Karting Champions: First ever national level kart race at Speed Drome, Battaramulla

Monday, 11 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The first ever national level Kart race was held at Speed Drome Karting center, Battaramulla on 7 August with the guidance and approvals of the Single Seater Formula Motor Racing Association (SSFMRA). The event was conducted by two well known motor racing clubs, Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC) in conjunction with Carlton Motor Racing Club. The event was participated by present and past Formula McLarens 1300 and Formula Ford 1600 drivers in Sri Lanka.

Single Seater Formula Motor Racing Association being the newly inaugurated governing body for the Sri Lanka’s Karting and Formula motor sports, issued their first organising permit to AMRC and Carlton MSC to conduct the first ever national level karting meet in Sri Lanka giving well due recognition to the sport as well as to all the drivers. The event was held as a night race, consisting of some of the senior as well as junior Formula drivers in Sri Lanka. The event was run in two weight categories, below 75kg Weight Category/Formula Light Weight (FLW) and 75kg or Above Weight category/Formula Heavy Weight (FHW).

The below 75kg’s category was won by Waruna Ranathunga starting the final race on Grid 3. Ayesh Bandara secured 2nd place and young present Formula McLarens 1300 driver Kevin Perera ended in 3rd place despite being on pole position for the final race. Waruna and Kevin battled it all the way for 1st place throughout the race adding class to the whole race. Waruna Ranathunga was identified as a potential Formula driver when he won the first ever Speed Drome All-Island Karting Champion which was held in year 2010.

Meanwhile at 75kg or above category was won by Emdad Hussain after a very competitive race with Chandima Goonarathna showing everyone what wheel-to-wheel karting is all about. The 2nd place was grabbed by Formula McLarens 1300 newbie Sam Smith while Chandima Goonarathna ended in 3rd place. Overall the first ever National level Kart meet ended in a massive success adding some spectacular competitive racing. AMRC and Carlton MSC hopes to host many national level karting race meets in coming few months with the guidance of SSFMRA.