Darin, Maduranga top Driver and Rider

Bernard PERERA in Katukurunda

The fourth annual Rotherham circuit meet organized by Sri Lanka Air Force Motor Racing Council and conducted by Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders was worked off yesterday at the Kutukurunda circuit. Maduranga Caldera and Darin Weerasinghe won two events each to steal the major honours on this day.

Maduranga first won the Group ‘O’ motorcycles 250 cc in a thrilling finish riding his Honda CBR.

He was in great control of his machine from the start though he had stiff competition from Ned Daniel and Shanjanith Kumara. Later he was placed third behind Srian Samuel and Prasanna Subasinghe in the motorcycles up to 600 cc class. But once again riding in the over 750 cc class too he was placed second also behind Srian Samuel.

But this young lad made amends for being behind in the two previous events came up with a superlative performance in the penultimate event of the day motorcycles open event to grab all honours. He was chased all the way by Srian Samuel for almost four laps but with Srian’s machine up with problems have to finish fourth. All in all the spectators saw Maduranga reach the podium on four occasions.

Once again all eyes were focussed on the eight year old Jaden Gunewardene who was competing all with all senior riders in the up to 125 cc class.

Though he did not have a good start and way behind caught up with the bunch through his skillful riding to finish as the first runner-up to S. D. Weerasinghe. His younger brother Aaron too was seen finishing fifth, well ahead of a few seniors.

In the motor car event the day belonged to Darin Weerasinghe. His top class driving also put former champions well behind.

He was behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza in the 3500 cc class which was the fastest event run on this day. Later driving in the same class in the final event too he was off in a flash and built up a fine lead which none of the drivers could come closer. In fact this victory in the second race brought him the Roshan Gunetilleke Challenge Trophy awarded to the Best Driver of the day. Former champion Aravinda Premadasa could not start the race No. 1 due to technical problems but came in for the race No. 2 and had to pull out as the problems arose again.

Two other favourites in this event Ashan Silva and Pasindu Pieris too did not have luck yesterday when both of the came up with problems in the early caps.

Missaka Naveen and Dinesh Deheragoda were the runners-up to Darin in both races.

Pasindu Pieris though he failed in the super car event 3500 cc had good fortunes in the 1600 cc class winning both races quite comfortably ahead of Ashan Silva and Abeet Dangalle.

Upulwan Serasinghe normally a driver classed as a fighter in the Ford Laser class failed to live up to expectations. He could manage only a single win and two placings.

Prabath Pieris, Thuan Princy and Hasitha M. Pandigama recorded a win each in the motor cycle event in their respective classes.

It was highly notable to see two veterans who has been in the circuit for nearly thirty years Mahen Madugalle and Somapala Mannapperuma in Group ‘A’ cars up to 1050 cc and Group SL-N cars 8-10 kg class came up on the podium. Madugalle won this class and Mannapperuma was placed second in the race won by Buddhika de Silva.

Yoga Perera had to use all his tactics to win the Group ‘A’ class up to 1400cc driving his Mini Cosmis. He was trailing behind Damith Abeyratne for most of the race but in the penultimate lap Yoga going through the final corner got ahead and kept on moving smoothly until he received the chequered flag. The only lady driver S. A. Lakshika who was pitted against two of her brothers Harsha and Duminda fought a good battle to be placed behind Harsha, with Harsha Panduwawala finishing in third position in the ‘Nissan March’ category.

Ramal Pathiratne was the winner in the Super Motard class upto 450 cc while Amal Eranga Weerasekera comfortable victory in the motor cycles up to 160 cc category.

Here too the two juniors Jaden and Aaron were seen in action.

The meet was well organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force was sponsored by Bank of Ceylon, CEAT, Mobitel Sri Lanka Telecom. The print media sponsor was Lake House and there were many co-sponsors.

The meet was conducted by the SLARDAR in a grand manner which was highly commended by the spectators and the invitees. Full credit to the Sri Lanka Air Force Motor Sports Council headed by Air Vice Marshal Rohitha Ranasinghe.