Gunners Super Cross 2012 at Minneriya on Sunday

Published : 7:57 pm  July 6, 2012 |  No comments so far  |     |   (8)  |  

The seventh edition of the Gunners Super Cross 2012 organized by Sri Lanka Army Artillery Regiment is scheduled for this Sunday at the redeveloped circuit in the camp premises of the Artillery Regiment in Minneriya. Like in the past six years a total of 25 events (13 Motor Cycles and 12 Motor Car events) are arranged by the organizers as the day’s program. The meet conducted by the Sri Lanka Association for Racing Drivers and Riders for the CEAT- SLARDAR Championship 2012 has attracted all leading drivers who aspire to be champion in their respective classes.

In the motor cars category last year’s champion driver Pasindu Peiris will battle it out with the leader in the onging championship Dinesh Deheragoda and the up and coming driver who has performed well this season Ashan Silva. Deheragoda a champion who has won the title many a times has already taken a strong lead having collected 70 points. Ashan Silva has taken second slot after gaining 18 valuable points at the Walawe Super Cross two weeks ago to push Pasindu Peiris to third position.

Meanwhile the other top drivers in other classes too are engaged in gruelling battles to maintain their positions in the standings for the championship this year. The most noteworthy point is that Ashan Silva chasing the championship in the SL-GT 3500cc class is also in contention for the SL- H Cars 1600cc category. His attempt to win two championships is one season is also a great feat which has not been seen in the local motor racing scene. There were instances where drivers in lower classes get involved in two events but Ashan’s feat will be something special as he is driving the 3500 and 1600cc classes which are considered as fastest events on the local tracks.

In the motor cycle events too last year’s champion Gayan Sandaruwan who heads the table of points is a doubtful starter at this event due to the injury he sustained during the Walawe Super Cross two weeks ago. Though he won the overall championship last year he failed to gather the maximum points at this particular meet, where the Indian rider C.S. Santosh dominated in two races. This year too the Indian rider is expected to compete in the absence of the leader Gayan. Sri Lanka’s Shehan C. Adikari who thrilled the crowds at the Walawe Super Cross and also the rider at sixteen who challenged the Indian rider at the Sigiriya last year is sure to pose the same challenge the Indian riders this Sunday.

Though all arrangements are finalized for the racing the riders are yet to take a final decision regarding their participation. According to reliable sources the riders have made a request to increase their prize money as they face many hardships when participating in these kind of racing. Though they have forwarded their request to the organizers they have not yet arrived at a final decision on this matter and it is most likely that if the right decision is not made a pull out is imminent. This will certainly be a matter that needs the organizers attention in a serious way if they are to keep the sport moving smoothly while giving the best for spectators with all the thrills and spills they expect for the money and time spent in attending these races.