Lankan riders placed sixth

Two Racing riders from Sri Lanka Ned Ernest Daniel and D Amal Weerasekara participated at the all Japan Road Race Meet in Japan recently held on the Sugo International Circuit, Sendai. This was the first time Sri Lankan riders competed in an international meet held in Japan where seven other countries were in competition.

This was a meet organized by Asian Motor Cycle Union. Countries participated are Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, India, Malaysia and the host country Japan. The only competitor from Sri Lankan to ride in Japan was Bathiya Mirando in 1960. This was done by him on the invitation of Honda Motor Corporation as he was a specialist rider for Honda.

The duo from Sri Lanka Ned and Amal who are with no international experience fared much better after having many practice sessions where they improved heavily riding on international level track. This helped them to be placed on the sixth position in the overall standings ahead of Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia and China.

Ned competing along with fifteen riders finished 11th but Amal could not finish the race as he crashed and pulled out of the race. Amal was lucky not to have any injuries.