JACQUES rides high

Chinthana Wasala

Thirteen-year-old Jacques Gunawardene has already made an impression among the top class riders in Sri Lanka. The young lad, a sensation in motor cross racing, won almost 99 percent of his events since he stepped on a two-wheeler.

Jacques started riding when he was three years. His first competition was the Gajaba Supercross under-8 event in the following year. In 2006, the young lad grabbed his first podium finish at Nuwara Eliya Lake Cross where he was placed second in the under 8 age category event.

Since then, he is no stranger to the podium and has an excellent record.

Jacques, the 2012 SLARDAR (Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders) (MX Racing up to 85cc) has followed his father's footsteps. His father Duane Gunawardene is an enthusiastic businessman who was once part of Sri Lanka's motor racing history.

Duane competed with riders in the calibre of Shane Gunawardene, Ananda Wedisinghe and Dilukshan Dias in the 1989-2002 era. Duane who competed in the very first Fox Hill Supercross in Diyatalawa, may not have even dreamt that his son would be a star on the same track one day.

For the past two years, Jacques has been almost unbeatable in his category, the under-16 event where he won almost.

Jacques has been participating in Motor-Cross Racing since he was four years, and has won many events.

In 2012, he showed a colourful start by dominating his pet event the 85 CC / under 16 years race. He was the best, winning all SLARDAR events except in three occasions.

The 2011 season has been the best for Jacques in the under-13 category, as he emerged the winner in all Under 13 racing events and had two podium finishes in the under-16 event, giving the more experienced riders a close challenge.

His biggest achievement was last year when he won the third place in fourth round of 2012 FIM Asian Motocross Championship Series at the Speedworld MX Circuit in Manila, Philippines.

The Sri Lankan lad was a threat to number one and two champion leaders during the event and with this achievement, Jacques became the first Sri Lankan to get a podium finish in an Asian Motorcross Championship.

"As this was my first tour overseas, it was a great opportunity to be amongst the Champions in the Asian countries. Hats off to my dad and mechanic uncle Mahen from Kotte, for the hard work put in to set up and tune my bike for me to deliver the best I could," says Jacques.

"I qualified amongst the first five for the race which ran for almost 27 laps. This is where it finally hung lose the hours of training and the fitness schedule given to me by Power World.

I was able to stand the endurance but the one thing that stuck to me was the words of my father saying that this is not just a race; your racing against the best in Asia to bring honor to your country," said the young rider.

He had the opportunity to take part in a training session conducted by world renowned motocross star Brad Ripple in Sri Lanka recenty.

"I think it is a magnificent opportunity for all of us who took part in that camp to learn some tips from a master himself," says Jacques.

Jacques, a student at Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, highly appreciates the support extended to him by his school.

He not only rides, but is also a member of the school's under-14/15 basketball team which came second at the Colombo Schools Basketball Championships held at S Thomas' College courts recently. He is also a swimmer.

He thanked Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for his support, his main sponsor MAS Active, Power World and Edge Energy, Red Doors, his Tyre Team and race organiszations, the Sri Lanka Army, Federation of Motorcycles, Upali Dassanayake and his fans for their love and support.

He also thanked uncle Lincoln, mechanic Mahe from Kotte, Haren Yatawaka for the facility given to him to practice on his track and Major Ekanayake from Boyagana Camp.

He also appreciated the support by his sports- loving family, his mother Christine, sister Jene' and father Duane for their guidance, encouragement.