Ananda Wedisinghe and Dammika Peiris win two events each

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Auto: Leading rider Ananda Wedisinghe came roaring back to form with two wins while Dammika Peiris also excelled in the motor care category by winning two events at the Nuwara Eliya Road Races organised by the Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club and the Nuwara Eliya Motor Racing Club during the week in Nuwara Eliya.

The officials of the meet did a good job in organising this meet well and the weather too was very kind to them. There was no rain on the practice days though it was held in the afternoon. On the meet day too, there was no rain.

There was just one mishap in this race when Sachith Pathirana's Austin Mini was knocked from behind by Lakmal Wijeratne's Austin Mini 7 in the event for Mini 7 cars upto 1000 cc. Both cars went off the road sustaining damages. At the time of the accident Sachith Pathirana was in front and Lakmal Wijeratne breathing fire from behind in a neck to neck race. This resulted in Donald Buultjens who was lagging behind third winning the event with P.A.C. Pathiratne finishing second in a dramatic change of positions. Both drivers escaped without injuries.

Dammika Peiris fresh after his success at the Mahagastota Speed Hill climb where he won three events had another successful day this holiday season when he won two events. His first win was in the Standard cars upto 1000 cc which featured the Nissan March cars.

His second win was in the event for Ford Laser/Mazda cars upto 1500 cc where he had to fight a tense battle with Upulwan Serasinghe before reaching the chequered flag first.

But Upulwan took sweet revenge in the One Make event for Ford Laser/Mazda One Make event 1300 cc when he out-paced both Susantha Gunawardena and Dammika Peiris with fine run which had the spectators gaping. All three drivers were behind a Ford Laser.

Another race which generated a lot of interest was Modified cars upto 1050 cc which was for the high powered cars. Some of the drivers entered the fray. Ajith Keerthi behind a Austin Mini won this event with Sithara Peiris finishing second. But a Titanic struggle was witnessed for the third slot between Hafiz Cader (Austin Mini Cooper) and Yoga Perera (Austin Mini) both experienced drivers. It was at the finish that Yoga Perera was able finish ahead in what could be called a (Photo Finish) ahead by a few metres.

The new non-turbo event upto 2200 cc which featured the Subaru Legacy models was won by Hashene Peiris but was given a torrid time by Shantha Suraweera and Pradeep Wijesiriwardena before finishing in front. Dr. Sanjaya Sedera Senarath, a successful driver since of late finished fourth.

Veteran rider Ananda Wedisinghe known for his exploits in motorcross especially at Foxhill proved in no uncertain terms that he has not lost his touch when he won two events with ease pushing into second position his younger brother Udesh with some superb riding.

Ananda Wedisnghe won first the event for Super Motard bikes upto 250 cc riding a Yamaha. From the start he was in front though Udesh Wedisinghe tried to push him from behind but the elder one kept to his lead.

Ananda second success was in the Super Motard bikes upto 450 cc. In this race too he had to fight a battle with Udesh Wedisinghe who was riding a Yamaha this time but experience prevailed. Suraj Perera behind the Wedisinghe's finished third.

V.T. Vijaya Kumara regular participant at the Nuwara Eliya races won the event for racing upto 125 cc riding a Honda.

Shrian Rambukwella Samuel rode well to win the Standard event upto 250 cc while the event for Standard bikes upto 125 cc which drew the largest number of entries was pocketed by Chaminda Subhasinghe riding a Honda. It was the day of the Hondas as these machines won most of the events.

A new vehicle took the track which was the Micro Panda as the Course car driven by the veteran racing driver Kumara Samarasinghe. This vehicle which is new to the market and is yet to hit the streets. It is a locally assembled car with imported components.

Results:

Motorcycles

Group 'O' Standard upto 125 cc (4 stroke): 1. Chaminda Subhasinghe (Honda), 2. Sanjeewa Kumara (Honda), 3. Chathura Madhusanka (Honda).

Group 'O' Standard upto 125 cc (2 stroke): 1. W.M.H. Pasindu Weerasinghe (Yamaha), 2. Tuan Princy (Redhorn Racing), 3. S.K.P. Pradeep Kumara (Yamaha).

Group 'SM' Super Motard upto 250 cc: 1. Ananda Wedisinghe (Yamaha), 2. Udesh Wedisinghe (Yamaha), 3. Sarath Kumarasinghe (Dinidu Special).

Group 'O' Standard upto 250 cc (4 stroke): 1. Srian Samuel Rambukwella (Honda), 2. Lathika Shamal (Honda), 3. Tuwan Princy (Powerhorn Racing).

Group 'SM' Super Motard upto 450 cc: 1. Ananda Wedisinghe (Yamaha), 2. Udesh Wedisinghe (Honda), 3. Suraj Perera (Yamaha).

Group 'R' Racing Modified up 125 cc: 1. V.T. Wijekumar (Honda), 2. S.K. Tyronne Adrian (Honda), 3. Rohana Pathirana (Honda).

Motor Cars

Group SL-A Standard upto 1000 cc: 1. Dammika Peiris (Nissan March), 2. Harsha Panduwawala (Nissan March), 3. Tharindu Lokuge (Nissan March).

Group SL-A upto 1000 cc: 1. Donal Buultjens (Morris Mini), 2. P.A.C. Pathiratne (Austin Clubman), 3. Dilan Perera (Austin Mini).

Group SL-N Ford laser/Mazda upto 1300 cc: 1. Upulwan Serasinghe (Ford Laser), 2. Susantha Gunawardena (Ford laser), 3. Dammika Peiris (Ford Laser).

Group SL-N Ford Laser/ Mazda upto 1500 cc: 1. Dammika Peiris (Ford Laser), 2. Upulwan Serasinghe (Ford laser), 3. Duminda Jayasinghe (Mazda).

Group SL-A Modified upto 1050 cc: 1. Ajith Keerthi (Austin), 2. Sithara Peiris (Volkswagen), 3. Yoga Perera (Austin Mini).

Group Subaru Non Turbo event upto 2200 cc: 1. Hashan Peiris (Subaru), 2. Shantha Suraweera (Subaru), 3. Pradeep Wijesiriwardena (Subaru).

Another race which generated a lot of interest was Modified cars upto 1050 cc which was for the high powered cars. Some of the drivers entered the fray. Ajith Keerthi behind a Austin Mini won this event with Sithara Peiris finishing second. But a titanic struggle was witnessed for the third slot between Hafiz Cader (Austin Mini Cooper) and Yoga Perera (Austin Mini) both experienced drivers. It was at the finish that Yoga Perera was able finish ahead in what could be called a 'Photo Finish) ahead by a few metres.

The new non Turbo event upto 2200 cc which featured the Subaru Legacy models was won by Hashane Peiris but was given a torried time by Shantha Suraweera and Praddep Wijesiriwardena before finishing in front.