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Top riders and drivers for Pannala’s second leg races
The cream of top level racing drivers and riders of Sri Lanka will be in action at Pannala on Sunday May 22nd as they will vie for honors in the second leg of the Speed racing series jointly organized by the right Ceylon Motor Sports Club, The Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club, The Motor Racing Association and the Asian Motor Racing Club. The championship will comprise of five events.
The first round was held successfully in February this year which drew a considerable amount of entries and spectators as the Pannala track was available after a lapse of time. The competitors experienced a revamped track with improved safety and facilities while the spectators enjoyed a quality race meet.
The Organizers released the sporting regulations to the competitors and the entries are now open for all Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) approved classes.
A spokesperson for the Joint committee of Speed 2011 stated that the entries will close on the May 13 at 10.00 p.mat the Speed Drome, Pannipitiya Road, Battaramulla for Motor Cars and the Motor Bike entries will also close on the same day at No 5A, Havelock Place, Colombo05.
The popular events will include the SLGT 3500 CC, SL 'H' 1600 CC and the one make classes of the Mini, Nissan March, Ford Laser and the Formula Ford together with the Formula McLarens 1300.
The championship will also make way for newcomers who will race in the Formula McLarens 1300 event and also the Suzuki Maruti/Alto class. The Results of this championship will be taken forward to the 2011 National Championship of the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports.
There will be a host of Motor Cycle events worked off as well and those results will also be counted in for the National Championship of the Federation of the Motor Cycle Sports in Sri Lanka. Sources say that some foreign riders are due to participate in the Motor Cycle events.
The Organisers included the qualifying of the bike in order to determine a grid position for the start of the Motor Cycle Races. This is a new rule brought in by the Sri Lanka Racing Riders Association to uplift the standards of the sport.
Results and standings after the first leg.
Event Number 06
Champship
Competion
Motor Cycle Group "J" standard upto 125cc Under 16 years
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
32
Jaiden Gunaratne
1
20
1
Aaron Gunaratne
2
17
48
Irantha Tharuka
3
15
54
Deshan Kotandeniya
4
14
56
Samindu kotandeniya
5
13
Event Number 07
Champship
Competion
Motor Cycle Group "O" standard upto 125 cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
32
Jaiden Gunawardena
1
20
34
Chaminda Subasinghe Gamage
2
17
22
Sudath Weerasinghe
3
15
1
Aaron Gunawardene
4
14
24
Jeff Andre Chi
5
13
15
Chathura Madushantha
6
12
26
Rohan Pathirana
7
11
35
Suriyakumar Isgaburudy
8
10
48
Hithantha Tharuka
9
9
Event Number 08
Champship
Competion
Motor Cycle Group "SM" Super Mtard upto 250cc 4 Stroke
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
4
Udika Malavige
1
20
41
Sudeep Vidarsha P.A
2
17
36
Thusitha Gunasekara
3
15
30
Madushanka Pandigama
4
14
31
Laxman W.M
5
13
39
Sajith Karunasekara
6
12
Event Number 13
Champship
Competion
Motor Cycle Group "O" standard upto 125cc, 2 stroke
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
61
Shen Silva
1
20
59
Kaushal Perera
2
17
62
Chandana Weerasinghe
3
15
38
Sajith Karunasekara
4
14
66
Bandula Weerasinghe
5
13
44
Kaushal Sivalingam
6
12
Event Number 14
Champship
Competion
Motor Cycle Group "O" standard upto 250cc, 4 stroke
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
46
Ned Daniels
1
20
37
Maduranga Caldera
2
17
57
Lasika Godakanda
3
15
28
Sheran Fernando
4
14
47
P. P. Aluthge
5
13
27
Runuka Udayanga
6
12
55
R.K.S Helavikum Randeni
7
11
65
Shafraz Basheer
8
10
Event Number 15
Motor Cycle Group "SM" Super Mtard upto 450cc 4 Stroke
Competion
Number
Name
Placing
19
Suraj Perera
1
20
52
Ramal Pathirathne
2
17
36
Thusitha Gunasekara
3
15
12
Udika Malavige
4
14
MOTOR CARS
Event Number 02
Champship
Competion
Mini Standard 1000cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
41
Ravi Rajakaruna
1
10
12
Irshad Azlie
2
8
13
Ravikumar Thanvsh
3
6
11
Zulfi Sulaiman
4
5
14
Dilan Perera
5
4
76
Dr. Ranatunge
6
3
Event Number 03
Champship
Competion
Nissan March 1000cc One Make
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
80
Rohan de Silva
1
10
18
S.A Harsha
2
8
16
Michael Wijesuriya
3
6
15
Harsha Panduwawela
4
5
17
S.A. Lakshika
5
4
69
Suren Jinasena
6
3
Event Number 04 & 17
Champship
Competion
Formula McLarens 1300cc
points
Number
Name
Rank
53
Thivanka Wijesekara
1
10
55
Gayan Ranatunge
2
8
3
Ryan Todd
3
6
57
Sithara Peiris
4
5
101
Asela Ekanayaka
5
4
56
Viran Boteju
6
3
52
Dharsha Pathirana
7
2
75
Sangeeth Suriyage
8
1
106
Mayhan De Silva
9
0
Event Number 05
Champship
Competion
Mini 7
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
10
K Paramesewaran
1
10
8
Shashika Lakmal Wijeratne
2
8
110
Namal Silva
3
6
79
Sachith Pathirana
4
5
7
Donald Buultjens
5
4
9
K Balasingham
6
3
6
Ravikumar Thanvish
7
2
Event Number 09
Champship
Competion
Ford Laser 1300cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
100
U C Perera
1
10
54
Upulwan Serasinghe
2
8
38
Prasanna De Alwis
3
6
32
Daminda Ramanayaka
4
5
33
Suranga Abeysuriya
5
4
31
Romesh Gunawardene
6
3
Event Number 10
Champship
Competion
SL-A upto 1050cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
22
Mahen Madugalle
1
10
36
Hafiz Cader
2
8
35
Yahathugoda Kamal
3
6
37
Michael Wijesuriya
4
5
43
Ajith Keerthi
5
4
Event Number 11
Champship
Competion
Ford Laser 1500cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
45
Upulwan Serasinghe
1
10
30
Roshan Dissanayake
2
8
61
Chaminda Weerasuriya
3
6
28
Kaushal Samarasinghe
4
5
20
Irfan Fuard
5
4
23
Kamil Hussain
6
3
25
Priyankara Aruna Shantha
7
2
Event Number 12
Champship
Competion
SL-H 1600cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
74
Ashan Silva
1
10
2
Pasindu Peiris
2
8
103
Dilan Senaviratne
3
6
102
Sajaad Zuhair
4
5
108
Nalin Gunasekara
5
4
27
Dinesh Jayawardena
6
3
93
Michael Wijesuriya
7
2
40
Kaushal Samarasinghe
8
1
107
Mohan De Silva
9
0
Event Number 16
Champship
Competion
Formula Fords 1600cc – Post 85
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
63
Dinesh Jayawardena
1
10
104
Dilan Senaviratne
2
8
62
Dilshan Dodanwela
3
6
58
Shirendra Lawrance
4
5
70
Rikaaz Khalid
5
4
Event Number 16
Champship
Competion
Formula Fords 1600cc – Pre 85
points 1st R.
