Jacques Gunawardena, the rising racing star from Sri Lanka, stole the spotlight by clinching the highest bid of an auction, setting a record at the Mega Rider Auction for Season One at the prestigious JM Marriott in Pune, India.
Jacques Gunawardena at the auction
Gunawardena, the son of former racer Duane, was bought by an Indian racing club, Gujarat Trailblazers, very similar to the IPL auction and will be in action at Indian racing events the first of which starts on January 27 in Pune.
The junior Gunawardena also became the first Sri Lankan to feature in an MX Asian Championship
The Federation of Motor Sports Sri Lanka (FMSSL) is a driving force behind the growth of motorcycle racing in the country and have elevated the sport to new heights creating opportunities for local riders to compete internationally.
A racing official said FMSSL’s involvement in steering the sport forward and opening the doors for talented individuals like Gunawardena is being highly appreciated competitors.
A total of 104 riders, including 73 international racers and 31 Indian riders were in the auction. Each team had the opportunity to acquire up to two riders per category, with a maximum of 48 slots available. The cumulative auction kitty for Season One reached an impressive INR 6 Crore or 60 million Indian rupees highlighting the league’s commitment to excellence.
The auction also showcased the emergence of young Indian talent, with riders like Ikshan Shanbhag, Shlok Ghorpade, and Rugved Barguje securing the highest bids in their respective categories.
According to an Indian racing official, barriers have been broken in the sport with the inclusion of female riders Aleena Mansur Shaikh and Nithila Das, who were grabbed by teams.
