Sappers 4X4 Gympo on August 14

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

The local off road 4X4 fraternity will face the toughest challenge in the sport when they test their machines and skills in the inaugural Sappers 4X4 Gympo on August 14 at the Embilipitiya new track beside the spectacular Chandrika Wewa. The event has been organized as a fund raiser to support Army Engineers Corps’ war hero families.

The sport which was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2004 took country’s name to the international scene in 2009 when local rider Indika Sanjaya became the second runner-up in the Malaysian Rain Forest Challenge which is considered to be the world’s toughest 4X4 challenge.

The Four Wheel Drive Club (FWDC) of Sri Lanka in collaboration with Army Engineers have made the new track for the inaugural Sappers 4X4 Gympo. When Daily News interviewed Sean Hameed of FWDC, the brains behind the event he said that Embilipitiya track which consists of eight stages including Easy, Intermediate and Extreme levels is the best 4X4 track to date in the country. He also said that the Army Engineers played a crucial role in constructing this track within five months and included all kinds of obstacles available in international competitions.

The uniqueness of the track lies in the variation of obstacles as riders have to drive through sand pits, water crossings, barrel barge transfer, rock climbing, V grooved trails in different stages of the same track. “The Army personnel have experienced all these obstacles during the war and they have their military solutions to overcome them. As FWDC we have the sporting strategies to get over the obstacles. We have combined our two methods and built this track to a standard which one can hardly imagine where the toughness and competitiveness will be preserved to the highest level,” Sean explained.

The Sappers Challenge will be conducted to the highest international standards as the rules and regulations of the event are same as in the Malaysian Rain Forest Challenge. The event will be held in three categories to give the riders a choice. The most exiting and enthusiastic extreme class have to run all eight stages of the race where the overall champion and co-driver will be awarded the prestigious Overall Extreme Trophy. “We have already received around 20 entries for this category,” Sean revealed. The Sports Utility Vehicle category will only run the easy stage while the Standard class will ride on the intermediate stage. There will be 20 riders competing in each category.

Speaking about the prizes on offer, Sean said that so far they have not given the race a monetary value as it is run for the sporting spirit and pride. “Instead of offering cash prizes we hope to conduct a championship in next year to pick the best team (driver and co-driver) in the country and we will facilitate them to take part in international events. As this sport differs from the conventional motor sports it comes under the adventure sports category which is for those who have it in their blood,” he stated.

As the inaugural event there will be no foreign riders taking part in this year’s race, but we hope to include them in future versions. Sappers 4X4 Gympo will certainly attract a lot of foreign riders once it gains reputation. From 2012 FWDC will conduct their annual four-day event in line with this Embilipitiya event to facilitate riders to take part in both events one after the other. With the new ferry service lot of Indian clubs have shown keen interest in participating in the local 4X4 events. This sport will popularize our country as a sports tourism destination which will boost the country’s economy.

The organizers are expecting more than 10.000 spectators and special areas have been allocated for them to watch the race. The highest priority have been given to the safety and environment protection where the riders will lose their marks on the bad impact they will make to the environment by overusing and misappropriate using of their machinery when overcoming the obstacles. “We always make sure the 4X4 events will be carried out before the rainy season begins. As a tropical country Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations for this sport and we invite local motor sports lovers to come and witness this great adventure on August 14,” Sean concluded.

Lake House will be the print media sponsors for the inaugural Sappers 4X4 Gympo 2011.