Colombo Supercross brings gravel racing to the capital

Navy Racing Club (NRC) track in Welisara, will host its inaugural race, the latest addition to the Island’s racing circuit titled ‘Colombo Supercross 2017’ this Sunday (7th) from 09.00am.

Colombo Supercross 2017 is a flagship event organized by the Sri Lanka Navy in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR).  This event will go hand in hand with SLADAR and Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC) and will provide the drivers and the riders an opportunity to compete in an international standard facility.

With all the gravel tracks in the Island situated away from the capital city, Colombo Supercross is a welcome addition to the Sri Lankan racing calendar especially due to its proximity to Colombo. The Sri Lanka Navy has been operating this facility as a training track for its team of riders but with the addition of this year’s event will join the Army and Air Force, who hold annual races at their very own race tracks, in hosting a national racing event.  Sri Lanka Army have 06 tracks under their purview while Sri Lanka Air force boasts of 02 tracks of their own,  the NRC track will serve as an ideal ground for the budding youngsters to take up motor sports specially due to the  ease of accessibility from Colombo.

The Car track is measured at 1.2km and includes up hills, down hills and drifting corners which is bound to provide the drivers an unprecedented experience while the Motor bike track which will be 1.8km in length and proudly boasts of the longest jump in the Island included in the challenging terrain. Like most tracks in the Island this track too was designed by Mr.Hans Ralf Karpenski and was assisted by the 9 time national champion Gayan Sandaruwan who was involved in preparation of the track as well.

In the Inaugural edition, Colombo Supercross will hold 22 events in total which will consist of 11 motorbike and 11 motorcar events.  Organizers have received a great response from the competitors with 124 motorbike entries and 91 car entries received for the competition. This event is to be associated with the “Sri Lanka Super Series” championship and will be contested keenly as the points accumulated at the event will come in handy in crowning the champion driver/rider at the end of the season.

Speaking to the media at the unveiling ceremony, Gayan Sandaruwan – Race coordinator of Colombo Supercross added that “This track was purpose built to fill the big void of a permanent track where the racing riders and drivers could train in an international standard facility round the year. All the other tracks in the country are only accessible to the competitors when a race is held at the venue. We aim to make this a full time functional race track from motor sports testing and practicing.” Revealing further plans for the future Sandaruwan added that “we hope to extend an invitation to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme  (FIM) the world controlling body of motorcycle sport to conduct an Asian championship event in the future ”

A major share of any profits made off this event is to be utilized for the welfare of the families of Navy war heroes killed in action and the brave Naval personnel injured and disabled during the war that ravaged the entire nation.