One hundred and fifty competitors for Nuwara Eliya Road Race
S M Jiffrey Abdeen- Kandy Sports Correspondent
One hundred and fifty entries have been received for the Nuwara Eliya
Road Race organized by the Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club (SLMCC) which will
be worked off around the lake circuit in Nuwara Eliya on Sunday April
21st commencing at 8 am.
The breakdown of the entries is 90 motor cycles and 60 cars which is
a major achievement for the club which has been conducting this event
for over 60 years except for a few years due to poor track conditions
and also for security reasons when approval could not be obtained.
To the credit of the club it must be mentioned that conducting of
this race in the heart of Nuwara Eliya City during the peak of the
Holiday Season is a Major achievement for the club. This is a reflection
of the hard work and dedication of the officials of club which is based
in Colombo and had to make several visits to the venue of the race which
is located 180 kilometre away... green light had to be obtained from
several places like the Police, District Secretary, Municipality, Road
Development Authority, Defence Ministry and finally the governing body
for Motor Sports SLAS for permission for the conducting of this race. It
is no easy task as these departments look into many aspects including
the safety of the public before approval is granted. Competition and
motor racing fans should be aware of the hard work put by the officials,
who perform these tasks for the love of it and also provide
entertainment for the holiday makers.
The organizers have added a new event for this years race which is
the Yamaha 150cc standard motor cycles.
The one make Subaru Legacy event for motors off last will be there
this year.
A total of 13 events will be worked off – 6 in motor cars category
and 7 for motor cycles. The event lined up are.
[Motor Cars]
Group SL-N Cars upto 1000 cc
Ford Laser/Mazda 1300 cc
Ford Laser/Mazda 1500 cc
Mini 7 upto 1000 cc
Subaru Legacy Non Turbo 2000 cc
Group SL-A Modified upto 1050 cc
There is a restriction on the modified cars to 1050 cc in keeping
with the track conditions which will have “no over taking zones” and
“Chicanes” placed at certain points to reduce speed in the best interest
of all concerned.
But it must be remembered that in the good old days there were events
for formula cars too at this race but later discontinued as the
authorities felt it could be dangerous.
Some of the top drivers who are expected to be in action are Maestro
Rohan de Silva, Dinesh Jayawardena, Shehara Jayawardena, Dilan
Senaviratne, Upulwan Serasinghe, Shantha Suraweera, Sachith Pathirana,
Lakmal Wijeratne, Dammika Peiris, Kushan Peiris, Hafiz Cader, Kandan
Parameswaran, Mahen Madugalle amongst many others.
A major attraction of the cars will be National Champion for cars
1300 cc and 1500 cc events Upulwan Serasinghe whose dare devil driving
could thrill the crowds and his Ford Laser will be eying these two
events in his guest for these two championship title this year too.
[Motor Cycles]
The Motor cycle events which will be worked off are.
One make Yamaha 150 cc std. Standard 125 cc (2 ST and 4 ST)
Racing Modified upto 125 cc
Super Motard upto 600 cc
Super Motard upto 250 cc
Super Motard 450 cc
Some of the top riders who are expected to compete are Shane Silva,
Ramal Pathiratne, Krishan Dias, Maduranga Caldera, M Umer, Shrian
Samuel, Vikum Ranjith and many others.
Veteran rider from Nuwara Eliya Vikum Ranjith will be nearing his
30th year of colourful motor racing and will be one of the senior riders
who will be participating. |
