Cavalry Super Cross :

Armoured Corps' opens new track

Bernard PERERA

Sri Lanka Army's Armoured Corps have come with new racing track at Pangolla making it the fifth track to be done by the Sri Lanka Army. The other track owned by the Army are Fox Hill circuit, Diyatalawa, Gajaba Super Cross Track, Saliyapura, Gunners Super Cross Circuit, Minneriya and the Vijayaba Super Cross track, Boyagane. These Circuits have done yeoman service for Motor Racing in Sri Lanka.

The newly laid track at Pangolla will get its baptismal on Sunday the 11th of July when they conduct the 'Cavalry Super Cross along with the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR).

The 1.4 kilo meter track designed by German born Hans Ralf is a gravel track prepared mainly to give an opportunity for drivers and riders to show the skills in handling their machines in front of the local motor racing fans.

The organizers expect fans will gather in large numbers to witness this new track get its opening with all leading drivers and riders in competition said chairman o the Organizing Committee Chairman Commandant Center Brigadier Indunil Ranasinghe addressing a press briefing on Tuesday at the Rock House Battery auditorium.

Brigadier Ranasinghe further added that the Armoured Corps did a gallant service during the ethnic conflict in safeguarding the country from separatism. The soldiers of the Armoured Corps lost many of its soldiers while some o them were permanently disabled during this battle which continued for nearly three decades. Now the time has come for us to look for the welfare of the families of the lost soldiers, disabled soldiers and the in service soldiers.

The main idea of constructing this circuit is also to find the required funds for the above mentioned welfare and social services. Part of the proceeds from this meet will also be utilized to improve the infrastructure facilities, working environment, medical, recreational, housing and other essential facilities for in house officers.

In addition to these services the Armoured Corps also hopes to promote Motor Sports in Sri Lanka. with the new circuit coming into existence. The Armoured Corps also hope to make this track as a training ground for the young up and coming drivers and riders who wants to learn their basics on motor racing. For this the experienced instructors will be on hired with help from the SLARDAR said the Brigadier.

President of the SLARDAR Rodney Mason addressing the media men said that it is a pleasure to be associated with Armoured Corps to promote the motor racing in the country. Sri Lanka Army's contribution to motor racing has to be commended highly.

Their involvement for the sport has given an opportunity not only for the drivers and riders but also for the rural folk to witness the sport in various parts of the country. This new track is another step taken by the Sri Lanka Army for the betterment of the sport, said Mason.

Adding further he said that points gathered by the drivers and riders in their respective events at the Cavalry Super Cross meet are to be considered for the SLARDAR Championship 2010 as the meet here will added to the championship calendar.

As this been added to the championship all leading drivers and riders who are in battle for the championship have confirmed their participation said Mason.

A total of twenty seven events (13 cars and 14 motor bike events) are scheduled to be run on this day. There will two races each for the championship category. Mason said that already over 200 competitors have sent in entries for the meet.

He also added that while India's champion rider C.S. Santosh and K. Arvind who had competed along with local riders will be back in the island to give them a real challenge on this new track.

This is sure to make the competition more interesting for both Spectator and the riders.

The main sponsor for the event is Bank of Ceylon and CEAT Sri Lanka, while the co-sponsors are Development Lotteries Board, Sri Lanka Insurance and Cosmic Technologies. Brigadier Ranasinghe said that all safety measures are in force for the benefit of the large number spectators expected for the meet on this day.

Racing fans can make their reservation of tickets on line through www.tickets.com.