Ushan and Rumesha are top guns at Sevanagala
Text and Pix by Shanuka Aravinda
Driver Ushan Perera and rider Rumesha Bultjens stood above the rest among over 150 participants at the 9th Walawe Supercross 2019 held at the Craftsman Autodrome in Sevanagala last Sunday. Perera snatched the award for the Best Driver, after an electric turn of events, while Bultjens was crowned the Best Rider in the annual motorsport gala organised by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Engineering Corps and conducted by Ceylon Motor Cycle Club.
Team CEAT, represented by Ushan Perera and
Malika Kuruvitarachchi emerged the Best Team in
Car events while Lahiru Jeevantha led his team -
Sri Lanka Army -- to glory, annexing the Best
Team award in Motorcycles. Young and aspiring motorsport star, Kesara
Godage, emerged the Up and Coming Sportsman for his prolific performances in both Cars and Motorcycle categories. Deshan Solanki, who dominated the Super Motard event, winning both its races, won the 'Ananda Wedisinghe Memorial Trophy.
The Best Rider, Rumesha Bultjens, was only second to Jacques Gunawardene, who claimed the Race 1 win of the Class MX Motorcross. Bultjens was in full throttle in Race 2, as he managed to come from behind and snatch an impossible win and thwart Gunawardene from becoming the best among the riders. Shanuka Sandaruwan was comprehensive in both races to finish at third place.
Gunawardene had the easy opportunity to lift the Best Rider title, if not for his failure in maneuvering the muddy track in the Race 2. The instant Gunawardene failed to negotiate and fell on the track, Bultjens capitalised and dominated Race 2, and was adjudged the Best Rider. Last year's champ, Ivon B. Gurusinghe faced an early exit from the events, when he met with an accident in the Class M Standard and Modified Street Trail Race 1.
Ushan Perera, who finished third in the SL GT Class (up to 3500cc) Race 1, behind Ashan Silva and Kapila Nishantha, made a strong comeback in the second race to win the Best Driver award. But Perera had to make a oneon-one battle against Nishantha in Race 2, before winning it. Silva, who is the dominant figure in motorcar events, had to retire premature by Race 2, as his car toppled after the front right wheel crumpled. However, Silva was able to get his car back on the track and finished the race with a broken wheel amidst the applause of the spectators.
The 9th Walawe Supercross included 12 cars and 12 motorcycle events, while Causeway Paints came forward as the main sponsor. Ashok Leyland came in as a co-sponsor and Wijeya Newspapers Ltd contributed as the official print media partner for yet another year.