Motor Racing: Dinesh Deheragoda in APRC Asia Cup rounds

Dinesh Deheragoda, multiple Sri Lankan rally champion, will contest the Asia Cup rounds of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship this season.   “Our team vision was first to start local and then go on to represent the country overseas in a FIA sanctioned event. Today we announce the beginning of our international journey in Motor Sport, commented ARS Team Principal Sajitha De Mel. He further stated that this would be an opportunity to market Sri Lanka as a tourism hub and attract foreign investments.   Multiple national champion Deheragoda has won over 272 podium finishes in an illustrious career spanning over 17years, and has previously competed in three international rallies.   “I feel proud to be a part of a professional rally sport team.Advent Rally Sport would be my future rally brand. This yearI will pilot the Mitsubishi EVO X at rallies in Malaysia, Japan, China and India. I believe already in the Asian region I have stamped my authority that Sri Lanka too have drivers that could potentially be competitive. I guess this would be evident in the years to come.This year we start our campaign with the Asia Cup that kicks off in Malaysia and then moves to Japan, China and India.   Most of our competitors arrive in Malaysia after having concluded the Pacific Cup challenge that was held in Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. They would most certainly have a good measurement of how their cars perform and react to different terrains. We expect it to be a difficult rally as Malaysia is considered to be the toughest rally for the cars. We are hopeful of bringing home some strong results and will most certainly phase ourselves in a manner that would help us to peak at the right time”.   Although ARS will compete in the Asia Cup this year, Team Principal Sajitha De Mel explained there is a plan in place to build ARS into a major force in APRC, with the intention to contest the full championship from 2016 onwards.