With the end of the war many have devoted themselves towards bringing a new era to our motherland with socio-development projects and recreational and sporting activities with the hope that it would bring great mental relief to thousands of people who suffered under the claws of terrorism. The Sigiriya Rally Cross worked out on the 27th of September 2009 was one such effort driven to make a change in the locality.
The Sri Lanka Air Force in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association Of Racing Drivers and Riders conducted the meet successfully on the newly built rally cross track. The track been partially tarmac and partially gravel was a unique feature.
The event attracted many enthusiastic fans, talented drivers and dare devil riders along side two Indian representatives from the TVS team-
At the conclusion of the event talented driver Passindu Peiris was adjudged as the driver with the most number of points at the meet and was awarded the Dayandra Samarasinghe challenge trophy and teenager Ishan Dassanayake was awarded the Roshan Goonatilake challenge trophy for been the rider with the most number of points at the meet.
With the hope of returning next September for another exciting rally cross at Sigiriya the day came to an end.
Then a week later a gear change brought me to my last stop- Mirigama.
One of the major drawbacks in the local motor racing arena was the lack of a permanent track for drivers and riders to practice and test their machines prior to a racing meet. But that gaping hole in the motor sports ladder was successfully filled on the 4th of October with the launch of the Mirigama Super Racing Track. The launch was quite the colourful event with many renowned racing figures been present, who subsequently gave the gathering a display of their skills and talents spinning their wheels around the track. This contribution to the motor sports field was made by Deshabandu Jayantha Perera at his own personal cost. It is evident that the present and the future racing enthusiast will be highly appreciative of this opportunity.
The 1.4km long track with its 11 corners will be the battle ground for the riders and drivers on the 1st of November 2009 when the Sri Lanka Motor Cycles Club conducts the first meet on this track. Eight motorcycle events and eight car events are scheduled to be worked out. Expectations are that this event would be a great success.
Venushka Gammampila