Gunners Super Cross 2011:

Leading drivers, riders expected to compete

Bernard PERERA

The second annual Gunners Super Cross 2011 organized by Sri Lanka Army Artillery Regiment is due to be held on July 10 at the Minneriya Track which is situated in the Gunners Regiment Camp commencing at 8.30 am.

The meet is also considered as the fourth round for the CEAT-SLARDAR Championship 2011. The meet is also conducted by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders these details were disclosed to the media at a press briefing held at the Taj Samudra Hotel recently.

The meet will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), while the main sponsor for the meet will be Environmental Resources Investment PLC and Ceylon Leather Products PLC.

Major General Rabukpotha addressing the media said that the Gunners Super Cross has become one of the Best Motor Racing events in the country due to its success last year and the racing fans are eagerly waiting for this event. The meet also gave an opportunity for the rural folk to see motor racing at its best.

Last year's meet saw all leading drivers and riders competing as they are vying for their championship points which is vital for all of them. This saw all drivers and riders the display all their skills to gain the maximum points thereby giving the spectators all the thrills and spills they expect from motor racing.

He further said that all proceeds will be used for the benefit of the soldiers' families who sacrificed their life for the sake of the country and also for disabled soldiers and for the serving soldiers of the Regiment. He said that the Regiment is happy to note that with the funds received from last years proceeds they were able to construct seven houses for the families of the late soldiers which were handed over to them recently.

Adding further said that the swimming pool was constructed from these for the serving soldiers of the Regiment is completed and it will be officially commissioned on July 9 by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt Colonel Jagath Jayasuriya.

He thanked the sponsors and the Media for the support extended for the first meet last year and requested the same this year.

President of the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders Yoga Perera said that the track for the Gunner Super Cross is done by the Artillery Regiment to suit both drivers and riders equally so that they can come up with their best when using the same. The track measuring 1.4 km is sure to produce the good racing on this day where 26 events (10 Motor Cycles, 16 Motor Cars) will be worked off.

He also said that few foreign riders have already confirmed their Participation at this year's meet.

Director Environmental Resources Investments PLC and Ceylon Leather Products PLC Sitendra Senaratne representing the Main sponsor for the meet addressing the media said that it is one of their duties to serve the Sri Lanka Army as they are the people who made this happen after bringing in peace to this country sacrificing many live while some are disabled for the rest of their lives.

Also Sri Lanka Army is the main buyer of our products which dates back to 1939.

During the Second world war the Britishers wanted leather products for their use and they who commenced this Leather Industry for their servicemen Stationed in Sri Lanka and the other Asian countries. The Company still manufacture its products mainly for use of our servicemen while serving the general public.

Considering these factors it has become one of our duties to help the Sri Lanka Army and the General Public at large by parting with some of our benefits which has come to us through them.

He concluded by thanking the Sri Lanka Army for giving this opportunity for them to part of this mega event and wished all success.

The other co-sponsor for the meet are Sri Lanka Telecom, Bank of Ceylon, Singer Sri Lanka and CEAT - Kelaniya Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.