Night racing in Kandy on March 12

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr

Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club in association with the Ministry of Sports will conduct the first ever night street racing in the streets of the hill capital on March 12, 2011.

Kandy has hardly seen any motor racing during the last decade. In 1998 the Kandy lake circuit races were held for the last time by Kandy Motor Sports Club. Thereafter three Wace Park hill climbs were held and the last being held over four years ago before the club got into a shell. At present some members are taking action to revive the activities of the club.

This racing meet organised by Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club is laudable as it counts over 70 years in experience conducting annual Nuwara Eliya circuit meet during the festive season.

The new Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage who is also a resident of Kandy is making an all out effort to give a new impetus to sports in the hill capital.

Kandy is indeed lucky to have two motor racing personalities at the helm of affairs.

The lay custodian or the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara is a Motor Racing driver of repute having won many races at Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya and also a few motor rallies in Negombo. A very highly skilled racing driver who is best remembered for his win in the Mini Auto Cad in the modified event at the Sabaragamuwa Races.

This night street racing should have the blessings of Nilanga Dela Bandara though he may not exude his skills behind the wheels at competitions any more.

Then Kandy's new Mayor Raja Pushpakumara is also an ardent lover of motor sports having regularly participated at motor racing competitions especially hill climbs. He is also a member of Kandy Motor Sports Club. His support is indeed vital for the conducting of this race as the streets come under the Kandy Municipal Council. No doubt he should be there in a big way.

The present Deputy Inspector General of Police A Gammanpila is also a sports enthusiast having played a major role in organising sports events in Kandy through the Kandy District Sports Development Foundation.

Then there is mini specialist cum former national ruggerite Maurice Perera who was at one time President of Kandy Motor Sports Club and later the upcountry motor sports club and organised the Wace Park Hill Climb and Kotmale Hill Climb and also the Kandy Lake Circuit races.

A total of 15 events have been lined up which includes 5 for motor cycles, 10 for cars including standard formula car.