Colombo ready for international racing experience

Chinthana WASALA

Sri Lanka boasts of the oldest running hill climb in Asia, the Mahagastota Hill Climb. The Carlton Sports Network is confident that the best racing experience will be on offer when the Second Colombo Night Race flags off on December 15, turning a new page in Sri Lanka’s history.

With the intention of taking Sri Lanka’s racing to the next level, organizers held the first edition of the Colombo Night Races last year. To make it even more unique, the race was held during the night. With approximately 300,000 spectators present, the Colombo Night Race 2011 was undoubtedly the biggest event held that year.

There were many teething problems last year, in areas including crowd control, seating facilities and food and beverages. The organizing committee has taken up the challenges head on and has taken measures and plans to conduct a meet as perfect as possible.

Fulfilling a basic need for an international racing event, the track will be extended this year, allowing spectators to watch safely rather than standing by the track. This will allow areas with seats to be controlled better to ensure those who have bought tickets to sit there and get the seat they paid for. The organizers also have reduced the number of events from 22 to eight to ensure that the race will conclude at least by 1.00 am and not inconvenience spectators and establishments in the area.

Organizers have also taken measures to ensure maximum safety both for the spectators and competitors.

“This year we have already been promised (verbally) 24 GT3 and GT4 cars/teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Japan and Macau and 15 VW Polo cars from India. Discussions are on to bring more international events,” said a committee official.

The qualifying rounds will take place on December 14 and the races will start at 7.00 p.m. the following day. Car races will have a minimum of 15 laps and bikes will have 12 laps. The organizers will, in conjunction with hotels, open public roads in the vicinity after every thre events for half and hour for movement of hotel guests.

In the near future, the organizers jointly with the police department will release a complete traffic plan with road closure points and times, de tours and parking area demarcations for information of the public.

The organizers said their target is to make this an event recognized by international bodies similar to Singapore F1, Macau GP, Monte Carlo etc. which will ultimately create a complete festival during December benefiting the national economy.