Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Saturday, 6 November 2010 04:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Indika Sanjaya (Driver) and Navin Marapana (Co Driver) showed their supremacy once again by comprehensively winning Sri Lanka’s premier annual off roading event, the “Taprobana 4x4 Challenge 2010”.
The Taprobana Challenge has been held annually since 2004 and has been the benchmark event in the Sri Lankan 4x4 Calendar. This year’s event had a truly international flavour with foreign journalists and event officials from Malaysia in attendance.
The duo showed why they are considered to be the best team in Sri Lanka by successfully defending their National Championship. Driving a heavily modified Land Rover Defender they showed perfect coordination and skill to overcome all the obstacles placed before them in this deep jungle event.
Indika and Navin who have been sponsored by the Land Rover agents in Sri Lanka, Frontier Automotive Ltd since 2006 have dominated the 4x4 scene in Sri Lanka for the last six years. They have become National Champions in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010 whilst emerging 1st Runner up in 2004 and Second Runner up in 2008. (They did not take part in 2006).
This years, Taprobana Challenge was held in the Jungles of Buttala and Monaragala and exposed the competitors to different types of terrain during the week long event. From crossing rivers, driving in deep mud, climbing rocky hills, the Challenge had it all.
“Our Land Rover performed beautifully and did not let us down. We thank our sponsors Frontier Automotive Ltd for all the support given to us,” said a jubilant Indika at the Gala Awards Ceremony held at Water’s Edge. “The event was very well organised and had a lot of International Marshals and foreign media. This has the makings of a top rated international event in the future,” he added.
When asked what the secret of their success was Navin had this to say “We put it down to the fact that both Indika and I are very professional in our approach to 4x4 racing. Things such as our vehicle preparation, physical fitness and event logistics are taken very seriously and we dedicate a lot of time and effort to it. Also Indika and I have complete faith in each others abilities and we really enjoy what we do. That has brought us much success.”
A journalist from the prestigious “Land Rover Owner International” Magazine from the UK who covered the entire event had this to say “It is a treat to watch Indika and Navin in action. They are truly world class. I have invited them to take part in a few events in the UK. They have the potential to beat the best teams in the UK with their skill and determination.”
Suresh Chathuranga (Driver) and Ravindra Sanjeewa (Co-Driver) also driving a Land Rover Defender emerged 1st Runner Up whilst Viraj Rathnatileke (Driver) and Sudath De Silva (Co Driver) emerged 2nd Runner up.
This event was conducted by the Four Wheel Drive Club of Sri Lanka and its Event Director was 4x4 veteran Sean Hameed who was assisted by Rushiran Silva and the Executive Committee of the Four Wheel Drive Club.
