Gympo 2016 promises extreme adventure with safari thrown in
Thrills and spills off-road with a safari thrown-in is what the Corps of Engineers of the Sri Lanka Army is offering over the coming long weekend during the ‘Sappers 4X4 Gympo’ scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 17 at Thunkama, Embilipitiya.
The ‘Sixth Sappers 4x4 Gympo 2016’ showcasing extreme adventure by man and machine scheduled for Saturday, September 17, is billed to draw both local and foreign four-wheel drive competitors and two-wheelers on the off-road tracks.
The newest ingredient to make this day of ‘extreme sports’ and entertainment in a superb atmosphere more adventurous is a long weekend package which holds out the promise of tent-camping or accommodation in a four-star hotel with a safari into the Uda Walawe National Park.
The ‘Sappers 4X4 Gympo’ at the Sapper Off-Road Arena in Thunkama is organized by the Corps of Engineers -- the military fraternity that is universally known to go into battle first and come out of it last -- in collaboration with the Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Motorcycle Riders’ Association.
The collaboration with the Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka since 2011, has enabled the Corps of Engineers, with its inherent capability to deliver unhindered mobility in battle, to regenerate the skill and enthusiasm of Sri Lanka’s four wheel drive community to achieve greater heights.
This event will also see the Corps of Engineers joining hands with top hospitality partners to make it an unforgettable Gympo Weekend inclusive of a three-hour safari and a hospitality lounge during the Gympo event.
Referring to the track, meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Corps of Engineers said that the ‘Sapper off-road arena’ at the Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering with its reconstruction of natural obstacles tests the adaptive skills of drivers and navigators to the extreme. The track is unique with its ‘obstacles’ of mud, water, rocks and trails , while a key feature is the ‘over and under track’ where two lanes taking the shape of the number eight cross at the centre via a compact 200 extra-wide bridge that can only accommodate the width of the vehicle. Each team will get a run on both lanes back to back, testing the team’s coping ability with the forces of gravity.
The Sapper Off-Road Arena, with a Roman coliseum-like environment, can accommodate more than 15,000 spectators.
The 4x4 events include a 4x4 Touring Class categorized as standard and modified and will facilitate 12 competitors; a 4x4 Extreme Class competition categorized below 3000cc and above 3000cc which will be battled by 16 top class drivers and co-drivers from overseas (Malaysia and Lebanon) and within the country.
In the motorcycle events, 11 bikes will compete under three categories – a Kiddies’ events, Standard Class event and Racing Class events, while more than 150 will take part in the 1100m Gympo Track.
The Gympo 2016 is powered by CEYPETCO Lubricants, VVK Machinery & Equipment (Pvt) Ltd, SENOK Trade Combined (Pvt) Ltd, Ace Motors International (Pvt) Ltd and CEAT Kelani Tyre Holding (Pvt) Ltd.
For more information on the event and reservations please contact Sapper 4X4 Gympo 2016 Secretary, Major Sanjeewa Assaddumegedara on Mobile: 0777707889 or e-mail: sanjeeva75@yahoo.co.uk