27th Southern Eliyakanda Hill Climb tomorrow

By P.D. De Silva

The 27th Eliyakanda Hill Climb powered by Nippon Paint is all set to roar off at the picturesque Browns Hill, Matara tomorrow.

The Eliyakanda hill climb is the flagship event of the Southern Motor Sports Club (SMSC) and has been held continuously in the club’s 26-year history.

The 540 meter track at Eliyakanda is renowned for its competitiveness and drivers and riders are set to take up the challenges offered with the hope of improving their timings and establishing new records. The record books for the Eliyakanda track have been rewritten repeatedly as competitors keep on mastering the track each year.

The fastest time recorded on the Eliyakanda track by a driver is 31.26 seconds achieved by Ashan Silva at the 25th edition held in 2021 while Jaden Gunawardena set a new track record for motorcycles with a timing of 33.63 seconds the same year.

Organisers said 78 entries have been received for the 14 motor car events while 105 entries have been received for the 14 motorcycle event which will be worked off on Sunday. Competitors will be allowed practice runs today.

Nippon Paint is the title sponsor of the 27th edition of the Eliyakanda Hill Climb while SLT Mobitel, Wurth Lanka, Freelan Industries, Harishchandra Mills are co-sponsors. Team Iron Man 4x4 is the recovery partner and Tudo.LK is the digital partner.