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| Sunday, 2 June 2002 |
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Sri Lanka's first custom-built motor racing track opens for competition... Pannala International Circuit to prop country's bid for Formula 3 status Sri Lanka took a giant step in the development of motor sports this week, with the unveiling of the country's first, and at present subcontinental Asia's only, purpose-built motor racing track at Pannala, 65 kilometres northeast of Colombo. Built, promoted and to be operated by Speed Development Lanka (Pvt) Limited, (SDL) the Pannala International Circuit represents the first serious attempt by Sri Lanka to become a regional hub for motor sports and to attain Formula 3 status, the company's Deputy Chairman K. Omprasadham told a news conference at the site. The two-kilometre bitumen surfaced track built on 33 acre site will host all categories of races for Standard, Modified and Formula cars, Standard and Racing Motorcycles as well as Standard and Racing Go Carts under the auspices of the country's accredited motor sports bodies and will also be promoted among international race organisers, he said. In a message to the promoters of the circuit, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando said the Pannala race track had his government's fullest support and blessings, as it would elevate motor sports in Sri Lanka to a new dimension and is potentially a major boost to tourism. "I understand that motor racing is the sport that attracts the most investment globally, and has a huge following in the region, especially in India. Local enthusiasts have been starved of good competition due to the absence of a proper venue. A planned second phase of development, the track will be enhanced by a host of other facilities for competitors and spectators". Mr. Omprasadham said. These include grandstands, paddocks, garaging facilities, on-site trauma care clinic chalets and restaurants. He said Speed Development Lanka was confident of making a successful case for the inclusion of Pannala as a venue on the Asian championship circuit and was committed to provide the facilities and infrastructure of internationally stipulated standards to back a bid for Formula 3 status in 2004. The Pannala International Circuit was designed in consultation with Colin Marshall, the Thailand based British racer and owner of the only racing team to win the FIM Asian Motor Racing Championship twice and is built at the site of what was once known as the 'Gold Wing' track, a gravel circuit established by motorcycle racing ace Upali Dassanayake. The site has been secured by SDL on a long lease. The new circuit comprises eight corners and three straights, and its average speed has been clocked at 130 to 140 kilometres per hour. The surface of the track, safety barriers, 22 pits and other infrastructural requirements will conform to the specifications for Formula 3 racing by the world governing bodies for motor sports - the FIA for motorcars and the FIM for motorcycles, Mr. Omprasadham added. Speed Development Lanka CEO Pradeep Moraes said the company was in the process of signing sponsorship and supplier contracts with some of the country's top companies. The permanency guaranteed by a purpose-built track with world class infrastructure, professional management and expert organisation of events will translate to unprecedented potential for commercial exposure of brands, he said, pointing out that the following for motor racing is universal and cuts across all social and other barriers. Spectator capacity on site is about 30,000 while the local electronic audience is guaranteed to top 500,000 per event. Pannala is also expected to spark significant international media interest, providing sponsors and advertisers with greater visibility overseas, he said. The development of motor sport in Sri Lanka has been hampered by the lack of a permanent international standard venue, he added. This has resulted in all parties involved, the competitors, spectators and event sponsors losing out. The opening of the Pannala circuit would provide the venue and the continuity required to satisfy all segments. |
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