Pertamina Flags Off 120 Motorcycle Communities to Mandalika, With Oil Testing and Sport Tourism on the Agenda

PT Pertamina (Persero) officially flagged off 120 riders from various motorcycle communities for a land journey from Jakarta to the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday (3/10). The event, titled Touring to Mandalika, is part of the run-up to the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia 2026, which will take place on 9-11 October.

The send-off was centered at the Lubricants Technology Center in North Jakarta. Before departure, all participants went through a series of procedures, from comprehensive health checks and safety briefings to vehicle roadworthiness inspections. Symbolically, Pertamina handed over riding gear consisting of Pertamina Enduro lubricants, Pertamax Turbo fuel, helmets, and safety vests to community representatives.

Vice President Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), Muhammad Baron, said the initiative was designed to involve the automotive community directly, not merely cast them as spectators. According to him, participants are invited to experience the atmosphere of a world-class racing event while getting a closer look at the energy production chain they consume daily.

"We want our community friends to be not just spectators, but also part of the journey itself. Through Touring to Mandalika, the community can enjoy the beauty of the Nusantara route, feel firsthand the performance of Pertamina products on the road, and see up close how the energy they use every day is produced," Baron said in a written statement on Saturday (3/10).

The trip is also being used by Pertamina Lubricants as a road test for product quality. Lubricant samples from the various brands and motorcycle types used by participants will be collected after the journey for testing at the Oil Clinic laboratory at the Lubricants Technology Center. The used oil test results will serve as a research basis for developing future Pertamina lubricant innovations. Community motorcycles using Pertamax Turbo and Pertamina Enduro are running with the distinctive livery of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.

While crossing several islands, the group is scheduled to stop at the Balongan Refinery and several other Pertamina operational facilities. At these locations, participants can see firsthand the processing of fuel oil and lubricants. Along the touring route, participants are also encouraged to make digital transactions through the MyPertamina app.

One participant, Tania Rusli from Bandung, was selected through the Fuel The Moment campaign program. She said she was enthusiastic about making the trip with her husband. "Today the motorcycle is ready, the oil has been changed using Pertamina products, and I am physically fit. My prayer is that all 120 participants can reach Mandalika safely, enjoy every racing moment, and that Pertamina can continue to present inspiring activities that make Indonesia proud," Tania said.

From an industry perspective, Touring to Mandalika shows a new pattern of collaboration between an energy company and the automotive community. This approach not only strengthens brand loyalty but also has the potential to drive the local economies along the route, especially the accommodation, culinary, and automotive services sectors. Regional governments along the Java-to-NTB corridor can use this momentum to promote local tourist destinations.

Going forward, the success of this agenda will be measured by two things: the smoothness of the trip's operations and the extent to which the laboratory test results can be translated into product innovations relevant to consumers. If proven effective, a similar model could be replicated for other national automotive events, while also strengthening Indonesia's position as a world-class sport tourism host.