EZY Racing launches Kart Fighters with Speed Drome

Sri Lanka’s foremost motor racing team EZY Racing set about creating yet another historical moment in Sri Lankan motor racing when they announced their newest partnership with Speed Drome, to introduce the EZY Racing Kart Fighters, a Pro-Karting Challenge designed to attract new and younger drivers to motor racing.

This spectacular event, which is scheduled to be held on 15 September, is designed to encourage many youngsters to prove their skills on equally-powered Go Karts, and will be given a chance of a lifetime when the premier motor racing team will offer the Winner and the two Runners-Up the opportunity to participate in Round 3 of the Speed 2012 Championship.

EZY Racing Kart Fighters, together with Speed Drome, a subsidiary of the McLarens Group who are the owners of the Pannala Circuit, the country’s only purpose built motor racing circuit, in a bid to encourage young drivers to set their sights on the professional race tracks, introduced the Kart Fighting challenge, a one day Karting Tournament where the top three drivers will be given an opportunity to have their dreams of racing professionally realised.

The Winner will also be awarded the EZY Racing Kart Fighters Championship Trophy, as well as a cash prize of Rs. 100,000, while the top three will be given seats in the Suzuki Maruti Alto - K10 Racing Class which is designed as a perfect platform by the McLarens Group, for youngsters to get a grip of motor racing.   According to Shafraz Hamzadeen, CEO and Team Principal of EZY Racing, Kart Racing is the first rung of the racing ladder. “Kart Racing provides a level playing field to compete in. On most occasions you compete in an equally powered car against your competitor. In these instances the only thing that will provide you the edge will be your ability to drive technically and skilfully. Therefore, we strongly believe that this is the perfect stepping stone to motor racing.”

Hamzadeen added: “Professional motor racing has, hitherto, been viewed as a ‘rich man’s pass time’ and EZY Racing has changed that perception somewhat in the short span of its operation.”

Hamzadeen went on to explain that EZY Racing has opened the doors wide to racing enthusiasts and drivers by providing them the means, as well as the opportunity to race professionally, irrespective of their bank balances, and the EZY Racing Kart Fighters Championship is another step in that direction.

Uplifting motor sports is very important for the sustainment of the sport. Talking of the partnership with Speed Drome, Hamzadeen was very appreciative and emphasised on the praiseworthiness of Speed Drome which has spared no pains in providing yeoman service to the country in general, and the motor racing field in particular.  He stated that it was a great pleasure for EZY Racing to partner with Speed Drome in this event.

The EZY Racing Kart Fighters Challenge will be open only for novice drivers and would be restricted for existing race drivers. This would provide the necessary motivation for the younger drivers to participate. The Kart Fighter Program is scheduled to close applications on 10 September 2012 and only the first 100 applicants would be provided acceptance to participate. Commenting on this initiative, Dinesh Jayawardana, Director of Speed Drome, stated: “As an organisation Speed Drome has showed great commitment to the sport. This has been the inspiration behind our investment, being the country’s only Karting facility.”  

He emphasised that sustainability, opportunity and glamour went hand-in-hand in motor sports and the affiliation with EZY Racing would undoubtedly provide the necessary glamour which would thereby allow Speed Drome to provide young aspiring drivers the opportunity to make their racing dreams a reality.

Jayawardana further added that the prize money of Rs. 100,000 has never been seen even in professional motor racing and would, without doubt, create huge excitement for participation.

Speed Drome has the only Karting track in the country and is a foundation for many to enter into motor sports. The year-long Championship as well as the professional training that is provided by Speed Drome is a base for young talent to enter professional motor sports.

“We have so much untapped talent in this country and are determined to throw wide open the doors of professional motor racing to everyone regardless of their income or status. The only criteria are talent and the will to succeed and excel.  

Hence, we have come up with the EZY Racing Young Driver Program (ER-YDP) where the Kart Fighters are just the initial step. Our fan page has received many requests where youngsters have expressed their keen interest to take up motor sports. We believe the EZY Racing Kart Fighters would definitely fulfil our promise to our fans,” said Hamzadeen

Applications will be available at all EZY regional offices in Galle, Kandy, Matara, Ampara, Negombo and Colombo, as well as the EZY Racing fan page www.facebook.com/ezyracing. Alternatively fans can call 0114-366366 and collect their applications.