Gunner Supercross in Minneriya tomorrow

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers And Riders (SLARDAR) will stage the seventh Gunner Supercross motor fiesta at the Minneriya Artillery Complex track tomorrow.

The event has became one of the prominent motor racing events of the country and more than 200 drivers and riders including some foreign competitors will be seen in action this year. There will be ten motor car events, nine motor cycle races and two jeep to add colour to the seventh Gunner Supercross.

The fourth big event of the SLARDAR's annual event calendar will also include under-10 and under-13 bike events paving a platform for the budding riders to showcase their talents.

Four Indian riders including reigning Sri Lanka Artillery Challenge Trophy winner for the Best Rider, C.S. Santhush and the last year's winner of the Nihal Rathnayake Challenge Trophy for the Best Driver, Pasindu Peiris will battle it out to secure their crowns.

Over the years all the funds earned from the event have been used for charity projects to pay tribute to war victim families of the Army. From last year's profit, 15 houses were built and handed over to Army families where the fathers have done the supreme sacrifice in saving motherland.

SLARDAR President Mahesh Gammanpila said that the event is in great importance as its prime aim is to develop motor sport while facilitating war hero families whom the nation must be looked after for the great sacrifice they have done.

But Gammanpila said they had to withdraw four motor bike events at the last moment (under 16 Group MX up to 85cc (2T) & up to 150cc (4T) race-1/race -2, Group SM Super Mortard events, up to 250 cc (2T&4T) and up to 450 cc (2T&4T) races). Gunner Supercross 2012 is sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka, BOC, CEAT Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Telecom and Elephant House.