Eshan Pieris secures third place in X30 Challenge Cup Japan

In another exciting performance, young Eshan Peiris was placed third at the X30 Challenge Japan Cup, on 6 August in Mizunami, Japan. 

Once again Sri Lanka and his home track, the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit (SLKC) in Bandaragama, were done proud by the extraordinary performances of Eshan in Japan where he marked another red-letter day in Sri Lanka’s motor sports history just a mere three months after he won round three of the Rotax Max Asian Championship in Malaysia, making him the first Sri Lankan to win a race in the most competitive Asian go karting championship and firmly placing Sri Lanka on the international karting map.

On Sunday morning Eshan was off to a great start for his finals at the X30 Challenge having secured fourth position in the pre-finals. 

During the X30 Challenge Japan Cup finals, Eshan did one better and finished third after snatching the lead midway through what was a very close race. And for good measure, Eshan also set the fastest lap time. It is certainly a great boost for local motorsports and Sri Lanka to see a Sri Lankan go kart driver competing successfully in Japan and placing the country’s flag up on the podium.

This win is even more commendable given that Eshan only started racing at the late age of about 14. Most go kart champions, who then go on to have F1 careers, start at around the age of eight. His success was clearly the result of much hard work, focus, passion and dedication, especially as he was juggling a full racing calendar while pursuing his education at Monash University in Malaysia.