Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 23 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Aaron, who has been mentored by his father, the veteran Shane Gunawardena, has been representing the country’s leading motor racing team since the age of eight, ever since he was inducted to EZY Racing’s Young Driver (Rider) Program.
FIM Asia Cup Road Race was initiated in 2006 to build up a relationship among the Asian Countries. The Tsukuba Circuit was used initially and the machines were Honda CBR 150.
In 2008 the venue changed to Sportsland SUGO, and in 2011 Yamaha came in as a sponsor offering the riders the Yamaha R15. This year we see another switch in motorcycles as Honda has come in as the main sponsor and the participants would be riding Honda CBR 150cc bikes. The circuit would be the famous motoGP ‘Twinring Motegi Curcuit’.
Aaron Guna-wardena was born on 22 June 2003. He is a natural when it comes to riding and driving. By the end of the 2013 racing season he had 12 podiums at a Junior level, and 39 podium finishes on a National level in the senior category.
Having run most of his races under the competitor number 46, as does his idol the world famous Valentino Rossi who runs with the same number; the 11 year old has become the runner up of the 125cc National Championship to his fellow EZY Racing team mate and elder brother 12-year-old Jaden.
Having set the fastest time ever recorded on an 85 cc motorcycle up the Mahagasthota Hill climb, Aaron became the first rider in Asia to represent a country at the age of eight (represented Sri Lanka at an Asian round in Sugo Japan riding a 150cc motorcycle) in 2011 .
To date, Aaron holds a unique record in being the youngest rider ever to have won a championship series in Sri Lanka.
Having had his first taste of motor racing when he was just five years in an under 10 year old race, Aaron was able to win 50 podiums before he turned 10 years.
Speaking of his son’s ability to represent the nation, his manager father Shane Gunawardena stated that it was indeed a privilege to see his young son able to fly the National Flag at a prestigious event such as the FIM Asia Cup Road Race.
“Aaron has been shadowing his brother Jaden throughout his racing career, which began at the tender age of five years. With this event I believe it will be a good platform for Aaron to establish himself independently.”
EZY Racing, which has been instrumental in supporting Aaron through his young days, look at this as a great opportunity to provide their young rider valuable exposure.
“As a motor racing team our primary focus is in into motor car racing. However, both Jaden and Aaron have been an integral part of our team for the last four years. We see them as special talent which very rarely comes by. As an organisation committed to the upliftment of motor racing in Sri Lanka, we believe it is our duty to provide a strong foot hold for these boys to fulfill their dreams. Aaron has a very bright future and his records speak for themselves. Our commitment to Aaron stands through and we believe this opportunity will provide him the necessary platform to develop his confidence and mature as a motor racing rider,” said Shafraz Hamzadeen, Inceptor and MD/CEO of EZY Racing.
The Black and Red Team have invited fans from across the country to wish the youngster on their fan page www.fb.com/ezyracing which currently is close to 100,000 fans.
