Susantha steals the limelight at Mirigama races
Bernard Perera in Mirigama
The round two of the Sri Lanka Motorcycle Club Championship ended
yesterday at the Kanway Autodrome, Mirigama with many incidents
witnessed by the spectators. All incidents were in the motorcycle
events.
The major accident was in the second event of the day when H. A. C.
P. Dharshana clashed with Diluk Weerasinghe. Dharshana who suffered head
injuries and few other injuries was rushed to hospital by Sri Lanka Red
Cross who were present to help with medical facilities. Diluk had minor
injuries only.
Meanwhile Susantha Gunawardena became the hero in the motor cars
events winning two events on this day. First he won the SL-N over 12 kg
class outdriving the experienced Upulwan Serasinghe to second position.
Later he went onto win the SL-N over 10 kg up to 12 kg class in a
thrilling race.
Dinesh Senanayake who had a perfect start was in full control of this
race followed by Susantha Gunewardena and Upulwan Serasinghe. Bad luck
crept into Dinesh in the last lap when a tyre posed problems with only
50 metres away from the finish line.
This gave the opportunity for Susantha to go past Dinesh to bag the
second win of the day which also brought him a double. The experienced
Upulwan Serasinghe had to be content with only a second and a third
place respectively.
The only lady driver S. A. Lakshika driving along with her two
brothers and a few top drivers managed to reach the podium when she was
placed behind S. A. Karsha and Michael Wijesuriya in the SL-N Nissan
March category.
Lakmal de Silva, the son of Leslie N. de Silva one time Mini
specialist proved that he is to continue in his father’s footsteps
winning the SL-A Modified up to 1050 cc class event driving a Mini 9705.
He had tough competition coming from Surinda Gunewardene in the early
stages of the race. Veteran in the Super Motard Class, Udesh Wedisinghe
won the 250 cc class in style but failed to impress in the higher class
the 450 cc when his machine came up with problems. Ramal Pathiratne was
the winner in this higher class.
Maduranga Caldera maintained his top class winning the 250 cc four
stroke category ahead of Lathika Shamal. This event too saw an accident
which caused injuries to Helavikum Randeni.
Ramal Pathiratne rode his Honda CRF 449 cc in great style to carry
away the award for this event. Hashan Chamika, Sanjeeva Udaya Kumara and
Sajith Karunasekera were other riders to bag the respective races.
The most eye catching event witnessed by all was the event for under
13, where two brothers Aaron and Jaden Gunewardene aged 7 and six
competing. Though the latter failed to reach the podium, successfully
completed four lap race to receive a standing ovation from the
spectators.
The final event for the day 125 cc Racing Bikes saw Prabath Pieris
become the winner followed by Krishan Dias and Udesh Chaturanga.
Prabath who had a fine start got to the front and maintained this
until the finish to be the worthy winner.
(Results will appear later)
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