Pertamina Enduro Brings VR46 Academy Program to Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is stepping up its grassroots motorsport development as Pertamina Enduro, in partnership with Italy’s VR46 Riders Academy, launches a world-class training program for young riders at the Mandalika Circuit from February 27-29, combining international coaching standards with intensive on-track and technical preparation.

The program will involve 10 Indonesian riders selected from the Mandalika Racing Series (MRS) in the 150cc and 250cc categories. The participants were chosen through a joint selection process conducted by PT Pertamina Lubricants and MRS management.

According to Vice President of Marketing at PT Pertamina Lubricants, Nugroho Setyo Utomo, the initiative is part of an effort to bring global racing development standards directly to Indonesian talent.

During the three-day program, participants will receive comprehensive training that includes racing techniques, vehicle specifications and engine understanding, and mental preparation for competition. They will also have the opportunity to train alongside riders from the VR46 Riders Academy and work with experienced mechanics.

In addition to technical training, the program includes non-technical components relevant to the modern motorsport industry, such as public speaking and digital marketing. These sessions are designed in line with the professional development standards applied by the VR46 Riders Academy.

“Rider development is not only about speed, but also about building racers and mechanics with strong technical knowledge and competitive mental strength,” Nugroho said, in Tuesday, January 27, as quoted by Antara.

As part of the program’s broader impact, Pertamina Lubricants is also involving 10 young mechanics from vocational high schools (SMK) supported through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. They will undergo training with the VR46 Racing Team’s mechanics, gaining hands-on experience in motorcycle preparation, lubrication systems, and professional racing maintenance standards.

This approach highlights the crucial role of mechanics in supporting rider performance on the track and strengthens the overall motorsport ecosystem. 

The initiative continues the ongoing collaboration between Pertamina Enduro and the VR46 Racing Team to develop Indonesian racing talent using methods aligned with MotoGP-level competition standards.

VR46 Riders Academy CEO Carlo Casabianca described the program as an opportunity to bring VR46’s training culture closer to Indonesian riders. “Every country has different rider characteristics. Through this program, we want to understand the most effective way to develop Indonesian talent using a structured, long-term approach rather than focusing on instant results,” Casabianca said.

The 10 riders selected to participate in the program are include Felix Putra Mulya, M. Haikal Ramadhan, Arai Agaska, Fadhil Musyavi, Abid Azhar Musyarafa, M. Jallu Vesgio, Kenzie Akbar, M. Arkana Ardin Kurniawan, Agam Pratama, and Ziven Rosul. ***