The race track at Saliyapura burst to life last Sunday with the roar of revving engines, the cheers of delirious spectators and the sight of a multitude of magnificent mechanical bodies soaring through the air, as the 11th edition of the Gajaba Supercross was worked off at Anuradhapura. The event drew a packed crowd comprising [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Those rev ving men in their manic machines

By David Stephens
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The race track at Saliyapura burst to life last Sunday with the roar of revving engines, the cheers of delirious spectators and the sight of a multitude of magnificent mechanical bodies soaring through the air, as the 11th edition of the Gajaba Supercross was worked off at Anuradhapura.

The event drew a packed crowd comprising motor racing enthusiasts from all over the island, who congregated at the event to witness 102 bikes and 91 cars navigate a tricky course, rife with treacherous turns and vicious dents and bumps, for a chance at glory in 26 events.

The Gajaba Supercross provided plenty of heart-stopping action for Motorheads across the country. Pictured here are some of the highlights from the event captured by Indika Handuwala.

The President of the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), Mahesh Gammanpila, described the event as a “110% success” based on both the crowd turnout and the performance of the drivers and riders.“This was truly a great event and a 110% success. We saw a large crowd and the races were very exciting and close,” Mr. Gammanpila said.

Statistically, according to the SLARDAR chief, the event, which is the fifth round of the SLARDAR-CEAT championship events, was an improvement from its previous incarnation, which drew a much lesser figure of 80 bikes and 70 cars.From a spectator’s perspective too, it was an outstanding motor extravaganza, with an abundance of thrills and spills unfolding on the course before them.

Aravinda Premadasa drove masterfully in both SL-GT 3500cc events to clinch the Major General WGDA Gunasekara Rolling trophy.
Amongst the bikers, Indian C. S Santhosh reigned supreme, sweeping both MX 250cc events to ride away with the Hans Ralf Rolling trophy.

Indeed perhaps the most gripping race of the day came in the biking category, in the MX 125cc (2T) event, where Deshani Solanki and Shehan Adikari went head to head. Adikari, although leading the race for nearly six laps, did not possess the physical endurance to maintain his advantage and eventually was pipped at the post by Solanki.

The day’s other winners were:
Forces Event – Group M – Street Trail upto 125 cc: Nihal Wijerathne, SL- A – Cars upto 1050 cc: W. A. G. Rangana, Forces Event – Group MX – Motorcross Bikes upto 125 cc: Mithun Jayasanka Sigers, Group J – Racing Motorcycles upto 85 cc – Under 13 years: H.E.D. Binula Kithalagama, SL N – Subaru Legacy – 2200 CC: Hashen Peiris, SL – N – Cars – Ford Laser  / Mazda 1300 cc: Nishan Wasalathanthri, Group MX – Motorcross Bikes upto 85 cc (2T) (Under 16): Jacques Gunawardena, Group M – STD/MOD Street Trail upto 125 cc (2T & 4T): Lahiru Jeewantha, Group SL- H  Cars upto 1600 cc: Ashan Silva, Group T & J  – Diesel Turbo Upto 5500 CC: Duminda Jayasinghe, Group J – Motor Cycles PW & QR upto 50 cc (under 10 years): Shavindu Shenal, Group MX – Motorcross Bikes upto 85 cc (2T) (Under 16): Jacques Gunawardena, Group SM – Super Motard upto 250 cc (2T & 4T): Udika Srimal Malavige, Group SL- A  -  Mini 7 1000 cc: K.

Parameswaran,  Group M – STD/MOD Street Trail upto 250 cc (2T & 4T): Shehan Tharuka Sepalage, Group SL – S upto 1500 cc: Kamil Hussein, Group SL- H  Cars upto 1600 cc: Ishraq Wahab, Group SL – N – Cars upto 1000 cc: Kushan Peiris, Group T & J  – Open: Ishraq Wahab, Group SL – N – Ford Laser / Mazda  1500 cc:  Kushan Peiris, Group M – STD/MOD Street Trail upto 250 cc (2T & 4T): Lahiru Jeewantha.




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