Indonesia will be a mudfest... again...

https://mxvice.com/78793/the-starter-mxgp-of-indonesia

Well the locals say it is the dry season

I hope Luongo doesn't get hurt falling off the stack of money he is sitting on for whoring out his series to a 3rd world country.

The second Indonesian round in Semarang will be sunny.

If ever there was a time for a riders union...

JH should take a stand and refuse race

OMG!!!!!! What a complete slop-fest. Why do they continue to schedule these here? and there will most likely be another slop-fest next weekend too.

Reminds me of the Seattle SX. They know it’s gonna have shitty weather but keep going anyways. Bummer for the Indonesian fans.

Holy shit.... What a joke of a circuit. I mean, good for the few local fans who actually get pumped about the GP's coming to their country, but for fucks sake, keeping this circuit on the schedule just reeks of corruption. Is it the riders, or the manufacturers that should really be putting their foot down on this????

Well, here's a podcast with David Luongo where does his best to sell the story about MXGP needing to go to fly-away locations like Indonesia:

https://mxvice.com/78780/pre-race-podcast-david-luongo

On one hand I understand his reasons about emerging markets, but if you can't guarantee a good venue with a raceable track then it really starts to feel like they are just collecting money, despite his claims of being passionate about the sport.

Some other nuggets in there near the end about Glen Helen and Red Bud MXoN. Kudos to Lewis from MX Vice for doing these podcasts. His site really does a good job for the English speaking MXGP fans.

The basic vibe of a local fair race, mud PITS included.

Going to Asia makes 100% sense and the people who don't understand why are completely blind.

But with that said. Going to a place like Indonesia is a problem because it rains all the time, a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if we see only the first motos raced this weekend just like last year.

It's not worth it if the venue and conditions are good enough.

reminds me of the time Meg saw James Bubba Stewart nac-nac whip at the X-games

There's a difference in going to "emerging markets" like Vietnam, India, China, Singapore, South Korea etc but MXGP will not make Indonesia an "emerging market" nor will Indonesia's market do fuck all of anything to propel MXGP in to the future.

https://www.mxgp.com/motocross/news/‘semakin-di-depan’-joins-monster-energy-yamaha-factory-mxgp-indonesian-grand-prix-rounds

‘Semakin di Depan’ Joins Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP at Indonesian Grand Prix Rounds

The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team and Yamaha Motor Europe will celebrate their fruitful relationship with Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) and the Indonesian fans by racing the Indonesian rounds of MXGP, in Pangkal Pinang and Semarang, with a special livery dedicated to the Asian market.

Factory Riders Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek's special livery will be complete with the 'Semakin di Depan' logo. "Semakin di Depan" is the spirit of Yamaha Indonesia, it means "one step ahead" and is a philosophy that embodies everything that Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM) is trying to achieve.

Under the spirit of the 'Semakin di Depan' motto and as an Official Sponsor of the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, Yamaha's R3 bLU cRU Challenge, and now with added support to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team, YIMM is continuously highlighting its dedication to the growth and strength of Yamaha's racing community and the Yamaha Family.

The Indonesian rounds of the Motocross Grand Prix will take place back-to-back on the weekends of July 1st and July 8th at two different tracks and locations in Indonesia. The first of the Indonesian GP's will take place at a circuit that hosted its maiden round last year, Pangkal Pinang, while the second venue is completely unfamiliar, it is a new track in Semarang and it will make its MXGP debut on July 7th and 8th.

Mr. Minoru Morimoto, Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing President: "The increased enthusiasm surrounding MXGP in Indonesia is a solid reflection of the booming off-road market in our country. It is a great honor to support the world's top MXGP riders with our spirit "Semakin di depan" as we feel that the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team embodies this spirit too. We believe that it is this spirit that fascinates the millions of fans in Indonesia, and we look forward to seeing a positive reaction from the fans at the next two rounds of the Motocross Grand Prix as a result."

Mr. Erik Eggens, Yamaha Motor Europe MX Racing Manager: "Last year the FIM Motocross World Championship returned to Indonesia with one event, and that has already increased to two rounds in 2018, which is a solid indication of how popular motocross racing in becoming in Asia. This is a fantastic opportunity for Yamaha Motor Europe and Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing to join forces and have the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team representing Yamaha Indonesia's spirit "Semakin di Depan" over the next two weekends in Pangkal Pinang and Semarang. This also presents a good opportunity to grow the off-road side of motorcycle racing and awareness, and it is something we are really looking forward to."

Asia makes sense, but Asia is very big and Indonesia makes little sense. China or Japan seem logical.

They have raced GPs there in the past without these conditions

https://youtu.be/adjRL9jO5mI

This one too. 125s in the dust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdtGc_3k-iQ

Hmmm. Emerging market for what? Mopeds and 250cc whatevers. The only market that is expanding there is cheap fuel efficient livestock and commodity haulers. Moto doesn't even figure in the equation...except to line someone's pocket.

It’s bloody rain season in Asia right now! It’s lashing down!! Typhoon season is upon us also..lol
Wrong time of year to go to Asia.

Im no a Herlings fan so if they only run one moto, that will suck for Tonys championship hopes

It's in an odd location... not even near Jakarta, on the main island.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/MXGP+Indonesia+Areas+Sport+Center+Gor…

At least when it rains the locals get to stop and wash their bikes:



I did actually see a Husqvarna in Bali a few years ago:

AStar flops, Tech 0.7's

How'd you like to shift gears in those??

The track actually looks fine, and the Qualifying Highlights are posted on youtube..



Here's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIwfypo3iPY