Gajaba Super-cross:

Teenager outsmarts big guns, turns rankings on its head

by Geesha Munasinghe

Seventeen year old rising motorcycling racing star Jacques Gunawardena out-rode many of the fancied bikers while driving sensation Ashan Silva once again stamped his class at the Gajaba Super-cross 2015 which concluded on a grand note at the Gajaba racing track in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura last Sunday.

Silva secured wins in both of his 3500 CC and SLGT championship category races to grab the best driver's award while Gunawardena finished the 125 CC (2T) - 250 CC (4T) MX event first in Race One before finishing second in second race to bag the best rider's overall award on points.

The wins took Ashan Silva to the top of the points table in the CEAT/ SLADA drivers' championship while the victory of Jacques Gunawardena created a stiff competition for motorcyclists in their race to become the champion driver at the end of year.

Silva displayed his class all over the track to provide maximum entertainment in both of his events while Ushan Perera and Janaka Dias secured the second and third places respectively in the two events.

Former national champion Pasindu Pieris was placed fourth on both occasions. Missaka Navin came in fifth in the first event and former champion Aravinda Premadasa won the fifth place in the second event.

The championship event for motor cyclists saw an intense battle between the big names with champion riders Shehan Adhikari, Ishan Dassanayake, Indian star K P Aravind and young Jacques Gunawardena in the fray.

But the youngest of them all, Gunawardena, lived up to expectations to win the first race.

Ishan Dassanayake and Shehan Adhikari shared the podium after the first event in the second and third positions respectively. Adhikari managed to win the second race ahead of Gunawardena who came in second. Aravind was placed third.

However, according to the points system Jacques Gunawardena was named the champion rider of the Gajaba Super-cross 2015.

The 1600 CC SL/H car event saw Sajad Zuhair placed first and Damith Weerasinghe second ahead of Zakir Wahab who came in third on both occasions. Zuhair also went on to win the 1500CC SL/S special event to grab a triple crown. Kushan Peris and Zakir Wahab came in second and third respectively. Young Kushan Peiris who is going great guns in the current CEAT-SLADA series, secured the two 1500 CC /1300 CCSL/N Ford Lazer/ Mazda car events ahead of Lalin Kirinde who secured the second place in the 1300 CC event. Romesh Gunawardena was placed third.

Veteran driver Upulwan Serasinghe was forced to be satisfied with the second place in the 1500 CC event while Tharindu Dharmaratne was placed third.

Dinesh Senanayake (Group SL S Carsup to 1500 CC), Evon B Gurusinghe (Motorcycles over 175 upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125 CC ( 2T) race 2), Ishraq Wahab (Group T and J Open -Diesel), Ravi Mayadunne (Petrol), Rugvi Babujee (MX over 65CC upto 85CC (2T) under 16), Tyronne Hendawitharana (Group SL- H Subaru Legacy 2200 CC), Nimna Abishek Bandara (MX Motor Cycles (Junior ) upto 50 CC over 7 under 10 years), Evon B Gurusinghe (STD/MOD motorcycles over 175 CC upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125CC (2T) M Race 1), Ishan Dassanayake (Racing motor-cross bikesover 100 CC upto 125CC) and Kesera Godage (MX Motorcycles over 65CC upto 85CC (2T ) under 13 years) were also among the notable winners.

Results (winners only)

Group J- MX Motorcycles Over 65CC upto 85CC ( 2T ) under 13 years

Kesera Godage

Group MX Racing - Racing motorcross bikes Over 100 CC upto 125 CC ( 2T) Forces event

Sameera Premaratne

Group SL- A Modified Cars upto and including 1050 CC

W A G Rangana

Group SM Super including 250 CC upto750 CC (4T) and 125 CC upto 500CC (2T )

Sachithra G Rajakaruna

Group SL- H Cars upto 1600 CC race

Sajaad Zuhair

Group M - STD/MOD motorcycles over175 CC upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125CC (2T) M Race 1

Evon B Gurusinghe

Group MX Racing - Racing motorcross Bikes Over 100 CC upto 125CC (2T)

Ishan Dasanayake

Group SL-N Standard Cars - Ford Laser/Mazda 1300 CC

Kushan Peiris

Group SL- H Subaru Legacy 2200 CC (one make)1.

Tyronne Hendawitharana

Group J - MX Motor Cycles (Junior) upto 50 CC over-7 under 10 years

J M Nimna Abishek

Group MX over 175 CC upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125 CC (2T) MX race

Jacques Gunawardena

SL GT Cars upto 3500 CC race 1

Ashan Silva

Group SL N Ford Laser/Mazda 1500 CC

Kushan Pieris

Group M Standard/Modified Motorcycles over 100 CC upto 125 CC (2T)

Madura Pieris

Group J MX over 65CC upto 85CC (2T )under-16

Rugvi Babujee

Group SM Super Motard including 250CC upto 750 CC ( 4T ) and 125 CC upto 500 CC (2T) Race 2.

Sachira G Rajakaruna

Group SL S Cars Special upto 1500CC

Dinesh Senanayake

Group M STD/MOD motorcycles over 175 upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125 CC (2T) race 2

Evon B Gurusinghe

Group T and J Truck and Jeep Open-Diesel

Ishraq Wahab

(Petrol )Ravi Mayadunne

Group SL H Cars upto 1600 CC race 2

Sajaad Zuhair

SL GT Cars upto 3500 CC race 2

Ashan Silva

Group MX over 175 CC upto 250 CC (4T) and over 100 CC upto 125 CC (2T) MX race 2

Shehan Adikari