CMSC-AMRC join hands for speed 2005 championship

by Bernard Perera

The oldest Motor Racing Club (CMSC) in Sri Lanka has joined hands with the youngest club the Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC) for the betterment of the sport in Sri Lanka.

With this intention the clubs have decided to conduct the Speed 2005 Championship jointly this year. This was disclosed at the launch held to herald the joint partnership for Speed 2005 Championship last week in Colombo.

Last year it was AMRC that conducted the Speed 2004 Championship which became highly a successful one at the Pannala International Circuit.

It was also disclosed that the championship consist of four rounds of racing for the year, with the first stage scheduled for May 28, 2005 at Pannala circuit. Which will be organised by the AMRC. For this event there will be two days of practice sessions arranged. Entries for same will close on May 16, which entertains entries from April 25.

Late entries close on May 18.

The second and third stages of the championships are to be conducted by Ceylon Motor Sports Club on July 16 and September 17 at the same venue. Entries for both these events are excepted from April 25 and is expected to close on July 04 for second stage and Sept. 05 respectively for the third stage. These two stages provide only one day practice sessions for competitors.

The fourth and final stage which gets off the start with AMRC organising. Here once again the competitors are in for two days of practice sessions. This final event will most important to all competitors who are eagerly waiting to grab honours for the year 2005. The date fixed for the final stage is November 12.

The Speed 2005 Championship is divided in to six different categories. All these four stages will be conducted in the afternoon which is also a first for Motor Racing in Sri Lanka.

The Speed 2005 Championship will also set a new record when they offer the highest cash awards for champions of all six categories at the end of the final stage of the championship. Out of six championship events six are to be run over 12 laps, while the Novices event is confined to eight laps.

For the first stage Free practices will be allowed for all competitors on May 26 while the qualifying round is scheduled for May 27 from 2.00 p.m. onwards. The organisers request all competitors to report on May 27 at 11.00 a.m.

The organisers also have formulated the following points system for the championship for all categories of championship events.

1st Place - 10 Points, 2nd Place - 08 Points, 3rd Place - 06 Points, 4th Place - 05 Points, 5th Place - 04 Points, 6th Place - 03 Points, 7th Place - 02 Points, 8th Place - 01 Point.

The prize distribution of each stage will be held soon after each stage while the final championship awards will be held on the day of speed at Night racing event. For which dates have to be finalised. The CMSC and AMRC have made arrangement for competitors who wish to have their vehicles at Japan Technical Training Center at nominal fee and tyres at a reduced rate for them after their registration with race officials.

The drivers are eligible to compete in one or more events with the stipulated regulations for each vehicle by the race conductors. According organisers points could be accumulated only to the specific category of event for the championship.

Meanwhile the drivers briefing for the first stage has been fixed for May 20, 2005 for which the venue will informed on a later date.

The ten events that is scheduled to be worked off on May 28 are as follows.

Novices event SL-N over 12kg./hp - 06 laps, SL-A Carts up to 1050 cc+ - 08 laps, SL-A Cars over 1350 cc up to and including 1400 cc (Run Concurrently) - 08 laps, Mini 1000 (1000cc One make Event) - 12 laps, Ford Lazer/Mazda-1500cc (One make Event) - 12 laps, SL-N 10-12 + 12-14 kg/hp event (Run Concurrently) - 12 laps, Ford Formula 1600cc (Post and Pre 85) (Run Concurrently) 12 laps, FIA-N 1600cc and +08-10 kg/hp event (Run Concurrently) 12 laps, SL-A Over 1600cc-3500cc + FIA-N Over 1600 - 3500cc event (Run Concurrently) 12 laps, SL-S up to 1600cc - 08 laps.

The championship events considered for the year are as follows.

1. Championship event for one make Category: (a) Mini 1000cc (b) Ford Laser/Mazda 1500cc.

2. Championship for SL-A Category (events considered are Point # 06 D as above)

3. Championship for SL-N Category (events considered SL-N Point # 06 A - Group 01 as above)

4. Championship for FIA N Category (events considered are Point # 06 B as above)

5. Championship for Ford Formula Category (events considered are Point # 06 C as above)

6. Championship for novices Category (SL-N over 12 kg/hp).