Dilantha overall leader at Malaysian Super Series
MOTOR RACING: Sri Lanka’s racing driver Dilantha Malgamuwa
came up with a another fine performance last week to win the 3rd round
of the Malaysian Super Series at Sepang F1 circuit. This was his second
consecutive success on this circuit in the same series. He is hoping to
retain the titile which he won last year.
Dilantha who sent his car to Germany for rebuilding the engine though
got back the engine it was not in perfect condition to race and sent it
back and could not get the same in time and was in real problems.
With these problems he was not able to do the test runs on Friday.
Michelin Tyres came to the rescue of Dilantha by lending a car which had
the same kind of engine which was fitted for his car which also enabled
him be on the track.
Dilantha was able to do few laps on Saturday and qualified to get the
third grid position. His main rivals for the title Wira took the pole
and Peter Hills was in front.Dilantha was only 0.2 seconds behind the
front runners. Dilantha was never troubled by this positioning but was
confident.
In race 1 he used the old tyres as the second stage was more
important for him. Inthis he was placed as the runner up to Wira. Angus
Kirkwood took the third slot.
Both Wira and Angus use Radical SR3 which are very much faster than
Dilantha’s Porsche and also weighs only 770Kg which is lighter than my
vehicle is a big handicap but was he was always hanging on to the tail
of the winer Wira.
Dilantha faced the second stage with more confidence after changing
to new tyres knowing that it caused problems in the first race. He got
to lead from the first corner and kept on to it till the end of the
race. Completing the first 2 laps he had moved to gain a lead of four
seconds which became very handy for him.
After few laps Dilantha was in full control of the event. None of the
other drivers were in a position to close the gap at any stage.When
Dilantha completed the 10th lap he was 14 secs away from the other
drivers. Peter Hills who used a power packed car and Wira who too had
same powered engine as Wira finised as the second runner up 17 secs.
later.
With the victory achieved Dilantha (105) has gone ahead of the others
by 3 points Wira (102). Dilantha’s achievement proves that only a power
packed car can not bring victory but experience counts a lot when it
comes to this kind of racing.
Dilantha is thankful to his Japanese sponsor Hayashi and VRD Motor
Sports, Michelin Tires and Ian Geekie, Manager Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
for all the advise and support.
The overall standings after round
three.
1. Dilantha Malagamuwa
2. Wira Dani Daim
3. Angus Kirkwood
4. Peter Hills
5. Stewart A. Seatter
6. Ron Lim |
