Eshan Siriwardane crowned EZY Racing Kart Fighter 2012 at Speedrome

•  Wins young driver program with Rs. 100,000 cash

Sri Lanka’s foremost motor racing team, EZY Racing, completed yet another historical moment in Sri Lankan motor racing when they concluded the first-ever EZY Racing Kart Fighters in partnership with Speedrome, a pro-karting challenge designed to attract newer and younger drivers to motor racing.

The Inaugural EZY Racing Kart Fighters event attracted over 100 youngsters who were provided the opportunity to showcase their skill on equally powered go karts, was a smashing success when Eshan Siriwardane got the opportunity of his lifetime when the premier motor racing team offered him Rs. 100,000 and the opportunity to participate in the Round 3 of the Speed 2012 Championship, a real motor racing opportunity which many people dream of.

EZY Racing Kart Fighters, together with Speedrome (a subsidiary of the McLarens Group who are also the owners of the Pannala Circuit, the country’s only purpose built motor racing circuit), in a bid to encourage young drivers to set their sights on the professional race tracks, introduced the Kart Fighting challenge, a one-day karting tournament where the top three drivers were given an opportunity to have their dreams of racing professionally realised.

The final, which was held under floodlights, was followed by a massive crowd who were entertained by Eshan, who held a stiff challenge from Dasun Ranatunga to win the final event and be crowned the first-ever EZY Racing Kart Fighter.

Eshan, who showed signs of being a top go-karter from the very first race, was awarded the EZY Racing Kart fighters Championship Trophy as well as a cash prize of Rs 100,000. Dasun Ranatunga and Aamir Ghaffoor finished in 2nd and 3rd positions and were also given the opportunity to drive the Suzuki Maruti Alto - K10 Racing Class which is designed as a perfect platform by the McLarens Group, for youngsters to get a grip of motor racing. According to Shafraz Hamzadeen, CEO and Team Principal of EZY Racing, kart racing is the first rung of the racing ladder. “We always believe that kart racing provides a level playing field to compete in. As demonstrated today every challenger competed in an equally powered car, which meant the true talent and skill of these youngsters were showcased. In these instances the only thing that will provide you the edge will be your ability to drive technically and skilfully. Therefore, we strongly believe that this provided the perfect stepping stone to motor racing.”

Hamzadeen went on to say that professional motor racing has hitherto been viewed as a ‘rich man’s pass time’: “We have changed that perception somewhat in the short span of time that EZY Racing has been in operation. We have opened the doors wide to racing enthusiasts and drivers by providing them the means, as well as the opportunity to race professionally, irrespective of their net worth, and the EZY Racing Kart Fighters championship was another step in that direction. Uplifting motor sports is very important for the sustainment of the sport. In this respect, we are indeed grateful to Speedrome, a subsidiary of McLarens Group who have done yeoman service for the country, for having provided us the necessary support in making this event a success.” 18-year-old Eshan Siriwardane, the first-ever EZY Racing Kart Fighter, said: “I am indeed very thankful for EZY Racing for making my motor racing dream a reality. I always knew that I had decent skills but didn’t know how I could use it to get a real motor racing opportunity. Today my dream has become a reality.”

Commenting on this successful event, Director of Speedrome Dinesh Jayawardane said: “As an organisation we have showed great commitment to the sport. This has been the inspiration behind our investment at Speedrome, where we are currently the country’s only karting facility. Sustainability, opportunity and glamour goes hand in hand in motor sports and our affiliation with EZY Racing was undoubtedly tilted to provide the necessary glamour which would thereby allow us to provide the young aspiring drivers the opportunity to make their racing dreams a reality. The success of today’s event is a true testimony to this fact. EZY Racing successfully managed this kart fighting challenge where they managed to attract over 100 applicants through their Facebook fan page. The fact that these applicants were fresh participants makes the achievement more significant.”

Jayawardane further added that the price money of Rs. 100,000 which was never seen even in professional motor racing and created a huge interest.  Speedrome has the only karting track in the country and is a foundation for many to enter into motorsports. The yearlong championship as well as the professional training that is provided by Speedrome is a base for young talent to enter professional motorsports. “We have so much untapped talent in this country and we are determined to throw wide open the doors of professional motor racing to everyone regardless of their income or status. The only criterion is talent and the will to succeed and excel. That’s why we designed the EZY Racing Young Driver Program (ER-YDP) where the kart fighters are just the initial step. Our fan page has received many requests where youngsters have expressed their keen interest to take into motor sports. The EZY Racing Kart Fighters would definitely fulfilled our promise to our fans when 100 of them were given the opportunity to showcase their ability and step into professional motor racing,” said Hamzadeen

More details on EZY Racing Kart Fighters 2012 and photos could be viewed in EZY Racing’s fan page www.facebook.com/ezyracing which already has over 22,500 ardent motor racing fans.