Nurul Hidayati became one of the female marshals on duty during the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test at the Mandalika Circuit last weekend. There are many interesting stories on Nurul Hidayati’s journey until she finally became a marshal at the Mandalika Circuit.
Nurul Hidayati is a native Lombok girl who is now 25 years old. Prior to the construction of the Mandalika Circuit, Nurul lived in Dusun Ujung, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. However, Nurul Hidayati has now moved because her old house has been evicted for the construction of the Mandalika Circuit.
Even though his house was evicted, Nurul Hidayati admitted that she supported the construction of the Mandalika Circuit in her hometown. Because, the Mandalika Circuit made one of his big dreams come true, namely to see first hand international races.
Nurul Hidayati immediately conveyed the dream to the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at the beginning of the construction of the Mandalika Circuit. “From the start there was a selection of marshals for the race at the Mandalika Circuit, I have participated. Because I really like the world of racing,” said Nurul. “It’s like a dream come true. My dream was probably too far away. Now, I can watch the race right in front of my eyes. So, this is not a dream anymore!” added Nurul, laughing.
Furthermore, Nurul Hidayati told how her first experience was when she was assigned to be a flag marshal at the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup 2021 at the end of November last year. Nurul admitted that she was very tense when she first served. Not only that, Nurul was also confused about the function of the many flags in his hands.
At that time, Nurul Hidayati only had material and learning practices as a flag marshal in the classroom. Moreover, due to her first experience, Nurul admitted that she had cried several times when she saw a racer fall in front of her.
After the Asia Talent Cup, Nurul Hidayati returned to serving as marshal when the Mandalika Circuit held the 2021 World Super Bike (WSBK). Nurul Hidayati admitted that she was no longer tense and understood her duties as a flag marshal at the 2021 WSBK Mandalika. Armed with this experience, Nurul Hidayati did not think long register when the marshal selection for the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test opens.
“During WSBK, I was assigned to post 10. At WSBK I no longer cried when I saw a rider fall. WSBK was very exciting,” said Nurul. “I am very happy when I see riders riding their motorbikes together on the track,” said Nurul. “When the marshal selection for the MotoGP pre-season test was opened, I immediately joined the registration. We (WSBK alumni marshals) were asked to come back. So, I immediately registered. I didn’t want to be left behind. Moreover, this is for the MotoGP event,” said Nurul.
Nurul also has other experiences regarding the friendliness of MotoGP riders. That experience was when Nurul Hidayati met the Repsol Honda racer, Marc Marquez, at Bukit Seger, on Thursday (10/2/2022) or one day before the 2022 MotoGP pre-season test. Nurul Hidayati admitted that she was very happy when she heard that Marc Marquez considered the marshal also a part important part of the race.
Furthermore, Nurul also commented on the complaints of MotoGP racers about some parts of the Mandalika Circuit track which are still dirty. Nurul Hidayati apologized to the riders who could not perform optimally because the Mandalika Circuit track was still dirty. However, Nurul Hidayati is very optimistic that the Mandalika Circuit can host the Indonesian MotoGP race next month.
Until now, the MotoGP Indonesia 2022 schedule has not changed even though the FIM, Dorna Sports, and ITDC, have agreed to re-pave some parts of the Mandalika Circuit track. The part of the Mandalika Circuit track that will be re-paved is before Turn 17 to after Turn 5. In a statement, FIM said that the schedule for the MotoGP Indonesia 2022 had not changed. MotoGP Indonesia 2022 will continue to host the second series of this season’s World Championship which will take place on March 18-20 or two weeks after the opening series, MotoGP Qatar.
