Ashan steals the limelight at Eliyakanda Hill Climb

Bernard Perera reporting from Matara

Ashan Silva became the star at the 14th Eliyakanda Hill Climb when he outdrove all experienced drivers to clock the fastest time for the day of 36.16 secs for the 675 metre Climb. Ashan driving his Mitsubishi Evo-5 in style clocked 38.41 secs in the first run and was lying behind the top drivers in the Super Car Category Aravinda Premadasa and last years winner Dinesh Deheragoda who drove high powered engines. Aravinda had the best time in the first run clocking 36.86 secs while Dinesh had 38.44 secs.

Ashan coming into round two did extremely well in handling the vehicle specially in the corners and improved on his first timing clocking 36.16 which also sent the leader Aravinda to second slot.

Upulwan Serasinghe too performed well to win two classes - the SLN over 12kg and his pet event the Ford Laser and later went onto to be placed second and third in the 1600cc class and SL-D Diesel Cars event respectively.

Dhammika Peiris was another driver to excel yesterday winning two different categories.

First he won SL-N 10kg Class clocking 40.05 secs and went onto win a double clocking 43.23 secs for the SL-N one make Nissan March Class.

Dinesh Senanayake clocked 42.00 secs for the Trucks and Jeeps Class ahead of Lanil Galaboda and Sanjaya Sedera Senerath. He was also placed second in the SL-N one make 10kg class behind Dhammika Peiris and later had to be satisfied with the third position in 8-10kg category.

In the Motor Cycle Class 125cc standard event it was Sudath Dilruk who clocked 45.55 secs to be the winner in this class.

In the 125 standard 2 stroke event D.A. Shane Silva who was in front in round one improved on his timing in round II to bag the title in this Class beating Vijitha Perera and Sarath Kumarasinghe.

Policeman M.C.S. Perera had a time of 45.33 secs in the four stroke 250cc class. He had stiff competition from S.G. Dinesh who came very close with a time of 45.73 secs. Sarath Kumarasinghe who failed in the 25cc standard class did a fine run in the 250cc Street Trial Bikes. He rode to victory when he timed 40.05 secs for the distance of 675 m to outride all other competitors in this class. Than Ossen one of the leading Super Cross riders in the country proved that he is a fine rider in climbing too. Riding a 250cc modified racing bike Honda CRF recorded the best time for Motor Cycles when he timed 38.65 secs to win this class event. Southern Motor Sports Club conducted the 14th Eliyakanda Hill Climb on a very successful note which was well organised for all riders and drivers.

(Full result will appear later).