Fox Hill 15th edition on April 21

Bernard PERERA

MOTOR RACING: The fifteenth annual Fox Hill Super Cross 2007 in scheduled to be worked 07 on April 21 at Diyatalawa Super Cross circuit commencing 9.30 a.m.

The event is organised by Sri Lanka Army Sports Committee headed by Brigadier Bandara is conducted by the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders. (SLARDAR) This Super Cross is sponsored by Sri Lanka Insurance (Formula Plus) and Lanka Bell and with many other co-sponsors, ANCL (media) Mobil Lubricants and John Keells.

These details were disclosed at a press briefing held at the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Base in Colombo recently.

The commandant of the Defence Academy Diyatalawa speaking said that Fox Hill Super Cross has become the most interesting event for the Motor Racing fans in Sri Lanka, and also the biggest crowd puller for this sport.

All these factors came in to limelight with former Brigadier Gamini Goonesekera who created the idea to set up this track which would be of vital importance for the Motor Sport in Sri Lanka.

German born Hans Ralph was the man who designed the track along with Goonesekera which has given the country’s drivers and riders the opportunity of doing the sport to reach international standards.

Lankan drivers and riders made good use of this track and went on to win at international meets too, he said. The track attracted many foreigners in the past but they failed to achieve success specially against local riders.

The Diyatalawa circuit was dominated by of the calibre of Ananda Wedisinghe, Shane Gunewardena and Nalin Perera since its inception. Wedisinghe was the first rider to make his name popular on this track before Shane and Nalin came to limelight.

The governing body for the sports, Sri Lanka Automobile Sport which introduced the national championship few years ago also took in to account the points accumulated at this need for the championship in both versions of the sport (cars and bikes).

Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders too made this meet as one of the parts of their SLARDAR Championship. Since its introduction of this championship Aravinda Premadasa and Gayan Sandaruwan has won the championship consecutively for three years.

Aravinda was behind the wheel of a Subaru during his peak on this track. His main rival for the championship was last year’s leader Dinesh Deheragoda.

The other drivers who have excelled on this most difficult track was Dinesh Jayawardene, Upulwan Serasinghe and Mini specialists Yoga Perera, Rohith de Silva, Parameshwaran and Balasingham in different classes.

Veteran driver Rohan de Silva and his daughter Shehara de Silva who also happens to be the first lady driver to compete along with her opposite sex partners have come up with excellent performances in the past.

At this 15th Fox Hill Super Cross all these drivers are expected drive to gain honours for the year 2007. Few young drivers along with Pasindu Pieris are expected to give a stiff competition to above named fancied drivers this year.

On April 21 the spectators who gather in large numbers will have the opportunity of witnessing a Mitsubishi battle with champion Aravinda, Dinesh Deheragoda, Dinesh Jayawardene, Reyaz Farook. P. Jeyanthan in battle for the SL-N GT class cars. Rizvi Farook Nalin D. Perera too will join the fray in this class.

On motorcycle event everyone will focus their eye on young Gayan Sandaruwan. This Youngster who has made it three in a row will go all out to maintain his supremacy for a another year. Though he becomes the favourite there will be many young riders who are trying to pose a big threat to the champions.

The biggest threat for the champion rider is sure to come from Pasindu Pieris, Buddhika Sandaruwan from Anuradhapura T. M. Ossen and Rohana Jayaratne from the Slimline fame.

This year few young riders who performed well at meetings held recently too will join the seniors in a bid to gain maturity on tough circuits.

Their appearance here could give them the best exposure needed to become top class riders in the future. It is also hoped that veteran Super Cross stars Ananda Wedisinghe and Nalin Perera compete to give the top runners a big fight.

Buultjens brothers Kevin and Rehan too will make their appearance to make the motorcycle events colourful and competitive.

The organiser expects to conduct twenty two events, twelve cars and eight motorcycle events. In addition there will be two additional events juniors under 10 and 13.

Two special events for trucks and jeeps too are on the cards. These T & G class events are dominated by Sri Lanka Army drivers with Col. Ravi Mayadunne taking the top spot in this category.

All proceeds gained from Fox Hill Super Cross will be used for the development of the Sri Lanka Military Academy, said the commandant Walgama of the Academy.