Sigiriya Rally Cross a success for all

Bernard PERERA

The Sigiriya Rally Cross Circuit the newly laid track by the Sri Lanka Air Force along with the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders was able to produce the best results to the fans that made their way to Sigiriya last weekend. The races conducted by SLARDAR was also able to produce many up and coming drivers and riders for the future.

The track which came as a surprise from the Air Force is only two months deserve the credit from all involved in the sport. The Present Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunetilleke who is a ardent racing fans along with Air Commodore Rohitha Ranasinghe received the fullest co-operation from the SLARDAR officials Mahesh Gammanpila and Rodney Mason who designed the track to suit the drivers and riders alike. This combination did an excellent job in producing this fast track which came in for high praise from both parties as well as the spectators.

All these efforts produced good results at large on this day when two youngsters came up with fine exhibition of skilful driving and riding to thrill everyone present. Rider Ishan Dassanayake, the lad from Kurunegala stole the limelight winning all three events he completed. He also managed to outclass two Indian Champions H. K. Pradeep and K. P. Aravinda to bring honour to his country. Ishan also showed that he is capable of posing a threat to local veterans in this sport.

Meanwhile it was Pasindu Pieris who took major honours in the car category. Completing in six events walked to the podium on five occasions, winning three and reaching to runners up positions. These achievements also helped him to receive the champions trophy.

The other drivers to excel were Upulwan Serasinghe (two wins) Ashan Silva, Missaka Naveen, Susantha Gunewardane, Dinesh Senanayake, Prasanna Ranasinghe and Damith Abeyratne with one victory each in different classes.

In motor cycle events Udesh Wedisinghe did a fine job to defeat an experienced rider Indika Gunasinghe in a Super Motard event.

Meanwhile Lasantha Vitharana, R. M. Safraz, Shanuka J. Sandaruwan and Shehan C. Adikari did well to win their respective events. Evon Biyagee Gurusinghe won both events for under 13 age group, while in the under 10 event it was H. E. D. Kithalagama who overrode all junior riders to win the event.

This junior event saw two girl participants too compete with the boys in this race which caught the eyes of everyone.

Lamil Galaboda and Dinesh Senanayake won the two Jeep and Truck upto 5000cc class events. Senanayake's win here made him to be on top of the podium twice.

[Results:]

Group SL-N Nissan March 1000cc - 1.Missaka Naveen, 2. Harsha Panduwawala,

Group J Racing Motor Cycles 85cc u-13 - 1.Evon Biyagee Gurusinghe, Imantha Siriwardena,

Group M – STD/MODStreet Trail Bikes up to 125cc - 1.Shanuka Sandaruwan, 2. Lahiru Jeewantha Kumarasinghe,

Group T&J Diesel Turboup to 5000cc - 1.Lanil Galaboda, 2, Manjula Wijesinghe,

Group SL-N Cars over 12kg - 1. Upulwan Serasinghe, 2.U.C. Perera,

Group J Motor Cycles 55cc Under 10 - 1.Binala Kithalagama. 2. Nikesh Manchanayake,

Group SL-N Mini up to 1000cc - 1. Susantha Gunewardene, 2. Lasantha Gunesekera,

Group SL-H cars up to 1600cc - 1. Pasindu Pieris 2. Ashan Silva, 3. Nishan Wasalathanthri

Group SL-A car up to 1050cc - 1. A.D.S. Ajith Keerthi, 2.Samantha Gunewardene,

Gropu SL-N cars 10- 12 kg - 1. Dinesh Senanayake, 2. Pasindu Pieris,

Group J Racing Motor Cycles 85cc under 13 - 1.Evon Biyagee Gurusinghe, 2. Imantha Siriwardene,

Group MX Racing Motor Cycles 85cc under 16 - 1. Shehan C. Adikari, 2. Shanuka J. Sandaruwan,

Group M STD/MOD Street Trail Bike up to 250cc - 1. R.M. Shafras, 2. Shiva Marappan,

Group SL-N Ford Laser/Mazda up to 1500cc - 1. Upulwan Serasinghe, 2. Kaushalya Samarasinghe,

Super Motard Racing Motor Cycles Open - 1.Udesh Wedisinghe, 2. Ramal Pathiratne,

Group SL-GT cars up to 3500cc - 1.Pasindu Pieris, 2. Aravinda Premadasa,

Group MX Racing Motorcycles up to 85cc u-16 - 1. Evon Biyagee Gurusinghe, 2. Shanuka J. Sandaruwan,

Group SL-H cars up to 1600cc - 1. Ashan Silva, 2. Irshaq Wahab,

Group MX Racing Motor Cycles up to 125 cc - 1. Ishan Dassanayake, 2. Shanuka J. Sandaruwan,

Group SL-N cars 8-10kg - 1. Prasanna Ranasinghe, 2. Dinesh Senanayake,

Group MX Racing Motor Cycles up to 250cc - 1. Ishan Dassanayake, 2. K.P. Aravind (India),

Group SL-N cars up to 1400cc - 1. Damitha Abeyratne, 2. W.A.G. Rangana,

Group MX Racing up to 259cc - 1. Ishan Dassanayake, 2. K.P. Aravind (India),

Group T&J Open Event - 1.Dinesh Senanayake, 2. Irshaq Wahab,

Group SL-GT cars up to 3500cc - 1. Pasindu Pieris, 2. Janaka Dias, 3. Dinesh Deheragoda

Champion Driver: Pasindu Pieris - Champion Rider: Ishan Dassanayake

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