Big prizes at Janashakthi Full Option Mind Challenge Rally

MOTOR RALLY: There's big money to be won at the Janashakthi Full Option Mind Challenge Motor Rally to be held on Sunday November 16 starting at 7 a.m. from Excel World, Colombo. Rs. 100,000 will be given away as prizes.

That's not all, there will be 50 trophies too up for grabs in the various categories. There would also be a great opportunity for all the participants and the general public who will be present at the venues to interact with the Janashakthi Full Option Management and staff who would be able to provide many special benefits and discuss the amazing number of benefit's the Full Option motor insurance policy is able to give its customers.

There will also be number of prizes and surprises being given away by Janashakthi Full Option.

Most people associate Motor Rally with thrills which are based purely on the drivers skill in handling a vehicle at high speed. However, the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) the premier motor club in Sri Lanka along with Janashakthi Insurance an innovative and leading motor insurance company in Sri Lanka have joined hands to organize a truly unique experience to the average drivers of Sri Lanka and the general motor loving public.

It is based predominantly on the team work of the driver and his navigator and on the mind power as much as their driving skills.

It provides an excellent opportunity for any motorists who would like to participate in a motor sports competition without having to do any special preparation of the vehicle, or needing any special driving skills. This event recognised by the governing body of motor sport, Sri Lanka Automobile Sports, as a National Event is organised as s "time and distance" rally.

The physical simplicity of this event is such that it is geared towards people who would want to use the vehicles they drive on a daily basis. However, the key challenge is how to obey all the relevant road rules and rules for safety whilst navigating yourself expertly to the finish as per the rules and regulations of the event is self is quite a mind challenge.

Each car will depart at two minute intervals. Competitors are required to be present at the start by 6.00 a.m. on the day of the event. The time and distance charts as well as the route instructions will be available for the drivers at the official driver briefing at the Janashakthi Full Option Auto Centre, No. 62, W. A. D. Ramanayake Mw, Colombo 2 at 5.00 p.m. on the 15th of November.

The rally will also end in Colombo at the same location where a mini carnival atmosphere is being arranged, with music from the renowned band FLAME and other food beverage outlets etc which would keep the entire family entertained. The entrance to the event is also free for the public and it is expected to draw a large crowd.

Another unique feature of event is that many of the veteran drivers of a bygone era will be taking part and would provide a great inspiration for the younger motor enthusiasts.

This event is also leading to the beginning a great celebration for the motoring fraternity with the club celebrating 75 years of motor sports next year. Mahagastota which is one of their most preferred venues for such events will be featured next year as one of the oldest venue in Asia, thus establishing the Ceylon Motor Sports Club as a leading club with a great tradition in the region.

Ideally, in this type of rally, the route instructions are not given to competitors until the day of the event. The compulsory co-driver has to calculate average speeds for each section of the rally according to the time and the distance given on the instructions, and advise the driver as to the optimum speeds to be maintained as well as the actual route to be taken. The speeds the competitors are expected to drive at, are all well within the maximum speed allowed by law, thus one will not see reckless or disrespectful driving on the roads while all road rules will also have to be obeyed.

There will be several check points along the away. Arrival at a check point early would attract debit points at the rate of 2 for every minute. On the other hand, arrival at check points late would attract debit points at the rate of 1 f or every minute.

The winners would be decided by calculating as to who would have the least amount of debit points on arrival at the finish.

The CMSC, which is currently the oldest motoring club in the country (74 years) possesses a wealth of experience in organising events of this magnitude. Competitors could be assaulted of a well organised rally that would above all be a event to participate in.

It is also noteworthy that officials who plot such rallies are always mindful of the fact that these rallies are run on public roads and hence the plotting is done so that competitors need not break speed limits or disobey any road rules.

A unique feature of this event will be that, the CMSC has created a class for veteran drivers, so that they may re-live the past experiences.

The classes are as follows: Overall Winners: (1st, 2nd & 3rd Places), Cars (1st, 2nd & 3rd places), Trucks and Jeeps (1st, 2nd & 3rd places), Trucks and Jeeps (1st, 2nd & 3rd places), Bikes (1st, 2nd & 3rd places)

Class Winners: Cars: Upto 1000cc (Group CNRP - N) 1st place only, Upto 1400cc (Group CNRP - N) 1st place only, Upto 1600cc (Group CNRP - N) 1st place only, Over 1600cc (Group NRP - A) 1st place only.

Trucks & Jeeps: Upto 3000cc (Group TJNRP - N) 1st place only, Over 3000cc (Group TJRP - N) 1st place only.

Veterans: (Group V) 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

(To be eligible to consider under the above groups, at least five entries should have been received and must be at least four starters for each group)

Team awards 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

The prize distribution will take place on the 16th of November 2008 at the Finnish. Closing date for entries will be on the 10th November 2008.

Entry forms are available at the CMSC office, C/O Jinasena Ltd, No. 4 Hunupitiya Road, Colombo 2. The Club has decided that only the first 50 entries will be accepted.