Winning twenty six local championships in the local arena and winning the runner-up in the recently concluded Asia Championships Dinesh Deheragoda is indeed an iconic personality in the Sri Lanka Motor Sport franchise.
ThePapare.com caught up with this gentleman to share the story on how he controls power beyond reality.
1. What was your introduction to the sport?
I started my racing career way back in 1997. Since my childhood I had loved the sport. You could call it my childhood passion. Other than motor sports I was heavily involved in Rowing at college level and later on at club level too. But my favorite and the sport that drove my instincts was motor racing. I did not have any family background on the sport as such so at the beginning I basically found my way through the sport. I was the first person to race a Lancer Evolution in Sri Lanka. The first race that I ran was called Eliyakanda hill climb where I finished third. That was when I realized that power without control is very dangerous so I decided myself to get professionally trained so I flew to England and got my self-trained and I won the first race that I took part after the training and since then I have never looked back.
2. The common belief is that motor sport is risky. So what are the thoughts of your family and what is the support you got from them?
Unfortunately my parents were not alive when I started the sport so I did not have any problem in that regard. But my wife and the rest of the family are quite understanding. But, in answer to your question on how dangerous and so on I would say that it is safer than us driving on the road. I will give you an example as to why I say so, on a race track we only go in one direction so there is no way that you can get a vehicle coming on the opposite direction. Second thing would be that we are always prepared for an accident. I am not saying it is not dangerous, but it may not be as dangerous as a person not in the sport will perceive. They will not pass a car if it does not meet the minimum safety standards.
3. If you list down the achievements in your career, what are the most significant of them?
It is a coincidence actually my significant achievement in my whole career is today. Let me get to that point but let me first walk you through my career. The racing championships in Sri Lanka commenced twelve years ago, in 2002 and for the first two years I won the championship in the super car event consecutively.
Now let me get back to today. Since about 2009 and 2010 I had the vision of driving overseas.
I felt the need for a bigger challenge. Under no circumstances, would I say that the local racing standards are bad but there is still this margin where it should improve. It`s just that I have won 26 championships locally all in the super car event. So this year I took part in the Asia Cup Championship. This championship is governed by the FIA which is the world governing body for motor sports. It consisted of four rounds and the fourth round was supposed to be conducted in another weeks’ time in Thailand. But this morning we got a mail telling that due to political reasons in Thailand the event has been cancelled. I was already the third among eight drivers prior to cancellation but with the abandoning of the event it left in second in the Asia Cup Championships 2014 which was my dream and specially this my debut year in international racing as well.
4. Is there anyone who you idolize in the sport, both locally and internationally?
Well locally not really but internationally yes, I have a lot of respect for Sebastian Loeb. I say that because he has been very consistent. I mean in rally or motor sport you need to have consistency. It’s not just you come and drive a few kilometers and crash the car. No, you need to have constancy and the same time keep the pressure.
5. If you did not engage in motor sports what would you be today?
Well I am a businessman as well but in terms of sports I believe I would have devoted a little bit more time on rowing. I am still involved in rowing, I am the chairman of the National Selectors Committee. I believe I would have got a bit more involved in rowing if not for motor sports.
6. Tell us about the challenges and difficulties you faced from the start of the career up to this day in your career?
If I take the obstacles that I had to face when I first started my career way back in 1997- I did not have anyone to guide me as such. I just had the car, I went to the club I asked how to fill an entry form and all. I did not know the rules and regulations of the mechanical aspect of the sport so I had to find a mechanic myself and instruct and tell him the needs and the rules and the regulations and build up on my own. In fact I would say it is the carbon copy of those obstacles that I had to face through during my first international race as well. To be honest I found my way through in this sport to who I am today in this sport.
7. Earlier on you mentioned the fact that the standards of the Sri Lanka racing has room to improve. What aspects need tuning-up?
Yes, we need to focus more on the safety side a bit more I would suggest. If I may talk about improvement in Sri Lankan racing, the events are conducted quite satisfactorily but we need to do a lot more for the safety standards to be improved. In another aspect where the driving standards are concerned; we are very much behind the international standards. We may thrive here but when we are put out, especially in FIA events where the cream of drivers come we really see where we are. So that is something to think about.
8. As a professional of the sport now, what will be your advice to the youngsters who are taking their maiden step to this sport?
The main thing that I can tell about motor sport is that you need to be prepared. You should not wait until the last moment. You should have a vision on what you have to achieve at the end of the year. The bottom line is preparation. You decide who you want to be. Power without control is dangerous as it is without legit planning and training.
9. Any final words?
The list is a little too long if I may talk about my achievements internationally for me to be here today, I would first like to thank my sponsors Ezy racing without them here I would not be here achieving these milestones today. Then also to my family for putting up with me, being away from the country etc. Also not to forget the Minister of Sports Hon. Mr. Mahinda Aluthgamage who has been a strong pillar in my international carrier. Then the governing body of Motor Sports in Sri Lanka the SLAS. And it is appropriate that I mention my previous sponsors United Motors Lanka PLC who were with me for fourteen years so it is very important that I mention them and to all the people who have supported me even with one word. Thank you.
ThePapare.com hopes Deheragoda will literally break further barriers and make Sri Lanka proud!
