Sanjeewa and Rahal storm MotorPlus Southern Monsoon Rally

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Sanjeewa Ambawatta and his co-driver Rahal Uluwita possessing lowest debit points of 335 bagged the overall championship in the Sri Lanka’s premier TSD motor event, MotorPlus Southern Monsoon Rally 2012 which was worked off for two days in the Southern Province recently, covering nearly 600kms.

Warna Ariyadasa and Nalaka Gunawardena with the second lowest debit points aggregate of 370, emerged runner-up while Dishan Goonasekara and Harith Salwathura won the overall third place collecting 394 debit points.

The 14th edition of the Southern Monsoon Rally was conducted in three stages as a day and night event with the main sponsorship of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. The rally included Novices’ and Team events as well while giving recognition for stage level performances, apart from the overall assessment.

H.R.W.J. Prematunga and Samitha Siriwardena won the Novices’ event totaling 788 debit points while Young Southern Motor Sports Club contingent comprising Sanjeewa Ambawatta with Rahal Uluwita (335), Dishan Goonasekara with Harith Salwathura (394) and H.R.W.J. Prematunga with Samitha Siriwardena (788) clinched the team title with 1517 debit points.

The only two women competitors of the rally S.K. Janaki and S.K. Amanda also made their way to the podium as they partnered third place in the team event with team-mates J.A.N. Wajira Kumara with Suranga Buddhika and S.K. Ranjith with S.K. Methushanka.