Racing cubs with loudest roar

How two Sri Lankan boys battled against terrible odds to win the coveted Asia Cup unprecedented for their country after a frightened mother once saw one of them airlifted in a medical emergency

By Ranjan Anandappa

Two brothers both racing prodigies, one who has not even entered his teens, barely able to place their feet on the ground on their machines have given motor sport in Sri Lanka great expectations by winning a major championship at the recently concluded Asia Cup Road race.

The hackneyed adage of fortune favours the brave prevailed during their race in Malaysia and both Jaden and Aaron Gunawardena, sons of ex-racing champ Shane Gunawardena, are modest to admit that there were better riders in the arena than they were but the more accomplished did not have the guile and the composure that they had for the big stage.

They beat riders from advanced nations like Japan, Thailand, India, Philippines and Indonesia.

When most kids their age would be indulging in electronic pastimes or seeking the latest products from Disneyland, Jaden (13) and Aron (12) have become the country's bravest siblings able to even beat veteran pros on the race track at local events. What the two brothers did was unbelievable to the point that most Sri Lankans have yet to sit down and take note of the feat.

Both are students at the Gateway International College in Negombo and while the school has been supportive towards their racing obsession it also emphasizes on the academic interests of the boys.

But the two champion riders have also got to contend with their anxious mother Nalika who understandably prefers to see the boys indulge in a less dangerous sport after seen one of them airlifted off the track and rushed away in a medical emergency.

"She (mother) always used to tell us to play a game like cricket, but the passion towards the sport (of motor racing) which has developed through my father has kept us in the run. My mother seldom comes to see us performing", said Jaden.

But Nalika will not hold back any of her emotions. "As a mother naturally I was horrified when my son was airlifted out of the racing circuit concussed with fractures. It is sad that I had to reluctantly agree with their choices as they have grown up and I cannot watch them every moment. Still my only wish is that they take up a sport that does not put their lives at risk", Nalika told the Sunday Observer.

Shane Gunawardene the father of the boys has been a champion rider and inspired by his heroics Jaden and Aaron showed tremendous interest towards the sport at the early age of five by taking part in under-10 events and then taking on teenagers in higher category events.

Jaden may not have any accolades for his fear-ridden mother but has full praise for his father who is his greatest fan.

"My father took both of us to another level", said a blushing Jaden, the elder of the two. "We could compete with the other Asian riders. We are also glad that he has also bought us motorcycles similar to the ones we raced at the Asian Championships.

"But what saddens us is that we do not have similar events in Sri Lanka to the ones that are being conducted in the Asian Championship".

Jaden is unlikely to be at the Asia Cup in the future as his father wishes to see another promising boy fill his shoes so he can also move on to competing in the bigger 250cc events with the aim of staking a claim at the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Younger brother Aaron can be over-the-moon when it comes to looking back at his exploits. "I should thank my father for all the encouragement given to us. Without him nothing would have been possible. I hope to participate at this year's Asia Cup as well. But I am not sure who will be my partner as my father is keen on paving the way for another rider.

"I also like to participate on the underbone bikes as it is a very popular event throughout Asia.

"Hopefully we would have these events in Sri Lanka. As we will be able to get foreign riders to come here and compete. Success doesn't come overnight", said Aaron.

"It took us about eight years of hard work to come this far. I am proud of the achievement and the glory we were able to bring to our country.

"Although we were crowned as champions in the Asia Cup I believe that luck had also smiled on us. We also prayed and that too no doubt helped us towards our success.

"I have no doubt that the support given to us by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and the new president of the Motorcycle Federation Avindra Mirando also contributed towards our success", said Jaden.

But would the two brothers have gone on to do much bigger things had they been in some other country as they have now proved that they are kids with a magical touch.

Aaron like his brother Jaden could only hope that what they have achieved will inspire more kids to take to racing in a country that will also be able to open more avenues now that they have set the course that Sri Lankan boys can be second to none.