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| Sunday, 13 April 2003 |
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VW Beetle Owners' Club office-bearers Volkswagen Beetles of an assortment of hues and vintages lined up outside the National Library Services Board at Independence Avenue on April 5, where the members of the Volkswagen Beetle Owners' Club had gathered for their 7th annual general meeting. Chief Guest J. P. Obeysekera of motor racing and aviation fame, recalled in his brief address, how he, along with the late Clarence P. Amerasinghe, founder of Car Mart Ltd, had run a VW Beetle, in the early 1950s continuously for a period of over 24 hours to verify the German manufacturer's claim that the VW could indeed run non-stop for 24 hours. Guest of Honour Mana Jayawardena recounted in detail his involvement in modifying J. P. Obeysekera's basic VW Beetle, in 1957, with a reversed mid-slung engine on a fabricated chassis and how, in the 1st stage of modification, the car had developed one forward and four reverse gears! The modified VW, initially dubbed the "VW Experimental" and later "JPO Special" is documented in motor racing history for numerous records achieved, before and after final modification in 1961. Marketing Director of Car Mart Ltd, Alex Coonghe, reiterated their commitment to the VW Club as the VW Beetle was solely responsible for establishing the "Volkswagen" name in Sri Lanka. Sponsor, Wurth Lanka demonstrated the versatility of their innovative motoring products ranging from lead additives for valve lubrication of pre '85 engines to under body sealants. The gathering enthusiasm of VW beetle fans in Sri Lanka will soon see even the few VWs presently reposing in graveyards, resurrected and rejuvenated and their unique flat 4s roaring on rally day in mid July. The secretary of the club confirms the election of the following committee members for 2003/04. VW Beetle owners could contact the club secretary on telephone No. 836899. President - Peter Jasinghe, Vice Presidents - J. Weerasuriya and S. I. Kulatunge, Secretary - Wimal Nugegodage, Asst. Secretary - Dr. Anil D. Liyanage, Treasurer - Neil Silva, Asst. Treasurer - G. N. Senaratne, Competition Secretary - Ruwan Punchihewa, Social Secretary - Ruwan Weerawardane, Editor - Nimal Wimalasuriya. Elected Members - Tissa Wijesinghe, Lal Hewapathirana, H. K. Amarasinghe, Mrs. R. M. Bandaratilleke, Vickrema Kuruppu. |
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