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| Saturday, 31 January 2004 |
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Will Rikaaz's dream of driving formula racing cars come true? by Richard Dwight There was much rejoicing in the Kirulapone home of Nilufa and Hilmy Khalid, the parents of Rikaaz, the 14-year-old child prodigy, Gokart and Prokart Racing Champ. When they received a much looked forward to responsive letter from the Sri Lanka Association of Motor Sports (SLAMS) to the effect that their son Rikaaz Khalid's relentless ambition to drive formula racing cars, would now be considered. Provided Rikaaz subjects himself to a written test and, on the success of it, be put through a driving test to determine his suitability for a competition licence. For one barely in his teens, the handling of fast speeding racing cars could prove irksome and involve as well an element of risk. But not to the parents of Rikaaz, who take a philosophic approach, to say that there is a touch of risk in any enterprising endeavour. Their attitude, in a spirit of for better or worse, is found to be very positive - with the sole aim being to actively support their son's comparatively rare passion for formula car racing which has taken hold of him to become an obsession, where this little lad thinks, talks and lives motor racing. It does appear that Rikaaz's lack of years, may have stood in the way of SLAMS giving thought, to permitting him earlier to drive formula cars. That stage is over, for the SLAMS has perhaps been thoroughly impressed by this 14-year-old's matchless love for the sport. Furthermore, they are also very much aware of his heroic deeds as a champion driver, for one so young, in the Gokart and Prokart racing competitions. Which does prompt us to say that if the SLAMS eventually see their way through to allow Rikaaz to drive formula racing cars. Then, with Rikaaz taking part in formula racing meets both here and abroad, there is the likelihood of his being acclaimed internationally as the youngest formula racing driver. This viewed in all its entirety, will indeed be a very healthy prospect for not only Rikaaz, but for motor sports here and the country at large. Hilmy, the proud father of Rikaaz who was a racing driver himself, is an ardent admirer of his son's enthusiasm and interest for motor sports. And so encourages and backs him, to make further progress in the sport, to which his son stands committed. He heaves a huge sigh of relief and has begun to see the light under the tunnel, in that his son's cherished dream of driving formula racing cars will soon be a reality. As a child, Rikaaz displayed a fondness for model toys like planes and cars and, endowed with a technical mind at an early age, was often pre-occupied in the dismantling and the assembling of his toys. Like the proverbial "Duck taking to water" and perhaps inheriting his father's zeal for motor racing, Rikaaz at the tender age of 9 was riding a motorbike and driving a car. Despite his formative years, he was now fast moving on the right track and, at the age of 12, Rikaaz the wonder, amazingly surprised motor racing enthusiasts and those in authority, by winning the All-Island Open Prokart Championship held in 2001. First to spot Rikaaz's extraordinary talent, was the internationally acclaimed karting champion, Randy Batcho. So impressed was he with the lad's rare ability, that he is guiding him along as coach. Batcho translated his meaningful intentions into deeds, by presenting his personal Gokart for Rikaaz to race with. While seasoned driver Diensh Jeyawardena, who renders technical assistance to Rikaaz, has also gifted him with an engine. The youngster is grateful to the boost and continuing guidance given to him by both Batcho and Dinesh and, to his parents who are his staunch supporters and source of inspiration. Rikaaz couldn't belie the trust reposed in him, nor let down their expectations. This he proved triumphantly, when in the inaugural Yamaha Junior Gokart event held in 2002, he, a 13-year-old came right on top to win. Rikaaz had earned a reputation now, and was well into his stride and, in the following year 2003 at the age of 14, he repeated his earlier success by being the All-Island Yamaha Junior Class Gokart Champion. His timing of 34.986 seconds, was seen just a fraction of a second short of the 34.092 timing recorded by Yamaha Senior Group winner. Towards the end of last year in November he won the penultimate round of 2004 Gokart Yamaha Junior Class Championship, winning three races on that day and establishing as well a new timing record of 30 seconds, which was earlier held by an international class competitor who timed 33 seconds. Within a short period of time, he has won 18 trophies, made up of 15 for Prokart and 3 for Gokart. Motor racing apart, Rikaaz is a fine cricketer and athlete at D.S. Senanayake College, and has proved to be a mild mannered good student, given to sober disciplined ways. His burning passion at the moment is to drive formula racing cars, and if the powers that be give him the greenlight - then Rikaaz would undoubtedly at the age of 14, be the youngest to drive formula cars. Earlier it was Finland's 17-year-old, Nico Rosberg and prior to that was 19-year-old, Mike Thackwell of New Zealand. Will this major achievement, come Sri Lanka's way in the field of motor racing through 14-year-old, Rikaaz Khalid, only time will tell. |
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