CEAT Mahagastota Festival of Speed 2016

Year on year, we witness many a driver take up the challenge and race against the clock, to establish not only a win, but also to better a personal best set by themselves or members of their own families. This takes us down the trails once more, where many a family were involved in the sport, spent many a Sunday morning at Maha, trying to establish a better timing. 

One family where three generations have taken part being the Jinasena family, where grandfather TS, and his sons Nihal, Ranjit and Rohan took part and grandchildren Suren and Chanka participated in later years. Father and daughter combinations too have been seen with evergreen Rohan de Silva and his daughter Shehara taking part, the Mason family had Edward (Bugs) Mason and his two sons, Rodney and Jeffery took part. Many a father and son have participated, from the Abeyratne family, to Mana Jayawaradana and son Dinesh, Suranjith Premadasa and son Aravinda, Sumapala Mannaperuma and son Madushan, Suren Cooke and sons Sheran and Rajitha, Bandula Weerasinghe and son Darin, Cassim and sons Jawid and Ishraq… Some may have been missed and apologies for this.

As always, April brings out the best, and this year would be no different.  The CMSC has ensured safety is upgraded, with barriers being erected along the track to ensure safety, while the curbs of the track are being upgraded. This is a long term investment for by the CMSC, looking at the future and next year marks the 80th anniversary of the prestigious event. 

Looking back over the years, the landscape of the area remains the same, but the thrill of adventure remains higher as every aspirant to the records, are out to break them, ensuring a nail biting event will be witnessed by all.

CMSC President said: “It is with much delight that we are being partnered by CEAT Mobil Lubricants, Mc Foil, Mahindra, Ideal Motors, The Blackpool Nuwara Eliya, Spencer Wadduwa and Mahagastota Estate Nuwara Eliya. All leading brands in Sri Lanka and their continued commitment to the sport is encouraging. It is due to their assistance that the track upgrades have been possible and I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart. The Classic Car Parade will take place on the 9 April, while the National Status Event will take place on 10 April.

“This year sees the CEAT Mahagastota Festival of Speed being added to the SLAS National Championship, which is bound to attract the cream of riders and drivers. Defending course record holders Nishan Weerasooriya and Ananda Sampath are bound to take part to protect the prestigious title, while Others in the fray Rohan de Silva, Darin Weerasinghe and Aravinda Premadasa to name a few, will take the wheel behind their machines to get the fastest time for the day.”

Entries will be accepted till Monday 4 April and are available at the club office, Ceylon Motor Sports Club, Jinasena Properties Ltd., 2A, Hunupitiya Rd, Colombo 2. Contact Hamidon on 072 764 5081 or email [email protected] for more details.