Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesia Motor Assocation (IMI) plans to conduct fund raising to support national racer Rio Haryanto who would participate in Formula One 2016.

"IMI DKI (Jakarta) is still designin a solidarity system such as through sale of merchendises of al championships held under IMI to support Rio Haryanto," IMI DKI Jakarta chairman, Alfonsus Judiarto, said at the office of the sports minister here on Wednesday.

He said IMI would prepare a number of volunteers to sell stickers and other merchandises to promote the 23 yer old racer on various public places such as railway station, airports, shopping centers and others.

Judiarto said The idea emerged out of his concern over minimum sponsors who would help Rio Haryanto pay 15 million euro to Manor Racing that recruits him.

In connection with the plan he said sports minister Imam Nahrawi had expressed support.

"The government has tried to help using the national budget but the procedure for its is complicated and the idea has caused pros and cons. We hope private parties would contribute to help Rio," he said.

The sports minister said the raced has paid 5.25 million euro to Manor Racing and so he still has yet to pay 9.75 million euro.

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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