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A 12 point plan for the resurgence of Sri Lanka's premier sports - motor racing, was spelt out by the President elect of the Sri Lanka Association of Motor Sports (SLAMS) Suranjith Premadasa at a media briefing held last Tuesday at the Sri Lanka Amateur Athletic Association auditorium.

High among the priorities for the motor sports, the new President announced was the introduction of a special licensing program (mandatory) for racing drivers if they were to participate in future events. Presently the usual driving license issued by the Motor Traffic Department for normal purposes were used to enter competition. He said that racing drivers require special driving skills and they need to be passed by professionals who will test their endurance before "green light" is given for the drivers to enter competitive racing, he pointed out. He said that this (monitoring of drivers' skills) was the urgent need today, if the racing was to be made a safe sport amidst thrills of high speed. "We are also concerned of the spectators safety as well" Premadasa pointed out.

He elaborated that all competitive drivers will be required to undergo a compulsory 2 week specialized training and this will be repeated on a annual basis. The issue of license will also be linked to a compulsory medical check up, he added.

Premadasa explained that the services of an expert will be sought from the United Kingdom to train our officials who are directly involved in the sport. He added that all officials must be on hand to combat any situation that may arise on the tracks.

Speaking further the new President said that a special training and licensing program will be drawn up for novice (competition) drivers. "We need to encourage more and more young talent to enter the sport. A beginner will have to go through various stages before reaching the zenith in Competition racing.

SLAMS will also organize a national championship commencing possibly in April this year incorporating nearly 8 popular events designed to run on gravel or paved tracks. SLAMS also has plans to conduct a National Championship for Hill Climbs where cash awards and valuable trophies will be presented.

A Rs. 600 million project is also in the drawing boards for the construction of an F1 track with the involvement of an Italian Company, he announced. A feasibility report will be presented to the Council shortly he said.

Premadasa said that he intends obtaining the assistance of the Sports Ministry to build a basic training track for drivers.

Quite apart from the conventional strategy of promoting the sport amongst the locals, the SLAMS President also hinted of an idea of generating overseas interest with the dual objective of promoting the sport as well the country. "We need to market Sri Lanka Motor Sports to the world," he said. "We need to build the necessary infrastructure, qualified and trained personnel have to be identified and most importantly quality racers will have to be earmarked, he said.

Like cricket, we must be able to market Motor Sports, we need support of the media to popularize the sport, the support of the administration to develop the sport, and most importantly the support of the sponsors to activate the sport, he added.

He also expressed hope to obtain assistance from the Motor Apex bodies of countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia for a possible exchange of racers between these countries. In reply to a question posed by a journalist, he said that the Sport will receive highest attention with regard to safety of the drivers as well as spectators. Proper monitoring equipment will be imported to ensure fair judgment upto the last fraction of a second or gap, since the sport has become very hostile in nature.

Concessionary imports of tyres, driving gear, safety gear and other motor vehicle parts specially required for racing will be made available at competitive prices, he announced. We want to make this sport affordable to many people, whilst only a few dare enter this game, he added.

Finally, he said that his intention was to make this sport a popular one, where there would be commercial mileage for those helping us out by way of sponsorships and to those entering the arena of motor sport by way of satisfaction, he added. Also associated at the press briefing were Tharindu Perera, Treasurer SLAMS and Jumar Preena Hony. Member of the Media Committee.

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