Kushan steals the limelight
Young driver Kushan Peiris stole the limelight by bagging three awards at the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) National Championship Awards Ceremony for 2016, held at the Grand Monarch Hotel in Thalawathugoda.
Peiris bagged three awards dominating the group Ford Laser/Mazda up to 1300cc event on both tarmac and gravel surfaces and shared the Group Ford Laser Mazda 1500cc championship with veteran driver Upulwan Serasinghe.
Ushan Perera won the SLGT up to 3500cc National Championship on Tarmac and shared the gravel category with Pasindu Peiris. Up and coming driver Yasith Gamage, Zaakir Wahab and Upulwan Serasinghe were the others to win two awards each.
The President of SLAS, Major Dilhan Jayawardena, presented a plaque of appreciation to the Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekera for his guidance and Vijay Gambira, the Managing Director and CEO of CEAT Sri Lanka, who have been the main sponsors of motor racing in Sri Lanka.
“Please set aside differences and unite to develop motor racing in Sri Lanka. Life is too short to fight each other. So, get together with all the lovers of motor racing and improve the sport,” requested Minister Jayasekera addressing members of affiliated clubs of SLAS, launching the National Motor Racing Championship 2018, where the National Championship Award Ceremony for 2016 was held.
“Sri Lanka was far ahead of India and Singapore in the motor sports arena 25 years ago, but today we have fallen far behind. I congratulate the democratically appointed council of SLAS headed by Dilhan Jayawardena for taking steps to introduce safety measures for competitors, increase safety factors of tracks, training officials and competitors and providing opportunities for new comers to participate in the amazing sport of motor racing. I am also aware of the excellent new plans by SLAS to take the sport to international standard and I will extend my fullest support and cooperation to keep Sri Lanka’s motor racing on the right track,” he added.
SLAS President Jayawardena, who has made significant contribution to motorsports, and one of the pioneers of launching Foxhill Supercorss in 1993, emphasised on the importance of adhering quality to the sport through sportsmanship and better understanding.
“We have given priority to the 3Ds -- Discipline, Development and Delivering, which is essential to take motor racing in Sri Lanka forward,” Jayawardena said while presenting his future plans.
The tentative Motor Sports calendar for 2018 was presented by SLAS Council Member Shehan de Thissera. Ravi Dadlani, the Vice President Sales and Marketing of CEAT also addressed the gathering. Minister Jayasekera presented the National Awards, which were given under two categories -- Tarmac and Gravel. The sponsorship agreement between SLAS and CEAT Sri Lanka was exchanged at the occasion for the coming motor racing season and the 2 0 1 8 N at i o n a l Championship.