Number
66
Rohan De Silva
1
10
64
Waruna Ranatunge
2
8
65
Kaushal Samarasinghe
3
6
Event Number 18
Champship
Competion
SL GT 3500cc
points 1st R.
Number
Name
Placing
88
Dinesh Deheragoda
1
10
72
S N J N Dias
2
8
49
Pasindu Peiris
3
6
50
Tharindu Lokuge
4
5
96
Riyaaz Farouk
5
4
Gayan Sandaruwan best off road track rider
For the first time in history Sri Lanka’s existing handful of riders banded together to form an association to support the endeavors and survival of their clan. The new organization came out in the form of Racing Riders’ Union (RRU) with a new constitution meant to serve to the betterment of the hundred odd riders. The RRU held its inaugural general meeting to select the first set of office bearers at the Lions Club auditorium in Colombo-8 on July 17.
Gayan Sandaruwan in action. Pix by Sanka Vidanagama
“This formation is a result of a long term discussion which spanned for more than a year. Racing Riders in Sri Lanka is a dying breed if I’m not mistaken. There are more riders calling it quits than the ones who are attracted to the sport,” Sri Lanka’s most successful racing rider Gayan Sandaruwan stated.
Gayan who is the incumbent secretary of the RRU pointed out many areas that have been the cause of decreasing number of racing riders in the country. Failure to obtain an insurance policy, lack of proper facilities for medical, fitness and training in addition to financial benefits is on the verge of dragging one of the most entertaining sports of Sri Lanka its resting place.
These major setbacks have prompted the racing riders who thrill and entertain the spectators take up the new challenge onto their own shoulders. “There are many parties who organize race events but unfortunately most of them fail to contribute towards the benefit of the riders. The organizers from their angle claim that they earn considerably well from an event. But none of them are willing to arrange cash awards for the riders as well as drivers,” he added.
Gayan Sandaruwan
The RRU before it formed had met the officials of Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Federation (SLMCF) to discuss on most of the crucial matters that needed to be addressed immediately. But the officials of SLMCF had failed to come up with the fitting remedies as most officials of the governing body are performing a voluntary service, similar to the riders of Sri Lanka.
The new union of riders has attracted almost the entire racing fraternity which tallies just over a hundred. The RRU hopes to discuss their future progress with other racing clubs, associations and officials including the Ministry of Sports.
“As at present, there are only two MTX250cc motorbikes for the main race in a Supercross. Anyone can see over 20 riders in the main event but except for two the remaining bikes are with the engine capacity of 125cc. There were over ten such bikes but most riders have sold their machines and are out of the scene,” Gayan revealed.
According to the experienced rider who has taken part in over ten international racing events, insurance is a must to enter a racing motorcycle into the track. But in Sri Lanka companies have failed to come up with a suiting policy viewing the risk factor of the sport.
In addition the handful of riders faces difficulties to maintain their form on the rough tracks around the country due to the lack of a training track. The main tracks around the country are mostly owned by the military where riders do not enjoy the accessibility often unless during a meet. Even so, the officials of such camps tend to protect the tracks for the big day and thwart the requests of riders for practice sessions, days before race day.
“Most of us riders are not privileged enough to enjoy practice facilities as in Sri Lanka there is no such training track. I do have a friend of mine who willingly gave a portion of his land to create a practice track and most of the riders make use of it. It’s in a private property far off Colombo. One of our goals is to have our own practice track, so we could also train the youngsters and the talented whilst doing our practice sessions. It will not only benefit the riders but also the sport in the long run,” Gayan elaborated.
Racing riders spend an average of Rs. 100,000 per race which forces them to spend a staggering Rs. 1.2 million per year according to the annual race calendar. The spending only encourages those who are able to meet the financial needs, which forces many of the talented riders to retire prematurely. Additionally the emergence of foreign riders dominating the domestic tracks has also discouraged many from taking part in races.
“Whatever happens, we have to take the positives. As much as the interest remains in youngsters to join the sport, the talented local riders are keen to reach the international level but our platform is not strong enough to support them. The stage has come where we have to do our own groundwork today and make a better tomorrow for the younger generation,” Gayan said.
and some other byker images & videos in Sri Lanka..
