CEAT lends traction to top racing drivers

Seventeen of Sri Lanka’s leading racing drivers will be supported in their high-octane heroics by top tyre brand CEAT as a result of a new partnership forged by CEAT Kelani Holdings with Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), the country’s national controlling body for automobile sports.

Under the agreement, the Ford Laser/Mazda 1300cc and 1500cc racing events at four tarmac meets, three hill climbs and three road races, have been designated as ‘one-make’ races by the SLAS and all drivers taking part in these events will be required to use CEAT tyres if they wish to earn Championship Points.

To facilitate the process, 17 drivers competing in these categories who registered with CEAT Kelani Holdings Sri Lanka, were presented a set of CEAT tyres free of charge at a ceremony attended by senior officials of the company and SLAS.

The 10 race meets covered by the agreement between CEAT Kelani and SLAS are the Radella Hill Climb, Mahagasthota Hill Climb, Eliyakanda Hill Climb, Kandy Night Race, Colombo Night Race, Nuwara Eliya Road Race, Rotherham Katukurunda and three tarmac racing events on the Pannala race track.

“This partnership with SLAS and leading race drivers reflects our confidence in the performance capabilities and durability of CEAT tyres, even in extreme conditions,” Ravi Dadlani, Vice President – Sales and Marketing of CEAT Kelani said. “Over the years, CEAT Kelani Holdings has contributed significantly to raise the profile of racing in Sri Lanka and this partnership enables the company to play an even greater role in the evolution of motor racing in the country.”

The 17 race drivers who have registered with CEAT are, Lieutenant Colonel Duminda Jayasinghe, Upulvan Serasinghe, Susantha Gunawardana, Roshan Dissanayaka, Dhammika Peiris, Shantha Priyankara, Chaminda Weerasuriya, Mohan Perera, Lakmini Narada, Randika Niroshan, Romesh Goonawardana, Irfan Fuard, Janith Kumarage, Prassanna de Alwis, Rohan Fernando, Bhathiya Abeygunawardana and Aloka Wettasinghe.

In addition to the first set of tyres presented to these drivers, a second set of tyres will be provided free of charge at the conclusion of four races, the company said. If the drivers require additional tyres, they can be obtained at a discount of 50 per cent from CEAT Kelani.

Besides the drivers already registered with CEAT Kelani, other drivers who wish to take part in the two designated racing events throughout the season may register and obtain CEAT tyres free of charge from the company.

CEAT Kelani Holdings was the title sponsor of the CEAT-SLARDAR Championships of 2010 and 2011 and also supported the Fox Hill, Cavalry, Gajaba and Gunners Supercross events, the Sigirya Rally and the Rotherham Circuit Meet last year.

CEAT Kelani Holdings also supports cricket in Sri Lanka and was the exclusive sponsor of the CEAT Sri Lanka Cricket Awards events from 2009 – 11.