Spectacular weekend of wet weather racing
View(s):Chandima Gooneratne, Pramuka Sesath, Suraj Perera, Ashan Silva, Romesh Gunawardana, Lakshika Weerasinghe and Sajaad Zuhair were the top achievers at the final round of the CEAT-SLARDAR-AMRC Tarmac Championship 2015, which was held last weekend with some spectacular wet weather racing.
Chandima Goonarathna (Formula EFI champion), Pramuka Sesath (Standard/Modified up to 1000cc champion), Suraj Perera (Super Motard 450cc champion), Ashan Silva (SLGT champion), Romesh Gunawardana (Ford Laser Mazda 1300cc champion), Lakshika Weerasinghe (Formula Carburetor champion) and Sajaad Zuhair (SLH 1618cc and SLS 1500cc dual champion) after the awards ceremony - Pix by Shanuka Aravinda
The race on Sunday started with a wet track yet with no rain; however during the middle part of the meet continuous rain gave the best few races of the entire year with extreme control and disciplined driving by all drivers and riders.
The highlight of the event was the SL-GT up to 3500cc Race 1 which subsequently changed the race leader four times during the 8-lap race.
Ashan Silva, who started the race on pole position, was challenged by other contenders who gave the eventual winner a good run for his title.
At one point Ushan Perera led the race with debutant Sabry Salam taking over the lead later on. However tussle in the final corner of the last lap between Ashan Silva and Sabry Salam opened the doors to Ezy Racing driver Dilan Senavirathne, who started the race back of the pack to squeeze through to the chequered flag to win the Race 1, which turned out to be one of the spectacular SL-GT races of all times.
However Ashan Silva returned to his usual form in SL-GT Race 2 after a tough battle with Pasindu Peries to claim the victory as well as the CEAT-SLARDAR-AMRC Tarmac Championship for 2015.
Both these races were held under rainy conditions and all drivers showed their class and experience in handling the super-powered cars to end both races without any major incident.
Super star Suraj Perera held his nerves to win the Super Motard 450cc event which was also held under rainy conditions. He went on to claim the Tarmac Championship for the year 2015.
Young rider Pramuka Sesath showed his class to win the Standard/Modified up to 1000cc event and subsequently emerged the Tarmac Champion for year 2015.
Other highlights of the event were, Romesh Gunawardana and Shenal Gunawardana, who is 17-years-old, stamping class in their respective races.
Romesh won the Ford Laser Mazda 1300 while Shenal went on to win the Ford Laser Mazda 1500 event respectively. Both these events featured 13 to 14 cars each on the grid.
Despite the wet rainy conditions, many spectators and supporters of the drivers and riders were present to witness the meet.
However they were not left disappointed as the weather apparently unleashed some spectacular driving and riding skills from all competitors to conclude the races for year 2015 in a high note.
Overall results:
Group SLS Cars up to 1500cc: Sajaad Zuhair
Group SLF Formula McLarens 4 EFI 1300cc: Chandima Gooneratne
Group SLF Formula McLarens Carburetor 1300cc: Lakshika Weerasinghe
Group SLGT Cars up to 3500cc: Ashan Silva
Group M Over 600cc up to 1000cc: Pramuka Sesath
Group SLN Ford Laser/Mazda 1300cc: Romesh Gunawardana
Group SM Super Motard up to 450cc: Suraj Perera
Group H Cars up to 1618cc: Sajaad Zuhair