Dilan's drive to the top

By Natasha Fernandopulle

"I had a very bad crash… and that was how I started my career!" Yes, a 'start' which would have certainly been the 'finish' for most aspiring race car drivers but that was not the case for Dilan Seneviratne (25). This was in Pannala in May of 2005 but a month later, he went on to win his first race in Katukurunda in his Honda Civic V Tec.

This car certainly has a close place in Dilan's heart as he has been racing in it for the past two years. He started off this year racing in the Nissan March event and won both the races he took part in. Since his Honda Civic V Tec days, which was just two years back, Dilan has come a long way and now races in the Formula Ford Event as well. "This is one of the hardest events and almost all the drivers are very experienced," he says. "Definitely lots of practice!" was his response to how much is needed.

There are around 20 Formula drivers in Sri Lanka. When I asked him what he has gained, he said, "when racing a Formula, you never stop learning!" Dilan does not intend on running the Nissan March in the future however he does want to get back into the Honda Event or the SL GT Event which is better known as the Super Car Event here, in Sri Lanka however the one thing holding him back to get into this event is the lack of sponsors.

With regard to the difference in racing a 'Stock Car' and a 'Formula' he explained, that the Formula is a single seater. With regard to the driving position he said the gear is on the right had side and not the left adding, "Formulas are much faster and requires a lot more technique than driving a Stock Car."

Dilan had been interested in racing in the Formula Ford Event since early last year and finally managed to get in to it. He went on to say, "If you are thinking about a career in racing internationally, the best option would be to race Formulas." In fact, last year in February, he represented the Sri Lankan team that went to India for the Formula LGB races in Coimbatore, India and finished… seventh overall whilst competing amongst top Indians drivers!

Tips for those interested… well, in his opinion he feels, "the age of 18 is a good time to start racing," adding that in Sri Lanka there is a lack of young drivers. This young driver has had 10 wins since May 2005, he has come second in five races and third in three races. So to sum it all up, within the last two years, in just 21 races, he has had a total of 17 podiums. In fact, from all the races he has not been placed in only four races! This certainly seems like the start of a bright career for this young man.

"I initially got a lot of help from Zackie Ismail, better known as 'Tuned I-Chips,' who is the official tuner for my Honda and he has helped me a lot in my racing," said Dilan. He also went on to say, "undoubtedly in my opinion he is one of the best Honda tuners in Sri Lanka." Dilan also mentioned that one of his closest friends and his guru Dinesh Jayawardene has been there for him, always.

Mc Foil and Mobil have helped him immensely in his racing career as well. "My mother has been a lot of help and courage and I couldn't have done it without her," he said lovingly.

Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara