A media briefing was held at the Cavalry officers’ mess, Rock house camp of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps to mark the return of the Cavalry Supercross to the Sri Lankan racing circuit after a lapse of a year. This year’s event will be held on the 12th of June at the Cavalry Supercross race track in Panagolla, Kurunegala in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Rides (SLADAR) and will also be the first of the four legged CEAT – Sri Lanka Super Series 2016.
A brain child of Brig. Indunil Ranasinghe of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Cavalry Supercross graced the Sri Lankan motor sports circuits in the year 2010 and is primarily a fund raising project with a focus on providing improvements to welfare facilities that are made available for the immediate families of Officers and men killed or maimed in the battle. Furthermore, it is expected to assist in developing necessary infrastructure within the camps and Cavalry Supercross is expected to be an event that will be a source of sustainable income to feed such welfare within the corps.
The head table of the event consisted of Maj. Gen Milinda Peiris – Colonel Commandant of Armour Regiment & Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army, Brig. Indunil Ranasinghe – The Chairman organizing committee &General officer commanding 56th Division Vavuniya, Mr. Nishan Wasalathanthri – President SLADAR, Mr Ravi Dadlani – Vice President Marketing CEAT, Gayan Sandaruwan – Best Rider at Cavalry Supercross 2010 &Pasindu Peiris Best Driver at Cavalry Supercross 2010.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nishan Wasalathanthri – President SLADAR, mentioned that it was an honour to work with Brig. Indunil Ranasinghe who spearheaded the project with SLADAR in 2010 at the birth of this splendid race track.
He added that “The original ’SLADAR’ name was silenced at the race meets conducted by the Sri Lanka Army for a short period and I whole heartedly solute Lieutenant General Krishantha De Silva of Sri Lanka Army for doing justice to our club and getting us back on the grid. This club has contributed immensely to the development of Motor Sports in Sri Lanka. Also I would like to thank our co-partners, Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC), its president Mr. Dinesh Jayawardena who is also present here for an excellent partnership during the past few years and we’ve together have organized many meets with a different passion to drive the sport we love to a different level”.
Speaking next Brig. Indunil Ranasinghe – The Chairman organizing committee &General officer commanding 56th Division Vavuniya mentioned that “we are thrilled to have the Cavalry supercross back here again. The specially designed track, which gives consideration to the surrounding environment, will push the drivers and the riders to their limits and is guaranteed to thrill the thousands that are expected to witness the races. It will also serve to showcase the talents of our drivers and riders. Providing them with the ideal platform to hone their skills in preparation for future local and international races”.
The Cavalry Supercross will also be the flag-off event for the CEAT – Sri Lanka Super Series 2016 which will include four races in total. With Cavalry Supercross kick starting the proceedings on the 12th of June it will be followed by the first tarmac meet at Pannala on the 31st of July. The third race of the series will be a pleasant surprise as it will be held at the Commando training school in Uva Kudaoya where currently a race track to international standards is being built. Finally the 2nd tarmac event will be held on 13th November 2016 at the Pannala circuit tracks.
