I did it my way
One of Sri Lanka’s well known racing drivers, Upulwan Serasinghe, who earned respect as an expert in the Ford Lazer event is contemplating calling it quits from active racing after a great stint of over 15 years.
Serasinghe, who has recorded numerous wins at local racing events revealed his intentions in an interview with the Sunday Times.
Upulwan Serasinghe, with a section of trophies that he won during his career. - Pix by Amila Gamage
While explaining his unyielding passion for motor racing expressed his concern over the existing disharmony among the stakeholders that is pulling back the progress of the sport to a great degree. This he stated after deciding to move away from the once strong Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) which resulted in forming the breakaway faction as SLADA or the Sri Lanka Autosports Drivers Association, which also included many well known individuals of motor sports in the country.
“The dominance of one group has proved to be a serious concern after nearly a decade. I was an active member of the SLARDAR when it was considered as the premier motor sports association of Sri Lanka. Then again the conduct of some individuals with personal agendas has indirectly caused unwarranted problems, which later resulted in many riders and drivers losing faith on SLARDAR. Most of them forgot that SLARDAR was just an organiser and conductor of events hosted either by the Sri Lanka Army or Air Force. Most of them forgot that we did not own any of those tracks that the races were conducted. That’s when a majority of its members became unhappy of what is taking place which resulted in a mass exodus,” Serasinghe pointed out. After forming the new outfit, SLADA, it successfully conducted the legendary Foxhill Super Cross motor racing event which attracts many drivers and riders from the local circuit as well as from other countries. Serasinghe who entered racing coincidentally after winning a challenge thrown out by one of his closest friends, to beat him in a race on a public road, by this time is an expert of both on and off the field challenges of motor sports. His experience as a racing driver who regularly competes in Ford Lazer, 1300cc, 1500cc and 1600cc car events for the past 15 years has made him the ideal man to administer the sport he loves.
But his greatest worry was the lack of backing from state officials for a sport that needs more and more financial support. Despite motor racing as a sport facing many developments over the years, Serasinghe longs for a comprehensive national championship besides the annual ceremony which recognizes the hard work of the riders and drivers at the end of a season. In that aspect he greatly attributes the contribution of Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Air Force who host the bulk of motor racing events all over the country.
“There are other clubs like the AMRC, Carlton, CMSC and Ceylon Motorcycle Club who can be proud for conducting their own events, of which most of them have rich histories. Even at the famous Foxhill Super Cross when SLADA conducted it for the first time, there were record number of entries. This shows the difference. Clubs and Associations should understand that drivers and riders are the ones who make them stronger as a group. One should get out from the mentality of personal agendas. The number of racing drivers in Sri Lanka might be somewhere closer to 200 and if we divide into groups the sport will never prosper. But all riders and drivers are accountable to Sri Lanka Automobile Sports or the SLAS which is the controlling body of motor sports in the country.”
“The racing fraternity should pay gratitude to Sri Lanka Army and Air Force for in that case, for helping the racing drivers and riders by providing challenging tracks. If you look into it more seriously almost all the racing tracks in Sri Lanka belong to either the Army or the Air Force. There are a handful of other tracks which are privately owned but activities are not the same. Though it is insufficient from one point of view we, as seniors of the sport, should commend the amount of contribution they put out, to unearth new talents,” pointed out Serasinghe commending in particularly the service rendered by the Speedrome Go Carting Centre in Battaramulla, which he rated as the ideal platform to create technically perfect racing drivers.
Serasinghe was of the view that Go Carting, a new induction of motor sports to Sri Lanka though it is widely recognised and used as a first step of motor racing globally, could help produce a Formular1 driver in the near future. Serasinghe, in his mid forties, merely laments for not being able to make his first step through Go Carting, stating had it happen the present breed of racing drivers would have reached the global circuits.
“In that case Dilantha Malagamuwa is a real go-getter. But in a country like Sri Lanka Dilantha’s achievement is a one-in-a-million case. It’s hard to say if a racing driver’s value can go high in a country like Sri Lanka where the competitor has to stomach much of the expenses which may sum up to millions an year. The country’s background and the economic situation play a big role in the sustainability of motor racing. But there are sponsors who come forward though you cannot name it as big, but it’s really up to
Upulwan Serasinghe stressing a point.
satisfactory,” stressed Serasinghe who has won a load of trophies and medals that could fill a lorry.
Serasinghe is happy of what he has achieved so far as a racing driver, coming out of nowhere to reach the helm of being a national champion in his events consistently for ten years. His skills proved so much that Serasinghe has a record at his favourite circuit, the Foxhill, where in 2008 he ran six events and won five races and became runner-up in the other. Unlike many other competitors senior and junior to him, Serasinghe was a married man of 24-years when he entered motor racing. Up to date his passion and commitment for the sport has kept him going, besides the daily-improving skills. Serasinghe goes back 15 years in time, as he makes up his mind to switch off the revving engines of his racing cars for good.
“When I really wanted to get into motor racing I did not have anything at all, not even a car. Then coincidentally one of my friends gave me a challenge to beat him on the road. I took it on and won the challenge on a Corolla DX 72 wagon car and that was the very beginning of my racing career. Whenever I compete I’m highly committed but then again you need luck to win. In addition as competitors we must help each other when at good and bad times. And the most valued thing in motor racing is to complete the race, knowing the fact that there is only a winner and two top finishers. That will make you a good driver. Today motor racing hardly attracts newcomers though it’s a thrilling sport for spectators. As a matter of fact I may run for a season or two and think about calling it a day,” Serasinghe, a happy man who runs a successful business of his own, supported by a caring wife and a motor sport loving son finally said.
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