Sri Lanka could reach great heights in "Off Road" events

by Ranjan Anandappa

MOTOR SPORTS: Given the proper resources and the cost Sri Lanka could reach great heights in the Off Road events like the recently concluded one The Malaysian Rainforest Challenge 2007, in Terengganu, Malaysia recently.

The Sri Lanka team Frontier Automotive Land Rover duo Indika Sanjaya (Driver) and Navin Marapona (Co-driver) emerge runners up (Diesel category) in the most toughest and ardous Internationally represent Off Road Event in the World.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the competition Marapona and Indika showed tremendous improvement since their last participation finishing behind Denmark who won the event with the Lankan duo trailing by 23 points.

"The entire competition lasts for ten days, which eight days are in the thick jungle. Two events are in the prologue area where people could watch and there after you disappear in to the jungle and you are on your own." said Navin Marapona.

Marapona a Barrister at Law and Indika Sanjaya the owner motor engineering work shop specialising in Land Rover combined their driving ability and recovery skills in strategizing the team passage through the competitive stages.

Quick thinking, ground reading ability and mental toughness was the key to form and ideal combination.

"It was amazing, high adventure with a lot of fun where we made lot of friends and competed hard" said the co-driver Marapona.

"When you go through the process and survive it gives a new perspective to life and who could overcome any challenge may be in personal or social life. Because when you are in the thick of the jungle you have only your self and solve all your problems with no help.

The 10 day competition is a treacherous 300km drive, driven at snail pace at times in the thick of it. In Sri Lanka there are about 5 teams who could match any team in the world in the competition.

"It is fantastic if more of our local teams could participate in these competition, but sadly lack of resources and finances do not permit to do so," concluded Marapona.