Malagamuwa competed in the Asian GT3 round 5 & 6 and Malaysian Super Car series Round 2.
Dilantha Malagamuwa was fastest in the 1st testing in the Asian GT3 Round 5 and was 2nd in qualifying for GT3 Asia.
His new Lamborghini LP560 arrived on the morning just before the qualifying round by air. “I must thank Mr. Yoshiyuki Hayashi for lending me the money to buy the car and Mr. George Cassian owner of Kevin builder in Sri Lanka for paying for the Air fare and all the spare parts if not for these 2 gentlemen I wouldn’t have made it,” said Dilantha.
Dilantha Malagamuwa, after his race flanked by the runners-up. |
In the round 5 of Asian GT3 Dilantha got a good start but in the first turn, Alain Siu knocked him twice from behind sending Dilantha out of the track. The car stopped and was facing in the opposite direction. Dilantha said: “It took me about 30 seconds to start and get the car back on track but within the next 8 laps I overtook 8 cars and was just behind Tunku Hammam who was running 4th. Second, third and fourth were all within a second. I tried to over take Hammam in turn 14 and he braked earlier so I almost spun again and went off the track and it took about 4 seconds to recover but caught up with him again in the next lap and just finished 5th behind him.
“But I did the fastest lap and was 3 seconds a lap faster than 2nd 3rd and 4th. Mok Weng won the race. I think he was very lucky that I spun on the first turn. I didn’t want to complain to the stewards about Alain for hitting me from behind but talked to him and he apologized.
Asian GT3 Round 6: Dilantha started 5th on the grid and it was a wet race as it was raining really hard. The race started behind the safety car as the weather conditions were not good. “Weng was on pole and he got away at the start but I got blocked to 2nd 3rd and 4th. I couldn’t very well be in front due to heavy rain but by the 3rd lap I was 2nd and then the safety car was on track due to few accidents. I got a drive through penalty because I over took Hammam without seeing the Yellow flag.
I was able to catch Weng who was running 1st and almost overtook him many times in the corners but as he had the straight speed I got blocked in the corners and knocked him once and broke my front bumper and spun again”. Dilantha had to go through the drive through penalty in the last lap but still finished 5th, 0.09 seconds behind the 4th. “Once again I did the fastest lap for this race and Weng was one second behind and hammam and Kevin Tse who finished 2nd and 3rd was 9 seconds slower than me each lap. I was getting used to the car. Now I have a car that is similar to every one and I am confident I can win all the rest of the races for this year and win the championship for Sri Lanka.
Now I am 4th in the championship but I will somehow win the championship for Sri Lanka,” said Dilantha
Malaysian Super car series Round 2 race 1 and 2: “I won both races in the Malaysian Super car series there was no challenge for me at all. After the Asian GT3 races I got used to the car and no one could get close to me”. First race was a dry race and Dilantha finished a minute in front of the 2nd Joe Sevak and lapped Adrian De Silva who was 3rd. The 2nd race was once again raining and Dilantha lapped every one. Now he is leading the Championship. Weng is 2nd in the while Hammam is 3rd.
“Minister of Sports C.B. Ratnayake called me the other day to wish me, this is the first time ever a sports minister has called to wish me and he said he will support my activities in future and I am very happy about it. I must thank Mr.
Hayashi and Mr. George Cassian for financially supporting me to buy the car, all media personnnel in Sri Lanka who has always supported me and the Chairman of Rupavahini Mr. Sarath Kongahage for sending the crew to cover the races. A very special thanks to Major General Udaya Perera Deputy High Commissioner of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Malaysia and the staff as they support me a lot and helped me a lot to find sponsors and they have been very helpful whenever I needed them. To all my fans on face book and for everyone who has sent me wishes and messages which makes me so happy and gives me more courage to win races for Sri Lanka.
“My next big race will be the Merdeka 12 Hour race which will be on August 6, 7, and at Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia where I will be competing against most of the world champions and works teams.”
Sunday Aug 1
Local
CRICKET
SLC Under 23 Division I tournament
BRC vs Bloomfield at Havelock Park
Moors vs Navy SC at Braybrooke Place
Colts vs SSC at Havelock Park
Tamil Union vs Moratuwa SC at TBC
Seeduwa RCC vs CCC at FTZ, Katunayake
SLC Under 23 Division II Tournament
Old Anandians vs Antonian SC at Ananda Mawatha
Xaviarites CC vs Col-University at University Grounds
Leo CC vs Saracens at Kadolkele
Old Cambrians vs Aruna Sc at De Zoysa park
Kelaniya CC vs Panadura SC at Mahara prison grounds
Old Moratu Vidyalayans SC vs Police SC at Moratu Vid Grounds
Galle CC vs Kandy YCC at Peradeniya Campus grounds
Kurunegala SC vs Badureliya SC at the Welagedera Stadium
Kurunegala YCC vs Matale CC at Ibbagamuwa central grounds
Friendship Cricket
Sri Lanka-Pakistan Cricket Festival at Stanley Jansz grounds Colombo 3
FOOTBALL
“Dialog Champions League – 2010
Kalutara Park SC vs Ratnam SC at Fernando Stadium, Kalutara
Don Bosco Sc vs New Young’s SC at Don Bosco grounds, Negombo
RUGBY
Clifford Cup Final
Kandy vs Navy at Bogambara
MOTOR RACING
AMRC Formula Championships at Pannala
International
CRICKET
England v Pakistan at Nottingham, 1st Test - day 4
If you are an organizer of any sports event of substance that is taking place on a Sunday send in all specific details addressed to the Sports Editor the Sunday Times, No 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2 and we would be glad to carry it in this column. stsports@wijeya.lk. |
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