Racing track at Welisara, the latest ‘wroom’ attraction
Sri Lanka Navy made the latest addition to Sri Lanka Motor Racing when they officially announced the completion of the ‘Navy Racing Track’ in Welisara. With this new track coming into operation, the three armed forces own almost all the motor racing tracks in Sri Lanka with Sri Lanka Air Force owning Katukurunda and Sigiriya. The tracks in Diyathalawa, Minneriya, Pangolla and Saliyapura are owned by Sri Lanka Army. The new track at Welisare will be the first by Sri Lanka Navy.
On the day of the official announcement on July 23 an exciting demonstration of races with the participation of renowned racing drivers and riders in the island treated the spectators with real taste of motor racing and riding at the new track.
Drivers testing the new track at Welisara
Gayan Sandaruwan of the Navy treated the spectators with a superb exhibition of riding skills on a 250cc Honda. The Sunday Times contacted the number one national motor bike riding champion on the specialties of the track he said that this track was laid with a especially treated clay layer which will suit the international standards where fifty competitors can compete in a single event. Motor cars can be driven in extra speed on over drives with the track in length of 1.2 kilometres with more up hills and down hills as well as more drifting corners and the motor bike track being the longest in the island with a length of 1.8 kilometres having seven bends, thirteen jumps including the longest jump in Sri Lanka. Speaking further Gayan said he himself with Ralph Karpinski designed the track with the blessings of the top officials of Sri Lanka Navy. Adding further he said that he and Karpinski were the two who designed the Minneriya and Pangolla tracks which are of high standards. At present there are five sailors who represent the Navy as motorcross riders.
The ace rider said that plans are underway for the laying of a mountain bike track within the complex enabling mountain bike riders to compete in championship events. There is a superb view of the track from the terraces which are at a higher level that will give the motor cross enthusiasts a complete satisfaction of view. At present the terraces can accommodate about 30,000 spectators and it is expected to improve more in the future as this track is the closest to the main city of Colombo added Gayan.
This new motocross track fulfils the non-availability of a motor race track for the Navy drivers and riders for training as the higher authorities took the initiative to construct a motor cross track for bike and car races at the Naval Complex in Welisara.
As motor racing enjoys immense popularity in Sri Lanka, drivers and riders receive phenomenal public attention and they constantly come into limelight due to the excitement and the thrills they bring into the sport. To reap enormous potential, the Sri Lanka Navy aims to train and develop young officers and sailors in the field of motorcross and the new track would be an asset to groom their talents. It would also be a good training, riding and driving facility for motorcross enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.
The Navy is making plans to hold the first-ever competition on the newly laid track the, ‘Navy Super Cross’ in September 2014 and later to host the South Asian Super Cross Games either in 2015 or in 2016.