Rangana wins three events at Gunners Super Cross 2007
Bernard Perera
MOTOR RACING:The experience driver W.A.G. Rangana was the only driver
to win three events at the Gunners Super Cross 2007 which took place at
Minneriya circuit last Sunday, which was organised by Sri Lanka Army
Artillery Regiment, and conducted by Sri Lanka Association of Racing
Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR).
Rangana first won the Ford Laser/ Mazda upto 1300cc which was also
the first event of the day. He drove his Ford Laser without much
difficulty to get the better of Lalin Kirinde and Sujith Nishantha
Wijewardene. Rangana competing in the championship event in the SL-N
Ford Laser/Mazda upto 1500 cc did well once again in his Ford Laser.
He who held the pole position followed by Chaminda Weerasooriya and
the experienced Upulwan Serasinghe. Here too it was smooth driving for
Rangana going into the lead from the beginning. Upulwan and Chaminda had
a big battle to occupy the two runners up positions.
Coming on to the second race in the same class. Rangana made no
mistake and was the clear winner with almost 50 meters ahead of the
followers Ashan Silva and Upulwan Serasinghe. With this win he carried
away the third trophy for the day.
The first event in this class has to be cancelled a re run, When
Upulwan Serasinghe’s vehicle turned turtle in the first lap blocking the
track completely. Within few minutes Upulwan was back on the track
competing and was placed second.
Upulwan camp up with another brilliant performance in the SL-H cars
upto 1600 class behind the wheel of his newly acquired Honda SR II. He
was able to get the better of young Pasindu Peiris who was always
hanging to the tail of Upulwan. Sumanapala Mannapperuma the oldest
competitor at 67 driving in this event along with the youngsters managed
to finish as the third. The notable absentee here was Nishan
Wasalathanthri who had skip this event when his engine packed the
previous day when timing.
The youngest of the Peiris brothers Sasindu rode his Yamaha WR 250
magnificently to win the Group M STD/MOD street Trail upto 250cc class
comfortably ahead of Greg Watson and Kamal Prasanna.
The other Rider to win a double on this day was Indika Gurusinghe. He
was on his Honda CRF 450 CC riding in the Super Mortard Racing event
along with experts in this class Shane Gunewardene and Ramal Patiratne.
In both events the result stood the same way with Indika in front.
Young Ishan Dassanayake too came up with a superb performance in
championship event for under 16 winning Race one and two comfortably on
his Yamaha YZ 85. In race one Ishan was followed by Shehan Adikari and
Rumisha Buultjens but in the next rund the second place and third place
was changed between Rumisha and Shehan.
Though young Shehan could not cope the challenge in the under 16
class he managed to win the under 13 category comfortably. Madhushan
Perera and Imal S. Manchanayake took the runners-up positions.
Pasindu Peiris the only youngster to compete in both versions had the
better of Upulwan Serasinghe when he out drove him in the SL-H Cars upto
1600 cc. Pasindu was in front from the commencement of the race and held
onto his lead giving no room for Serasinghe go past him. This paved the
way for him to win this event.
The motor cycles upto 125 cc class saw S. Sudesh Nilanga win ahead of
Rumisha Buultjens and Sohan Madhushanka. Here Rumisha did an excellent
ride on his 85 cc bike competing with more power packed bikes of 125 cc
class.
Dines Senanayake drove his Honda Civic to victory in the SL-N cars
upto 8-10 kg class with Pradeep Wijesiriwardena and Shantha Suraweera
being runners-up.
Jacques Gunewardene took the title for the event specially arranged
for kids (under 10) The two runners-up here were Dilan Buultjens and
Marlon Manchanayake. There were fourteen toddlers in battle in this
class. They all were given gift packs for the courageous participation.
The Gunners Super Cross 2007 was well organised by the Sri Lanka Army
Artillery Regiment and was conducted in an orderly manner by the SLARDAR.
The army also took great ease in controlling the crowd that amounted to
over 2500 spectators from and around Minneriya.
(Results will appear tomorrow)
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