Monday Dec 16, 2024
Saturday, 11 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Motor racing fans are in for a treat this summer thanks to the Asian Motor Racing Club and Sri Lankan Association of Racing Drivers and Riders. The two organisations have combined forces to jointly host the CEAT AMRC-SLADAR Tarmac Championship which is comprised of three glorious racing events with a total of over 60 races. Neth FM and Fox FM are the radio partners.
The first event has already passed on 30 and 31 May at the Katukurunda race track, excited spectators jammed into the stands so they could watch the cars and motorbikes speed past to the sound of wild cheering. 22 races took place and each race had trophies given to the first, second and third place winners who proudly ascended the winner’s podium to the sound of near-deafening roars from the crowd.
Six of the car races and two of the motorbike races gave the racers points towards the ultimate championship, which will have eight car champions and two motorbike champions based on how many points they win during the three meets. Even those who didn’t take part in the first meet could still win a championship trophy if they do well enough during the other two. The final victor for the first meet’s racing cars category was Ashan Silva and the ultimate winner of the motorcycle races was Pramuka Sesath De Silva.
Whether they’ll triumph again at the SLT Katukurunda races on 25 and 26 July remains to be seen. Once again, 20+ races will be held starting at 9 a.m. 26 July. There’ll be a special Classic Car Parade where 30-40 classic cars will wend their way down the track, demonstrating that a car need not be speedy to be beautiful. Formula race cars, on the other hand, will show their aerodynamic flair as they rev up for the races.
The most highly anticipated races are the GT up to 3500cc race and the SL-H up to 1600cc race in the car categories with the motorbike races for up to 1000cc and 600cc drawing equal amounts of attention.
The event will be broadcast live on Rupavahini but for those lucky enough to be able to attend in person, they can purchase their tickets at both gates. Racers, however, must sign up before 16 July at either the SLARDAR Office, Nugegoda or at the Speed Drome, Battaramulla.
Finally, the trifecta will end in Pannala at the Pannala Circuit Meet on 3 and 4 October. To celebrate, there’ll be a dance held on the track as well as contests for most colourful car, loudest speakers and other categories that spectators can enter.
Ready your engine and prepare for the most exciting races of the summer!