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| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
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The wheels go spinning by Farah Macan Markar The engine soars to life. The wheels of the Ford Laser spin and it's off racing on tar and gravel in various parts of the country at various times of the year. And towards the end of the year, its clinched the highest number of points, coming first in most of the races. The driver behind the wheel-Nishan Wasalathanthri-2003 SLARDAR (Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders) Champion in Group A cars, 12-14kghp Category.
Dressed in formal shirt and trousers, this 37 year old racing car driver speaks of what goes on behind the wheel, he's love for cars and racing. Having had a love for racing from small days, he's been associated with racing for the past ten years. His active participation in the track however, has been in the last two years. A committee member of SLARDAR, this is the second year the Championships have been held. Nishan was runner-up last year. This year he's Champion. The Championship consists of six races, starting in February and going on until late October. It consists of two tarmac races (Katukurunda), two gravel events (Foxhill and Gajaba) and two hill climbs (Radella and Karudupona). Clinching pole position in all his races, Nishan's won all, with the exception of the Gajaba and Katukurunda Race. In Katukurunda, the car had a mechanical problem. In Gajaba he had an accident. In Radella not only did Nishan win the race, but set a record, with the fastest timing-42.80 seconds. Born on January 4th 1966, Nishan's been in love with cars from young days, waiting for his father to go to sleep, so he could steal off with the car for a ride. Motor racing for Nishan today, is a pastime. "Being behind the wheel during a race, is a lot of tension, excitement and suspense. The event I drive in is the one which has the most number of participants. There are about 15 cars on the track. So the competition's pretty high. And you really feel the tension building in the start, waiting for the Go Sign". What's it like holding the pole position? "Difficult. Actually its easier to be the one behind. The tension is less. And you can see the car in front of you and find a way to overtake it. Being in the front you can never tell what will happen. You feel you are alone there, but you are not. There's so many cars just behind you, who'll seize the chance to beat you if given the chance. It's easier to chase someone, than retaining number one position". Seeing the chequered flag, how do you feel when you see it at last? "It's what any driver is waiting to get to first. I feel it's the critical moment of any race. There's so much of pressure all along when racing. It is only when seeing and getting across the flag you can feel any relief". How is it driving on different tracks? "Different. Each track even gravel to gravel or tar to tar is different. The weather, surface conditions, all differ. You've got to handle your car differently for each track. The hardest is Foxhill with its slippery conditions, loose gravel, wet soil and chilly weather". The SLARDAR Championships maybe the only Championships in motor racing to be held in Sri Lanka, but that doesn't stop Nishan from participating in other races as well. Last year he came first in the Colombo Supercross. This year he's runner up of the Matara Hill Climb and Kandy Wase Park Hill Climb. What's the secret behind his driving? "Preparation of car and a little bit of luck" comes the answer. "It's important to be physically as well as mentally fit to maintain the car's pressure through out the race. I'm a technically sound driver. You cannot be too aggressive as then you tend to make a lot of mistakes. You've got to be a bit aggressive, but be technically correct at the same time. It's also important to be calm". Having his own company which is into advertising, promotions and event marketing, other than racing he does not have time for anything else. "It is with difficulty I find the time to race. One good thing is some of my clients are those involved in racing. So at times I do the banners and things for the races. So it's work and pleasure, all in one". A wife and a six year old daughter, the rest of the members of Nishan's family are his BMW which he drives to work and a Nissan which is his private sports car. He loves watching Formula One on Star Sports, and his favourite driver's none other than the international champion himself Schumacher. Any last words? "Yes. Racing on a race track is much safer than driving on our normal roads". |
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