Sri Lanka’s only Rallycross event, the Sigiriya Rallycross will hold its 2018 edition at the Sri Lanka Airforce runway in Sigiriya on the 27th May 2018. Organized by the Sri Lanka Automobile Drivers’ Association (SLADA) the event will be in aid of the Seva Vanitha unit of Sri Lanka Air Force.
Sigiriya Rallycross 2018 will be an important leg of the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) national championship where the riders and the drivers will be eager to accumulate the most points they are able to in the 3rd gravel competition of the year which will be crucial in deciding the national champions at the end of the year.
Rallycross is a unique form of racing as it combines both gravel and tarmac disciplines to provide a special challenge for the drivers and riders alike as they need to be able to compete and be equipped to handle both these contrasting conditions on a single lap.
Inaugurated in the year 2013 this will be the fifth installment of this one-of-a-kind competition. This year over 200 competitors are set to participate in 24 competitions which will no doubt be contested keenly providing the avid fans with a few thrilling races to remember.
Last year Sigiriya Rallycross was worked out as the final race meet of the year and was the race where the national championship was decided in the MX 250cc Motorcycles. Ishan Dasanayake did not have a great season last year and missed 4 events due to various injuries and was placed third in the standings before Sigiriya. Jacques Gunawaradane was the table leader with the veteran Gayan Sandararuwan in second place. Ishan who was the national champion in 2016 had to make sure that he wins both the MX 250cc races in order to retain his title, Ishan came out with a riding masterclass and became the best rider, with it retaining the national championship of 2017.
Ashan Silva had been the most dominant driver in the SL GT Cars up to 3500cc throughout the year and had already secured the national title having accumulated an unassailable lead in the event coming into Sigiriya. Young Kushan Peiris, who has been by far Ashan’s closest competition, came out with a roar in the qualification as he managed to clock the best timing in the qualification to get to pole position in the grid. Ashan however, did not waste any time as he straightaway managed to get into the lead in the first race and drove showcasing immense control to win the first race. Kushan managed to get revenge as he pressured Ashan from the onset of the second race which forced Ashan to lose control in a corner entering the gravel track and he had to retire from the race. Kushan who went on to win the second race was adjudged the best driver.
Both Ishan and Kushan will have to be at their absolute best if they are to retain the accolades they won at last year’s competition. Kushan will have to make sure he clocks the best time in the qualification to stay ahead of Ashan who will be determined for vengeance while Ishan will have to see off fierce competition from the likes of Evon Gurusinghe, Buddika Kasun and Gayan Sandaruwan.
Sigiriya Rallycross will no doubt be a captivating competition and we at ThePapare.com are committed to bringing you all the action as it happens from Sigiriya through live updates on the race day, reviews, photos and on our very own motor racing segment The Raceshow.
