Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Young Jacques Gunawardena is in luck’s way for his motor racing career with support coming from McLarens Group of Companies. Jacques is to leave the island to compete in the FIM International Motor Cross Championships in Malaysia on 8 June. He is expected to leave on 5 June.
Mc Larens Group of Companies which in keen on promoting motor racing in Sri Lanka has wholeheartedly decided to support this youngster for the these international championships. McLarens Group which had a good look at this youngster’s achievements in the past few years has made it a point to take care of him especially in the international arena where he currently is the only Sri Lankan motocross rider to have consecutive podium finishes on both his tours at the FIM Asian international motocross championship.
In fact Jacques has done well last year appearing in international championships reaching the podium as the second runner up. This 13 plus lad had to compete alongside the heavy weights in this field from the Asian region. McLarens Group considering his capabilities on foreign soil wanted him to make it to the championship this year too as he has improved heavily during the past year as well as this year winning most of the events he competed. In 2012 he won all his events in the under 16 category and reaching the podium on three occasions as the second runner up in the upgraded event 125 racing.
In Philippines he appeared for the first time and was placed third in both races in round three and four. This performance caught the eyes of the McLarens Group and it wanted him to compete this year too as he is sure to impress with his performances in this category.
Jacques commenced his racing career as a toddler at the age of five following in the footsteps of his father Duane and uncle Shane. From the day he entered the racing field he came up with flying colours to get to the podium on every occasion. The year 2012 was his best where he achieved thirteen victories while being placed third on three occasions. He was declared the champion rider in the age group under 16 Motor Cycles (85cc and 125cc) in the SLARDAR and the National Championships. Now at 13 Jacques is a rider who is looked for by all motor racing fans in Sri Lanka as well as in the international arena for dare devil riding capabilities. This tour by this youngster well supported by McLarens is sure to bring glory to him as well as for the country.
Soft spoken Jacques is a student of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, and a young lad who never forgets to thank God for all his blessings and his parents and all who are behind him in his success.