an opportunity for athletes to develop their talents and potential.

"Maybe if we are currently on a non-permanent circuit, next year's PORKAB hopefully we will have our own circuit in Garut Regency," he said.

Even though Garut already has a grass track venue, added Desti, there is no road race venue that meets the standards. He hopes that in the future Garut can have a special road race circuit to accommodate the public's great interest in motorbike racing in Garut Regency.

"So that there is a place for friends. Now there are lots of exhausts, illegal racing, so all of that can be accommodated on the circuit. There are a lot of automotive fans in Garut Regency compared to other districts," he continued.

Finally, he explained that the road race participant categories in PORKAB included the individual 4 Stroke 150CC Duck Class (under 20 years of age) and the Individual 4 Stroke 150CC Duck Class (over 15 years of age - under 25 years of age), with a total of 44 participants from 22 sub-districts. (Diskominfo Garut/Fauziah)