Top drivers and riders in action at new circuit

Bernard Perera

MOTOR RACING: The inaugural Southern Super Cross 2006 for President's Cup is scheduled to flag off on the newly constructed track named as the Ceylon AotoDrome in Tissamahara commencing at 9.00 a.m.

The Meet is organized by the Southern Motor Sports Club along with D.A. Rajapakse Foundation who has taken the initiative to construct this most wanted international level track in the southern part of Sri Lanka which is also the first of its kind in the island. On completion it will be eligible to hold international meets for the Formula Class which is expected to see the final touches on the track in three years.

The Super Cross on Sunday was planned to give the track the opening on a grand scale. All arrangements were made in a short period of four months with the organizers working day and night. This The track is completely made on a new design with assistance from many sponsors who readily have come forward.

The Super Cross has attracted the highest number of racing drivers and riders so far according to an official of the Southern Motor Sports Club. Already over 120 competitors have entered the meet. Many riders and drivers have visited the track for an on the spot inspection for themselves before embarking on to real racing in the new track.

All drivers and riders are of the view that the track is sure to produce great racing which the competitors and the spectators are looking for.

Some of the competitors said as the track is broadest circuit in the local the scene the competitors get the opportunity of driving and riding faster on two straights and also has the chances for them to get past their front runners whenever the opportunity occurs.

Some of them were of the view that safety measures that is planned for the event too play a major role in allowing the competitors touch high speeds whenever possible to make race more attractive to both parties.

The Super car event will attract the attention of every spectator as all leading drivers could be seen in action to master the new circuit and to prove their capabilities in handling their high powered vehicles on a circuit that was used by them.

All eyes will be centered on four top drivers in this class three time SLARDAR champion Aravinda Premadasa, Present leader in the same championship Dinesh Deheragaoda, Riyaz Farook the new star who pushed back Dinesh and Aravinda at the Minneriya Gunners Super Cross Janka Dias and the one and only International Racing licence holder Dilantha Malagamuwa who is also could be on his Motor bike.

A total of 15 experienced drivers including Dan Disanayake, Dinesh Jayawardene, Nalin D. Perera, Shantha Suraweera Carmen Thenuwara. The other motor car events too are expected to produce great fare to the spectators gathering on this new track.

The experienced drivers in the fray veteran driver Rohan de Silva, Upulwan Serasinghe, Sajaad Zuhair and Dishard Hamdoon in the Ford Laser 1500cc. The youngsters who are in this category are W.A.G. Rangana, Randeer Rodrigo and Anil Seneviratne. They hope overcome stiff opposition from veterans in this class.

The One Make Nissan March class will see the lady driver Shehara de Silva in battle along with her opposite sex which includes Deshan de Silva, Devinda de Silva and Pradeep Wijesiriwardene.

Mini Saloon Cars will be fought between the drivers of the calibre of K. Balasingham Donald Buultjens and Sasitha Gunewardane, while M. Wickramasinghe could upset the former set if drivers.

Upulwan Serasinghe will confront U.C. Perera in the Ford/Laser 323 class along with Chaminda Weerasuriya and Lalin Kirinde. Meanwhile Upulwan will try to make it three in a row competing in the SL-N Production cars 10kg class event.

Another driver of class Raja Pieris is to drive in the 10kg category facing the starter with Shantha Suraweera and young Pasindu Pieris. The production cars 8.0 kg has attracted many known faces in this class with Rizvi Farook, Buddhika de Silva, Mansoor Hassan and Lanil Galaboda and Rohan Wijeratne battling to over ride the senior partners.

Rohan de Silva will drive be seen driving his Nissan March in the 1050 cc class. Rohith de Silva a veteran in this class be a tough opposition for Rohan.

Rameez Mahamoor who is based in Dubai and is always in town to compete in the island whenever an event of this nature and good use of these opportunities to win the 14000 class in his Toyota Starlet dould pose problems to his colleagues Rohan Dhammapla and Zakie Ismail.

The motor cycle events will catch the eyes of all motor racing fans as they get the opportunity of witnessing the cream of cyclists on this new track who are out to create history by making recorders to take their names on to their books. This will also pave the way for riders to take the maximum out of their machines through their talents.

Last years SLARDAR Super Cross Champion Gayan Sandaruwan will have put every thing in store to maintain his supremacy on track if this nature. None of the riders have experienced this sort of track so far and all riders will have to have quite runon their first outing before coming onto fast riding to thrill the crowds with entertaining runs.

The other young and experienced riders who are have shown their interest in performing against all odds are one time Super Cross Champion Ananda Wedisinghe from Kurunegala, Tom Ossen, Buultjens brothers Rehan and Kevin, Pieris brothers Sasindu and Pasindu, Nalin Perera and Rohana Jayaratne.

The Novices too will get the chance to prove their worthiness in entering the racing field in the motor cycle racing. While young ones below 10 years and above 6 too compete in an event specially designed for them.

All in all the spectators who throng to the new circuit will be in for all the thrills and spills they expect at this kind of meets.

The awards ceremony will be followed soon after the meet.