Pasindu and Sandaruwan brothers steal the limelight

Bernard Perera in Sigiriya

The second annual Sigiriya Rally Cross organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force and conducted by the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders saw a successful end yesterday at the Sigiriya Air Base Rally Cross Circuit. Young driver Pasindu Pieris and Sandaruwan brothers Gayan and Shanuka stole the limelight winning three events and two each on cars and bikes.

First it was Shanuka Jayana Sandaruwan who won the first event of the day on a Honda 125 CRM in the Std/Mod Street Trail Bikes.

Later he went on to win the under 16 event for under 16 age group. Gayan Sandaruwan the last year’s champion rider began winning the 125 cc 2 stroke / 4 stroke.

This race saw the India’s champion rider C. S. Santosh competing. Santosh was in front and Gayan was way behind but in the second lap Indian’s bike came up with mechanical problems and had to pull out of the event.

However Gayan rode extremely well to go past the front runners and won the event. Later he went on to win the race No. 2 to make it a double.

R. M. Safraz was the other rider to excel with two victories when he won the 250 cc Street Trail Bikes class comfortably.

Ramal Pathiratne was the winner in the Open Super Motored event on a Yamaha WRF. The most interesting in the motorcycle event was none other than Udesh Wedisinghe who also bagged two wins.

Jaden Gunewardene rode his PW and GR 50 cc to win the under 10 event comfortably, with Akalanka Senadeera and Jaden’s brother Aron taking the runner-up positions.

Up and coming driver who also won the SLADAR championship in the 1600 cc category got off to a flying start this year to keep his title for a further period.

After winning the SL-H upto 1600 cc class race one competing against experienced driver won the race comfortably. Pasindu who got in front at the start kept cool to maintain his lead until the end.

Driving a Mitsubishi Evo IX gave a good challenge to all leading drivers in the SL-GT 3500 cc class and won to make it a double for the day.

Again competing in the 1600 class had a comfortable victory to become the only driver to win a treble.

In fact he was heading for his fourth win but bad luck prevented him when he crashed with Aravinda Premadasa in the final event of the day.

Later the event was cancelled when a major accident occurred where nearly seven cars were involved and were not in good shape to re-run the event. The other driver to show promise was Upulwan Serasinghe who also went on to win a double. Lanil Galaboda won the Nissan March 1000 cc category.

Chaminda Weerasooriya was the winner in the Ford Laser upto 1500 cc class with Upulwan as runner-up.

Newada Illangakoon was the winner in the 1400 class and in the only Trucks and Jeeps event. It was Ishraq Wahab who went away with the win.

Full results will appear later.