Third Walawe Supercross to gear up in grand panache

Anuradha Abeysekera

The Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' Regiment (EMER) of Sri Lanka Army in collaboration with Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club set up the stage for another exciting motor sport extravaganza, the Walawe Supercross 2013 which is to be worked off on July 7 at the Craftsman Autodrome track beside the spectacular Udawalawe water tank. This was revealed to the Media during a press briefing at the Army EMER head quarters in Colombo recently.

Walawe Supercross was inaugurated in 2011 and has become one of the top class events of the local motor sport fraternity in its short history. The Craftsman Autodrome is considered to be the best gravel racing track in the country, a combination of sporting, mechanical and engineering excellences. Every year all the elite riders and drivers taking part at the event as the points will be considered for the annual National Championship. The event has greater significance serving as a fund raiser for the welfare projects of Army war hero families and disabled servicemen.

Causeway Paints Managing Director V.Kiritharan handing over the main sponsorship token cheque to Electrical and Mechanical Engineers’ Regiment Centre Commandant Brg. Duminda Sirinaga. Picture by Samantha Weerasiri

The third version of Walawe Supercross will conduct 27 events including 13 motor bike races, 12 motor car contests and two kids' events.

Causeway Paints Lanka PLC stepped in as the main sponsors while the last year's main sponsor Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) extended their support with a special co-sponsorship this year for the Walawe Supercross 2013. Cargills is the official food and beverages partner while Peoples Bank, CEAT, Coca Cola and Frontier Automotives shouldering the event with corner sponsorships.

Speaking at the press conference the organizing committee chairman Brigadier Ravi Mayadunne said that they are very proud to host this mega event for the consecutive third year and expecting a more thrilling event this year.

"Last year there were nearly 60 000 spectators and hopefully it'll be much more this year. The track is in great condition and a thrilling competition is expected. There will be ample spectator areas with facilities to quench their thirst and hunger from nearby food and drink outlets," Mayadunne assured. When asked about kids' competitions Mayadunne revealed that they had to cancel under-10 and under-13 age category bike events due to the new regulations imposed by the Sports and Education ministries even though they have received over 30 entries. So these age categories will not be allowed for racing competitions, but possible in exhibition events. We have received nearly 60 entries for bike events as yet and expecting around 75 riders to take part. Hopefully an Indian rider, K.P. Arvind will will be here to add foreign essence to Walawe Supercross 2013 and the rest will be all local riders and drivers," he further explained.

The organizing committee has decided not to award a trophy for Best Rider or Best Driver as they found it difficult to assess the skills among various event categories. Mayadunne also revealed that they have offered a subsidized entry fee for the riders, nearly a half of the entry fee of drivers in order to include maximum participation and for the first time in Sri Lanka's motor sport history each and every rider and driver will be given a monitory allowance as an appreciation for their participation at the Walawe Supercross 2013.

Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' Regiment Centre Commandant Brg. Duminda Sirinaga, senior army officials, representatives from the sponsors and large number of media personnel were present at the press conference.