From a Participating Team to a Fighting Team

In 2007, Doni is competing full-time in the GP250 class of the All Japan Road Race Championships. Compared to last season’s spot entry in the GP125 class, this year is a more serious season effort on the challenging road toward the World GP.

Doni has grown 6 cm since last year and at times you can see the greater maturity in his expression. Especially just before he is about to go out on the track, there is something in his expression that makes him hard to approach. There is no longer any of last year’s lost look of insecurity about where he belongs. Before a run, he now builds his concentration at his own pace. The YPIRT team members also have a sharper look on their faces than last year. In the seriousness the mechanics show when doing their tasks, you can sense their desire to get Doni to the World GP.

That is especially visible in the more adroit work and the more serious face of the team’s chief mechanic, Hamzah. In motorcycle racing the spotlight is often on the rider, but it is actually a sport that relies completely on a team effort. The machine that the rider rides must first be tuned to perfect condition by the mechanics. Doni’s progress as a rider will not be enough to get team to the World GP. It will require progress by every member of YPIRT. The expressions on the team’s faces show that they are changing from a participating team to a fighting team.

When he is away from racing, Doni remains himself. There is still playful youth in the smile as he jokes with the Japanese riders on the paddock after a run on the track. Living away from his native Indonesia, there are times when he has trouble with the language and customs. But, he smiles and says he enjoys living in Japan. Doni is learning English and his vocabulary is increasing, and he is able to deepen communication with the Japanese staff.

Doni is becoming better known in Japan too, and an increasing number of fans ask for his autographs in the spectator “pit walks” where the fans and riders can communicate at each race. The hero of Indonesia is still a challenger here in Japan. But his charming smile is enough in itself to win him fans in the racing scene.