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By Bernard Perera

The McFoil challenge series for Motor Cars and Bikes get under way at the Pannala international race circuit organised by Sri Lanka Motor Sports Club and Sri Lanka Motorcycle Club on Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday a total of 17 events (seven motorcycle and ten cars events) are scheduled to take place, according to organisers. The events considered for the McFoil challenge series are two for Motorcycles (Racing 125 cc, Racing 250 cc) and three events for cars (Standard Mini Group 'A' 12-14 kg and Formula Ford Lazer).

Already a total of 80 drivers and 35 leading riders have sent in their entries. These details were disclosed at a press briefing held at the Nippon Hotel last week.

The points system allocated for the championship which has three contests for the overall McFoil Challenge Trophy are 10, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 respectively for first six places. The driver and the rider who collects the most number of points will be declared as the winners of the series after the completion of the three circuit races in February, May and the final in November.

All leading drivers in the country will tune their engines to get the best out of it in their favour. This is an important aspect for them because this being the first stage of the series every one competing hope to go ahead at an early stage.

In the event for Mini Cars the spectators are assured a keen competition with the battle ranging among top riders in the calibre of Rohith de Silva, Buddhika de Silva and K. Parameshwaran. These three are sure to face stiff opposition from Thusith de Silva, K. Balasingham and S. S. A. D. Gunewardene.

The Ford Formula event too will also have the best drivers to compete for supremacy here on this day. Romani de Silva who powered his way to victory at Katukurunda recently with tough opposition from young Dejan de Zoysa it sure to come up against top contenders Rizvi Farook, Rohan de Silva, Dinesh Jayawardene, Simon Laurenz and Romesh Paul. Favourite in this event Romani will drive a Formula Vandieman, while M. R. Mathumani will be in a Image Formula and all other competitors driving Ford Formulas.

The most looked forward went for cars will see two powerful Mitsubishi Evolutions on track with leading driver Dinesh Deheragoda and Mustaq Ahamed.

They are sure to put pressure on Nalin D. Perera who drives Caltex Impreza and Aravind Premadasa driving his Subaru Impreza. Others in the fray in this class are Ian Dissanayake, H. P. Wijayatunga and D. C. Dahanayake.

Motor racing fans who gather to witness a full day's racing on an international level track will have all safety and are assured of conveniences for them to enjoy the racing at its best, with drivers and riders ready to perform everything in store to thrill the fans while they look for personal glory on their machines.

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