Nishan, Ananda Sampath fastest at Mahagastota Hill Climb

Thursday, 9 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nishan Weerasooriya clocked 34.17 seconds to became the fastest driver in the 81 year history of the oldest hill climb in South East Asia, at the Mahagastota Speed Hill Climb which concluded on a high note at Blackpool, Nanu Oya on Easter Sunday. The annual event was organised by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club and sponsored by McFoil and Mobil of the McLarens Group. Weerasooriya, driving a Finco Evolution 2000cc turbo, broke the previous course record of 34.348 seconds held by Darin Weerasinghe who was eventually placed second. Competing in the SL GT event, Nishan drove without a flaw in his second run to break Darin Weerasinghe’s course record. Meanwhile in the motorcycle category, Ananda Sampath Weerasignhe showed his class to return a record timing of 34.854 seconds. This was the third year in succession that Weerasinghe had registered the fastest timing of the day for motorcycles and also the course record for two wheels. Veteran driver Rohan de Silva won the Formula car event 1665 cc with a timing of 35 plus second. This bettered his own best timing which was the overall course record at the Mahagastota Hill Climb three years ago. The SLA modified cars event was won by Mahen Madugalle with a timing of 43.131 seconds in his Mini, followed by Hafiz Carder who clocked 45.61 seconds. Then in the event for motor cars SLS group went up to 1500 which was won by Madhushan Mannapperuma driving a Honda Civic. A significant fact was that his father, the oldest racing driver in Sri Lanka, 67 year-old Sumanapala Mannapperuma finished third. Devinda De Silva was placed second. The event attracted over 130 entries and was preceded by a Classic Parade on Saturday.