Rally drivers set for three-night test

by Geesha Munasinghe

The Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) and the Colombo Motor Sports Club (CMSC) are set to initiate the rough terrain rally which will bring on board skilled drivers from around the country to take part in this mega sporting spectacle.

SLARDAR have proudly joined hands with DIMO as the title sponsors for the entire event set to cover three nights in segments called the SLARDAR 1000 which will cover approximately 1000 kilo metres from February 19 to 21, the Colombo Rally Challenge which will cover approximately 400 kilometres on June 18 and 19 and its second leg over the same distance on October 8 and 9.

"These Rallies are among the toughest and most gruelling motoring events to ever take place in Sri Lanka and this event will witness a coverage of around 1800 kilo metres over an expanse of roads and trails that would encompass passing through the misty hill country, elephant infested jungles and fast gravel roads setting the drivers a test where both man and machine would experience the ultimate endurance", said SLARDAR president Nishan Wasalathanthri.

Ranjith Pandithage the Chairman of DIMO who are the sponsors of the event said the rally will break new ground and turn a new chapter in the annals of motor racing in the country.

"Jeep is proud to partner SLARDAR in the first ever Jeep Rally Championship 2016. We believe this gruelling event brings out the core values of Jeep and the passion behind off-road driving where man and the machine both will be tested", he said.

The reliability and skills of the driver combined with the machine's resolution as well as the navigator's sense of direction are quintessential in achieving the top spot in the championship.

The decisive moment when the winner would be announced would place the champion on the pedastal of national recognition and for the first time in Sri Lanka, gaining the stature of a Champion of the TSD Rally Championship which will be the ultimate recognition a rally driver, navigator as well as a team could ever achieve in the face of serious rallying.

The championship will also act as a testing ground for the strong-willed, physically and mentally conditioned participants.

The rally will be flagged off at the DIMO 800 showroom in Colombo and the first car will hit the start at 7.02 p.m. Drivers will have a 90 minute break in Kurunegala from where they will proceed to Kandy.

The third stage will commence from Kandy at the KCC car park at 4.00 pm and will run for nearly five hours to finish in Kandy once again where competitors will have a two-hour break and commence the fourth stage to Ratnapura.

The fifth and last stage will start in Ratnapura and finish at the DIMO 800 showroom by 7.00 a.m on February 21.The SLARDAR 1000 awards ceremony will take place by 11.00 am at the premises.The Championship Awards Ceremony will be held along with the Sri Lanka Super Series Awards night at the Eagles Lake Side in Ratmalana on November 26.