New qualifying and pit-lane rules applied at Mandalika Racing Series round
Organisers of the Pertamina Mandalika Racing Series 2026 are applying revised qualifying, pit-lane and warm-up procedures at the fourth round at Mandalika Circuit on 19–20 September, affecting NS250 and IJTC U-15 championship classes and…
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 4 min read
Lombok Tengah — — The fourth round of the 2026 Pertamina Mandalika Racing Series is introducing revised qualifying and pit-lane procedures at Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit on Saturday–Sunday, 19–20 September 2026, according to local media reports and the Mandalika circuit operator.
The event is part of the national motorcycle racing championship hosted in Lombok Tengah, bringing together Indonesian riders in four main classes: National Sport 150 (NS150), National Sport 250 (NS250), Supersport 600 (SS600) and the Indonesia Junior Talent Cup (IJTC) U-15.
Qualifying and eligibility changes
Organisers have adjusted the Q1–Q2 qualifying format for the NS250 and IJTC U-15 national championship categories.
Previously, 10 riders went directly to Q2 based on combined times from two official free practice sessions, with a smaller number advancing from Q1.
Under the revised procedure, 14 riders now qualify directly for Q2 from the FP1 and FP2 times, while four additional riders progress from Q1 based on their Q1 results, according to race officials quoted in regional outlets.
New provisions also cover riders who are unable to record a qualifying time due to technical issues or injury during practice.
With approval from race direction, a rider in that situation may still start the race from the back of the grid, provided they have set a lap time no slower than 107 percent of the fastest rider’s time in either FP1 or FP2, according to statements carried by Lombok-based media.
These changes are described as part of efforts to align domestic qualifying procedures with formats used in international championships and to give promising Indonesian riders experience with Q1–Q2 systems before stepping up to higher-level series.
Field size and race classes
Coverage of the fourth round indicates a strong entry, with more than 100 starters across the main championship and supporting classes.
Reports list 80 riders in the four national championship classes — NS150, NS250, SS600 and IJTC U-15 — plus 28 riders in two supporting categories: Underbone 150 and Junior Sport U-18, for a combined total of 108 riders.
The supporting classes run alongside the national championship races on the same weekend schedule.
Pit-lane and warm-up procedures
The revised regulations also tighten pit-lane and warm-up procedures.
Organisers say the number of riders allowed to start a race from the pit lane is capped at 10.
If more than 10 riders would otherwise begin from pit lane, the race must be restarted using the Quick Start method, a procedure intended to maintain safety and race order.
A separate protocol applies when a rider leaves the grid during the warm-up sequence or is late exiting the pit lane for the sighting lap.
In those cases, the rider must complete the Start Warm-Up Lap from pit lane, then re-take their original grid position and serve a Double Long Lap Penalty during the race.
For riders already assigned to start from pit lane, the start procedure prohibits an immediate launch when the main start lights turn green.
They must remain stationary until the pit-exit light shows green and the main pack has safely cleared the first corner or the pit-exit line.
Once released, pit-lane starters must respect the pit-lane speed limit until crossing the outer pit-lane boundary and are explicitly forbidden from crossing the white blend line at pit exit, a safety measure designed to reduce the risk of contact with riders already on the racing line.
Series context and aims
The Mandalika Racing Series is organised by a consortium including Mandalika Grand Prix Association and related partners, with Pertamina as title sponsor.
Company representatives and circuit officials have repeatedly presented the series as a platform to develop Indonesian racing talent and strengthen the domestic motorsport ecosystem, positioning Mandalika as a pathway for young riders towards international competition.
As of available reports, the status of the fourth-round changes — whether they will become permanent across the series or remain specific to this meeting — has not been formally confirmed in published regulations.
Sources
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