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Mahagastota Hill climb rolls on today
Seventy years of motor racing history unroll on the hilly climbs of Mahagastota when the CIC Autofinish comes to a close this morning. A total of 60 cars will make the climb up the 675 yards of the famous hill climb. First up the hill will be the 1922 Austin in the very capable hands of Bri Ponnambalam.

From the 20's to the 50's the next era covers the MG TC and TD of Clive de Silva and Freddy Alles, into the Morris Minor and Traveller of Rohan Gardiarachchi and Priyantha Wanigathunga. Four wheels give way to two, as the 1954 Norton Dominator comes up the hill. The mid fifties are also represented by the first of the VW Beetles. The action gets sportier in the second half of the fifties with the arrival of the MGAs of Chanaka Jinasena and Sheran Fernando.

The Triumph TRs are also well represented with Rilley Wanigasekera's TR2 going ahead of the slightly later TR3s of Clive de Silva, Sidath Fernando and Freddy Alles. Also from the mid fifties the Peugeot 203, driven by Mohan de Silva and Senaka Amerasinghe. Also from the fifties are the Sunbeam Alphines (Jay Wanigasekera and Rhamzi Ahamed) and the Borgward Isabella of Bri Ponnambalam. Interestingly the Borgward, Rhamzi's Alpine and the MGA were also run in the Historic Racing class on Saturday.

The swinging sixties are represented by the classic Mercedes Ben's of T.R. Dias, Sidath Fernando and Hatim Akberally. The faster 1600 MGA will also be on display under the classic hand of Mohan Vannitamby. The 2 Austin Healy's of Sidath Fernando and Nigel Austin complete the classic collection of British sportscars. Also from the sixties, Sunil Dias' Honda dream and Peugeot 404. Classic motor cycles continue with I.P. Rehan's 250cc BSA and Rilley W's Triumph Tiger. The sixties are rounded up with Ruwan Weerawardane's 1660cc Beetle.

Enter the 70s and the Austin Mini hits the road. 7 classic minis range from Mahen Madugalle's 998cc, through to Lal Jayatissa's 1275cc. The mini era continues with the 5 Mini Mokes of David Todd, Vinodh Wijetunge, Hussain Akberally, Namaz Fowzie and Sudath Siriwardena. Also from the 70s, the MGBs of Lalith Illangakoon, Asgi Akberally and Y. Amarasekera. On the same lines again, the 70's are also represented by the Triumph Spitfires, Ford Capri Mk1 and the Lotus Elans.

The two Lotus' will be driven by maestro Rohan de Silva and CMSC stalwart Ranjit Jinasena. The latter car set the fastest time of the day in 1972 of 45 seconds, under the care of older brother Nihal Jinasena.
Come what may today it will be a piece of history reenacted on show and for those who missed all this please do not envy us.

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