GAJABA SUPERCROSS SPEEDS OFF ON AUGUST 27
All arrangements have been finalised to conduct the much looked forward to and popular racing event the 16th Gajaba Supercross organised by the Sri Lanka Army Light Infantry Regiment on August 27 from 9am at the Gajaba Supercross racing track in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura.
Major General Shavendra Silva, the chairman of the organising committee said, “Our regiment lost the highest number of soldiers including high ranked officers during the ethnic conflict and the race is conducted with the aim of uplifting the living standard of families who lost their loved ones in the ethnic war and also it’s one of our major commitments to support and look after the welfare of disabled soldiers.”
He further added, “Our regiment also takes care of the education of all the children by means of offering scholarships and in the past from the proceeds that were received we utilised the funds to build houses for needy families.”
In honour of the late and veteran driver Ananda Wedisinghe who died while participating in the Nuwara Eliya Road Race, the General said, “We have decided to name a pavilion on his behalf and the organising committee will be offering a challenge trophy in memory of the champion rider in the Super Motard motor cycle event.”
The organisers have planned to conduct a total of 25 events that will comprise of 13 car events and 12 motor cycle events inclusive of events for Children under the age 10 years and it has attracted a record number of entries amounting to over 200 competitors (104 entries for cars and 134 entries for motor cycle events.
The most looked forward to event the SL-GT cars up to 3500cc Class has topped the highest number of entries this year with 16 in the fray. In previous years this event is run twice as race one and two.
But as the numbers of participants have increased in this event the track is unable to set
The most looked forward to event the SL-GT cars up to 3500cc Class has topped the highest number of entries this year with 16 in the fray. In previous years this event is run twice as race one and two
all cars in one event. To overcome this problem the organisers have decided to split the race into two groups – ‘A’ and ‘B’.
The SL-GT class event will see all leading drivers in the likes of Ashan Silva, Pasindu Peiris, Janaka Dias and young Kushan Peiris who has become a driver to take note of in the recent past.
The drivers who finish on top of these two groups will have to face the starter at the third race which can be considered as the final. The Ford Laser/mazda class too has attracted a high number of entries and no doubt this event is going to be a highly competitive one as over 20 drivers will be battling for supremacy.
The motorcycle events too will no doubt be very competitive and a closely contested affair could be expected with riders in the calibre of Ishan Dassanyake, Evon Gurusinghe, Shehan Adikari and Gayan Sandaruwan while Imal Manchanayake, Jacques Gunawardena and Lahiru Jeewantha will battle it out in their category.
The main sponsor for the Gajaba Supercross 2017 is CEAT Kelani International Tyre Ltd with Maliban Biscuits, Stafford Motor Co. Ltd and Elephant House too supporting to make this event a success as in the past.
The champion driver will be awarded the Major Gamini Gunesekera Challenge Trophy while the champion rider will receive the Ralph Kapinsky Challenge trophy. (MSA)