Rizvi Farouk wins Sevanagala Rally

SEVANAGALA SPEED RALLY: Rizvi Farouk turned out to be a champion in the mud and slippery surface of Sevanagala to be crowned the new kingpin of Sri Lanka Rally Racing. Farouk who represented EZY Racing, drove his EZY Subaru WRX-STI VIII. He entered the rally with a slim chance of winning the championship, having missed out on the first rally in Pelwatte due to business commitments; however he did everything right through sun and rain to win the Sevanagala Rally 2009 which was jointly organised by the MRC and CMSC.

Experienced Farouk, co-driven by 20-year-old Jamal Hussain were made to fight hard after conceding a 14-second lead to championship leader Dinesh Deheragoda in his Mitsubishi Eveloution X at the completion of the first three stages on day one.

The second day saw a hungry and aggressive Rizvi Farouk in full throttle, driving superbly to win 3 of the 4 stages held. Having the fastest time in 3 stages, second fastest timing in 3 other stages and having third fastest timing just once in the 7 stages Rally, gave Farouk an easy 1.45 minute lead in his Subaru over second placed Ashan Silva in his Honda Civic.

"It was indeed a great feeling to be crowned the new champion for rallying in Sri Lanka. The fact that I was able to do it without participating in the first race shows how well my car was performing. I had great support from my navigator Jamal as well as the team in achieving this feat and I would like to thank all of them," said Farouk after his fine win.

Up and away..... Rizvi Farouk streaming to the finish in his Subaru to win the CMSC-MRA Sevanagala Speed Rally.	Trying his best to catch up - that’s Ashan Silva in his Honda Civic.