Malagamuwa eleventh in Dubai 24h Classic

Bernard PERERA

MOTOR RACING: Sri Lanka's Ace Driver Dilantha Malagamuwa who became the first Asian to drive in the 24th Dubai Race in Dubai was placed 18th in the overall standings and took the eleventh position in his A-6 category.

Dilantha who qualified to compete at this event after winning the Malayasian Super Car Championship last November teamed up with Ian Geekie and Peter Boylan for the event. This team named as team Hayashi was managed by Andy Pardoe.

The trio was driving a Porsche 996 in the A-6 Category. Three of them returned good timings on the previous day though they came up few engine problems on practice day and managed to put things on the right track for the final day.

Dilantha was to drive the first session and he was doing well to be among the top ten drivers until nine laps (9). Dilantha had to return to the pits to attend to repairs which loss a considerable time. This loss put them slightly behind but caught up with the leaders.

The second session they were hoping for a good run. That too could not be achieved as they had to return to pits for changing of rims. These changing was necessary as the vehicle met with many mishaps in this session. Here too the trio lost valuable time.

The final part of the race they did not confront any problems, but was not able to be in the front along with leaders. On the whole team Hayashi had lost a time of two hours and forty-five minutes. Though they lost over two and half hours manage to complete 499 laps.

Dilantha and his team recorded 2:12 minutes for their fastest lap. Their main drawback was the technical problems that arose during the first two sessions.

Dilantha and his team was happy with their overall performances. They said it was only the lost time that cost us the event.

Dweller Motorsport which covered 567 laps became the overall winner, while Konrad Motorsport (564 laps) and Pro Speed Competitors (553 laps) were the runners-up. The winner spent only one hour and thirty-three minutes in the pits which came in handy for his victory.

A total of seventy teams were seen competing in this classic event which drew many motor sports fans from various parts of the world.