78th MOTUL Mahagastotte to turn Nuwara Eliya to a racing circuit

Monday, 9 April 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Transforming the peaceful countryside of Nuwara Eliya into a hive of activity and noise with its roads turned into racing circuits is the 78th Motul Mahagastotte that takes place this Sunday.

With its narrow tracks and tight corners, the race circuit is considered by many to be a tacky one, but for the Ceylon Motor Sports Club, it’s the oldest, the first and home to the racing sport. For spectators on the other hand, the venue is one of the best in Sri Lanka.

Set in countryside with roads winding down giving them a clear view of the circuit from the surrounding hills.

Going back over the past 78 years, The Ceylon Motor Sports Club was inaugurated on 4th September 1934 at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Today 55 cars and 47 bikes will compete to show, who is faster in 17 different categories.

The race course record is shared by none other than the motor racing veteran Rohan de Silva who drove a Modified Formula Ford at breakneck speed 8 years ago, and was subsequently equaled by the hill climb legend Nishan Weerasuriya a few years later. Ezy Racing Rally master, Shafraz Jundaid holds the Course record for Bikes, which he successfully broke many years ago, beating Shanaka Ambrose.

Veteran racing drivers like Rohan de Silva, Bri Ponnambalam, Ananda de Alwis, Shirendra Lawrence, Dinesh Jayawardene, Sheran Fernando, Aravinda Premadasa alongst a host of other talented drivers

Shafraz Junaid, Wikum Ranjit, Gabriel Rockwood and a line of motorcyclist will take on the oldest hill climb, to achieve not only wins in their own classes but also the fastest time achieved by a bike.