"Hard work helped me win Malaysian Super Car C'ship" - Dilantha

Bernard PERERA

MOTOR RACING: Dilantha Malagamuwa with his 'Porsche 996 GT3 Cup' the only Sri Lankan driver to compete in an Asian Motor Racing Championship has come out with flying colours winning the Malaysian Super Car Championship 2006 on Sunday to keep the Lion flag flying in Malaysia for the first time.

CELEBRATION: Dilantha Malagamuwa in a happy mood raises the Lion flag from the top the podium before receiving champions trophy flanked by Peter Hills the first runner up (second from left) and Chong, second runner up (fourth from left).

Dilantha Malagamuwa has done Sri Lanka proud by becoming the first foreigner to win the Malaysian Super Car Championship. Malagamuwa says "it is a great to win an event outside my country. I have won many awards on home circuits. But my ambition was to win a championship outside Sri Lanka."

"I kept on working hard for five long years to achieve this victory. Now I am a happy man. I made my dream come true.

This victory is not only for me but also for my country where I started my career as a rider. I dedicate this win to all racing fans in Sri Lanka who cheered me from the day I entered the track.

Their support encouraged me and I decided to go further with a view to reach the top at international circuits", says Malagamuwa.

On Saturday Dilantha entered the track with 20 points behind the championship leader and had to win both races to collect maximum number of points to overtake the leader Peter Hills. It was a good day for Dilantha and was able to be on the pole position which also gave him an advantage.

The championship leader Chong and one of the leading contender for the title Hills were behind Dilantha.

He has been running this race for the last five years, but failed to reach the top position. This race is also a support event for the A1 Grand Prix.

At the start of the race Dilantha was only behind Chong and Hills was in third slot. As Dilantha could not compete in two earlier races he could not get ahead of these two drivers.

It was a tough task for Dilantha as he had to win both races if he was to grab the title. Chong had a chance of taking the championship eve with a runner up position on this day.

Dilantha turned tables on this day when he performed had full control of the from the fourth lap. It was Chong in front at the early stage of the race but Dilantha got ahead of the leader in the fourth lap and kept on moving steadily to increase the lead. Chong and Hills who had to get the maximum from their machines to over run Dilantha failed in their gamble when two of them had to pull out of the race due to mechanical problems that came up during this period.

The final stage Sunday saw Dilantha had an easy race when he got off to a flying start. He led from the word go and never gave an opportunity for his followers a chance to get past them at any stage of the race. He kept on moving so well that he went on to a lead that could not be reached by the drivers.

Chong who was in front after eight stages and was on his way to win the title could not do the finishing touches on these two final stages to carry away the title as expected. He was placed third on the final standings.

With this victory Dilantha becomes the only Sri Lankan driver to move on to the top of the podium to receive a championship title at an international motor racing championship. The awards ceremony took place last Friday in Malaysia.

It is high time that the Sports Ministry take measures to welcome him on his arrival in the Island. Dilantha is thankful to Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon who encouraged him right through the championship.

Dilantha will compete in the Dubai 24 hour race which is scheduled to be held from January 11, 12 and 13 next year. He will team up with two Australians and one Britisher for this event.