Flood and lightning struck on the Mandalika circuit before the MotoGP race, causing the start to be postponed. In the storm, a local shaman performed a particular dance in the pit lane to stop the rain. And it worked …
It is incredible what happened between the Moto2 and MotoGP races. A real storm – and there is no joking with the weather conditions in those parts – hit the Mandalika circuit, Indonesia, before the premier class race, complete with lightning strikes on the track. Only a little lost time, of course, but enough to postpone the official program by an hour and a quarter. In the end, the MotoGP race took place regularly (although not with 100% of the laps), but what happened before the traffic lights went out is unbelievable.
The barefoot shaman
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With the entire paddock sheltered and waiting for news on the resumption of the program – and consequently the start of the MotoGP race – a local shaman walked barefoot through the pit lane, ringing a bell. A ritual that, according to tradition, drives away the rain. In Indonesia they call it “Pawang Hujan” and it would have the power to control the weather conditions when these are adverse, driving away the clouds and consequently the rain. Rites that are usually used only for special and important occasions, such as weddings and musical concerts. Or for MotoGP races.