Ishan steals the limelight at Sigiriya Rally Cross

Bernard Perera in Sigiriya

Seventeen year old Ishan Dassanayake, the student from Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala kept the lion flag flying high yesterday during the Sigiriya Rally Cross organized by Sri Lanka Air Force, winning two major events beating the two champion riders from India.

He created history on the newly constructed Rally Cross Track. Nearly, over 20,000 motor racing fans were thrilled with his dare devil riding.

The crowd that gathered to witness the champion rider Gayan Sandaruwan got the opportunity of witnessing an up coming rider, taking major honours when the champion rider had bad luck on this day.

Gayan was expected to pose a big threat to the two Indians and was moving for the kill, disaster struck for Gayan when his machine came up with problems.

Everyone was of the view that the Indians will dominate the day. But young Ishan had other ideas and put pressure on the Indians right up to the end and at the last few metres while going in the air on the hurdle pipped the Indian to take the first race to surprise of all present who gave thundering cheer.

The second race began and it was once again the Indian K.P. Aravind who had a good start and was in lead for nearly three laps with Gayan following the Indian rider. Ishan at this stage trailing at the fourth position. Disaster struck for Gayan again and the opportunity arose for Ishan challenge Aravind again.

Ishan took the challenge immediately and rode his 125 cc in style to close the gap little by little and once again outrode the Indian in the last lap to make it two straight wins in the biggest event for the day. It was a thrilling affair for the whole crowd that witness this youngsters marvels.

He was awarded the champions trophy for the Best Rider as he had a another win to make three wins on this historic day.

Meanwhile, in the cars events it was a another young lad Pasindu Pieris who stole the limelight on this fast track. He was declared as the Best Driver for the day. He too did well to override the much fancied Aravinda Premadasa, Dinesh Deheragoda, Riyaz Farook, Janaka Dias and Rizvi Farook in the SLGT 3500 category.