The 12th edition of the Gunner Supercross 2017 organised by the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery is to take place on August 6 at the Artillery complex in Minneriya. This was announced to the media by Colonel Commandant of the Artillery Regiment P.W.B. Jayasundara at a press briefing held in Colombo on Friday.
Adressing the Media he said that Sri Lanka Army joined the Motor sports scene twenty five years ago with the introduction of the Fox Hill Super Cross and continued to promote the sport by venturing out to other areas of the country where land was in abundance to have the most needed circuits. As a result the Artillery Regiment too prepared the circuit in the year 2004 with the help of leading Motor Sports Clubs in the country.
Adding further he said that in past eleven years all proceeds generated through this event was utilised by the Regiment for the welfare of the families of war heroes who sacrificed their lives and for the disabled soldiers welfare by way of helping their children’s education . Furthermore some of the proceeds were used to improve the sporting facilities of the Regiment’s soldiers to develop their skills in various sports to reach higher levels which would help them to enter national level. These facilities will also be available for the youngster of the Thamankaduwa area to get involved in sporting activities fre of charge.
President of the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports Drivers Association Mahesh Gammanpila addressing the gathering said that they have planned to conduct twenty four event on this day (12 Motor cycle events and 12 car events and two events for Jeeps). Last year’s Champions saw over 150 competitors in action and this year hopefully the number of competitors could exceed the two hundred mark setting a record for the Gunner Supercross 2017.
He also said that though last year there were few foreign riders to challenge the local riders this year they will not participate as they have not sent in their entries due to reasons only known to them. Though the foreigners are not billed to compete in the motor cycle events local riders are expected engage in a tough battle for supremacy. Specially with last years champions and up and coming young riders posing a big threat to veterans in the calibre of Gayan Sandaruwan, Lahiru Jeewantha and Nihal Premaratne. The young brigade of riders who are expected come up with their talents skills on this are Ishan Dassanayake, Ivon B.Gurusinghe, Shanaka Jayana Sandaruwan Jacques Gunewardena to name a few.
They are sure to thrill the large crowds that are expected throng the surroundings of the track on this day.The Car events too will of immense importance for top drivers as all leading driver will be seen behind the wheels of their respective classes.
In The SL-GT Cars up to 3500cc The fastest event will be hotly contested by senior drivers and few young drivers who have entered the fray this year.The former champions and experienced drivers in this class Ashan Silva, Pasindu Pieris, Ushan Perera, Dinesh Jayawardene Aravinda Premadasa and the Wahab family Casim and Shakib will be the cynosure of all eyes in this event.
The above mentioned drivers are to face the challenges coming from the young rider Keshan Peiris who has taken to sport for the first time this year.
Though a new comer to the competition he has proven himself as a big threat to all veterans. Kushan in the past few years did well to win the championships in SL-H 1300cc and 1500cc classes and took to the SL- GT cars up to 3500cc and showed his skill in handling fast cars by outclassing the top drivers at the Boyagane circuit recently.
He is billed to compete in SL-N cars Ford Laser/ Mazda up to 1300cc and SL-H cars up to 1600cc class too at this meet. In The Group T&J – Trucks and Jeep events too there will a stiff competition for supremacy with Casim Wahab, Indu Samakoon, Duminda Jayasinghe and Anesley Wijesinghe Battling it out.
All in all a thrilling racing fare is expected by the drivers and riders for the large number of motor racing fans on this day.
The Main sponsor of the Gunner Super cross 2017 will be Singer Sri Lanka PLC while the co-sponsors are CEAT Kelani International Tyres (Pvt.) Ltd., Stafford Motor Company (Pvt.) Ltd., TVS Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., Brown & Company PLC and Ceylon Cold Stores.