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Sports

Mahagastota pre-event
They are on the road again
By Hiranthi Fernando
Cars and more cars, ranging from classic ones to flashy modern ones, from standard to modified, will be lined up at the Galle Face Hotel car park by 8. 30 a.m., on September 29, 2004. The event is a press briefing arranged at the hotel in the run up to the 70th Anniversary Mahagastota Hill Climb, by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), the organizers of the event. Several past and current competitors are expected to be present at this event, along with their cars. You may even see a parade of these cars, old and new, along Galle Face. All are welcome come to see these cars, some of which you may not see on the road again, say the organizers.

This special Anniversary Mahagastota Hill Climb, to be held on September 18th and 19th, is sponsored by CIC Autofinish Paints. CIC Paints (Pvt.) Ltd., is the market leader in the automotive paints industry and Autofinish is a new brand that is just being introduced to the market. CIC is also co-sponsoring the 2005 Mahagastota Hill Climb, which is held annually in April. CIC interest in this event is because it displays the evolution of motor sports in Sri Lanka, from the oldest models to the modern formula models. MTV is Electronic Media Sponsor, while The Sunday Times is the Print Media Sponsor.

Early communication between start, finish and 'crows nest' was by means of ex WW11 field telephones. In the good old days, the race was sometimes held up to permit a funeral procession to enter the cemetery at Cemetery Corner.

Originally there was no bank at Cemetery Corner and a 4 foot high bank of sandbags had to be built each year. This was the most frightening corner for a novice driver.

The old faithful bridge at the start finally collapsed four years ago and had to be completely rebuilt. It was the duty of the children of the committee members to tie the tape at the finish after every run. Many veterans of the CMSC started their involvement with the club in this way.

The commemoration stone near the finish was erected 20 years ago to celebrate 50 years of the Mahagastota Hill Climb. The stone was unveiled by T.S. Jinasena and Roger Davies, the two most senior members of the CMSC. Roger Davies came to Sri Lanka especially for this event. The commemoration stone itself was dug up from a field in Mahagastota by T.S. Jinasena.

Some interesting snipets
The cars originally raced on a gravel track.
Timing was originally done by a man standing on a hill above the start line, dropping a flag at the correct time.
The commentary was given form a platform built across two tall trees, just above the second hairpin bend - hence the name 'crows nest'.

Over 45 entries for classic cars and current racing cars have been received to date. Entries close on September 1, 2004. Entry forms are available at Jinasena Group, 4, Hunupitiya Road, Colombo 2. Telephone - 2448851 - Thanuja.

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