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| Sunday, 7 September 2003 |
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By Farah Macan Markar To fly. Soar in the air like a bird. That exhilarating pull from gravity, to the other side, for a moment. That's what nineteen year old Gayan Sandaruwan, does, with his motor bike. He flies.
Coming from a "Racing" family, (his father having done Cycle Road Racing, his "Mami" being an ex-Road Racing Champ), young Gayan would go watch them wheels spin competitively on the road, fighting alongside each other, pushing harder, to the end. His father not permitting him to a motor bike, as a kid (though today the tables have turned, his 7 year old "Malli" having one and coming second in the Gajaba Supercross 2003 in the kids 50-CC Motor Bike Race), Gayan would whiz around on a cycle. Says his mother, "He would do all kinds of crazy jumps as a kid, which would more than once cause his cycle to break". It was after his O'level's however that Gayan was first introduced to bigger brother of the cycle, the motor bike, and being trained by his father (who still is his trainer today) took part in his first race. The Colombo Supercross 2001 Motor Bike Event. Since then he has travelled around the country, racing in Kottawa, Anuradhapura, Kalu Agala, Ambilipitiya, Vijayaba, Thalduwa, Fox Hill and Nuwara Eliya.
Another aspect behind Bike Success, is Maintenance, which is not easy and financially draining. With the use of quick burner high octane patrol essential to feed it, and an ICU necessary to see to its injuries, Motor Bikes, it turns out, need a lot of TLC (Tender Loving Care). Good Bike Maintenance being essential for Winning Results Gayan says "I am thankful to Uncle Mahesh who sees to my bike's maintenance". Maintenance, practice and races, Gayan does a couple of free style stunts when doing his jumps. Pushing himself away from the bike, up into the air, leaning onto its sides, doing the 180 degree turn, in which he rides the bike, bending it as much, that it runs as parallel to the ground as possible, and getting on top of its handle, clapping the air with his feet. Of these exhilarating stunts, Gayan says it is necessary to first really know and become a part of your bike, get the feel of its handle in your hands, even away from it. The bike is the instrument. The rider its force. Both instrument and force need to become one, for a winning jump. The driver needs to become a part of the bike he's riding. He's got to ride with it, as Gayan says "Bike ekka, agata huru wenna oonay". What's his start like? "Not that good" says Gayan "I generally come up from the behind". The magic needed to do this? A lot of determination, a positive attitude, and to never give up. Says Gayan of these competitive critical moments "It's exciting. Your with the pack, and you have to fight your way, ahead. Once on the lead it is great, for your free to do whatever you want, like improvising your jumps". Having been to India last year for a motor bike racing training course, Gayan hopes to later on (after his A's) go train in Australia. As for taking part in international races abroad, Gayan says he has been invited for a few, but declined them, for feeling he needs more experience. Says his mother "Anyway we want him to finish his studies, before venturing for any races abroad". Of motor bike racing in Sri Lanka, Gayan says the standard is good. "We have a lot of talent, and can emerge internationally. The problem is there are not enough sponsors. It is not easy for most riders to get good bikes, good maintenance and professional training". Having studied at Thurstan upto his O's and going to Gateway for his A's (which he hopes to sit next June), other than biking, he also does athletics in school level, taking part in school and interschool 100m, 200m races. Gayan also likes swimming and cricket, and is ever keen to learn anything new on bikes. With seven year old Shanuka who is also into racing and an eighteen year old younger sister Nadeesha, Gayan hopes to do engineering, alongside motor bike racing in the future. |
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Champion
of the Gajaba Supercross 2003 Motor Bike Racing Event (organised by the
Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders), Gayan has always been
a winner, never losing a race, with the exception of his first, and about
three incomplete ones. Having taken part in 25 races, clinching 40
trophies, he is also the youngest Off Road Motor Bike Racing Champion.
Of
the Gajaba Race, Gayan says being in it, is a motorcyclist's dream, of
what a race should be, with riders from experienced local guys, to Indian
Champs racing in it. With a 125-CC bike, racing on off road tracks, which
are either muddy or sandy, at times wet at times dry, Gayan says to
practise is important, especially on all kinds of tracks. A "general
practitioner" on the Koswatte race track every Sunday, as the races
come closer, Saturday's come into play as well. With special
"bike-fit" exercises and gym, Gayan says it is necessary to have
a before hand go on the race track. "You have to get the feel of the
track. Sense its texture, moisture and heat. You, your bike and the track,
have to blend together, combining as one force. It is only then, you give
a good race to the finish".
