Malagamuwa makes history — podium finish at Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final
Sri Lanka’s racing ace Dilantha Malagamuwa made history in global motor racing when he became the first from the tiny Indian Ocean island, to claim a podium finish at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final at the Imola Circuit in Italy.
Malagamuwa, who was slotted to start the final race from the rear bunch, after a slight mishap on the previous day, gained possession gradually, becoming the first Sri Lankan to finish third in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final for AM and LG categories. To achieve this feat, the lionhearted driver, hailing from Kurunegala, had to brave obstacles that were meant to overcome.
“It was a tough weekend, but I and my team were really thrilled and surprised to see closer to 1000 Sri Lankans living in Italy with hundreds of Lion flags, just to see me performing. It was a great encouragement for me and this was the first time in my racing life that I saw such a turnout of Sri Lankans at a foreign venue. I didn’t want to disappoint them, I wanted them to take back good memories and the rest is history,” Malagamuwa, elated of his maiden Lamborghini World Series feat, said.
Malagamuwa, competing under AM Class, was forced out of the First Race of the World Finals on November 18. Highly disappointed by the outcome, Malagamuwa was classified at 11th in the final ranking after the First Race, but since he managed to complete more than a third of the full race he was slotted to begin the Final Race of the World Final on November 19 from behind.
On the decisive day, Malagamuwa was blocked from proceeding soon after the start after two drivers from the USA spun on the second turn on the track. He was pushed to 16th out of 27 competitors but gritty as ever, Malagamuwa gained possession by moving to 10th in no time. The 50-minute final race was escorted by the safety car thrice and by the end of the third procession and a pit-stop Malagamuwa was the overall fourth. With only eight minutes from the checked flag, Malagamuwa gained the third position and soon made a clever maneuver to claim the second spot behind eventual winner Massimo Mantovani of Italy.
But to his dismay two a clash between two cars in the rear bunch forces the within seconds, with just six minutes into the finish forcing Malagamuwa to finish at third according to FIA competition guidelines, where the standings of the previous lap becomes effective when a race is red flagged. In the end Italy’s Mantovani claimed the top spot followed by J. Laurent at second and Malagamuwa at third and he became the first ever Sri Lankan to claim a podium finish at a Lamborghini World Final.
“I’m the happiest sportsman in the world, with all these people from my country behind me,” an elated Malagamuwa said to an Italian television channel soon after the end of the race.
But for the celebrated Sri Lankan sportsman, the achievement at the Imola Circuit, a Formula 1 racetrack on which Brazil’s Ayton Senna lost his life in 1994, this is just the beginning of a journey on a different path. Malagamuwa has been Sri Lanka’s pride in motorsports ever since he decided to go global in 1985. Since then he has claimed over 200 podium finishes at local meets and well over 150 podium finishes at international events including championships at the Japanese N1, a few Malaysian Super Car Series, a GT Asia Series, an Asian Le Mans, a Pro Am B at the Lamborghini Super Tropfeo Asian Series, NGK Enduro 3 Hour Endurace Race in Dubai and an Xtra Class title at Blancpain GT Sports Europe Championship. But above all he feels winning the hearts of millions of Sri Lankans is his greatest ever achievement.
“I have won many races in the Asian region, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Dubai but those were not my only achievements. At present I’m the only driver from Asia to claim most wins in Lamborghini cars. That record and the constant wins opened doors for me to compete in Europe and the podium finish at Imola is special for many reasons. I’m the first Sri Lankan to claim such a win there and above all I saw how Sri Lankans are fascinated by the fact that I’m making my country proud. Unlike other parts of the world, Sri Lankans in Italy hardly get an opportunity to wave the Lion flag with pride and I’m really humbled that I gave them a reason for that. I truly am indebted to all Sri Lankans, that’s the reason I have this sticker ‘Main Sponsor – Humble Sri Lankans’,” an emotional Malagamuwa stated.
Malagamuwa does not intend to stop there. He has bigger plans in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final in years to come. Had this year’s final ended in 50 minutes as slotted Malagamuwa would have had the rare opportunity of claiming the win of the race. But he had to finish at third and by virtue was place fifth overall in World Rankings in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo AM Class.
“Next season I will fully focus on winning the World title. I will compete in Dubai and Europe next year and fully gear up to make my country proud. As sportsmen from a country like Sri Lanka, we are always compelled to move on with disappointments, mainly because of others and higher authorities concerned. But as citizens and sportsmen who love the country we can change our own fortune. I have been successful in my struggle and I found a way to meet that challenge through Dilango Racing, which was formed in 2009. I will race for another decade or so but by the time I throw the towel, I intend to create a Guinness World Record in motorsports,” Malagamuwa revealed.
To support Malagamuwa’s cause two local companies, Laugfs and Greentel, came forward as sponsors and the two entities have pledged their support in time to come. To bolster further, he created a lineup of franchises of Dilango Racing, which includes racing shirts, watches and other accessories. Malagamuwa becomes the country’s first sportsman to launch such a retail shop, which was declared open in Kirulopane on Friday. The intention behind opening such an outlet, according to Malagamuwa, is to fund his international racing projects.
“Only a portion of the income would be used for racing. I have two sponsors, where I can be proud about, and a portion of the income will go to a social cause, the Little Heart Foundation of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. As much as Sri Lankans love me, I should return their love in some useful way. I have been in international racing for 37 years now, and I intend to become the longest reigning international driver and set a Guinness World Record. But my immediate goal is to win the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final next season. This is just the beginning, the best is yet to come,” a highly motivated Malagamuwa, said in conclusion.