Sri Lanka Super Series 2014 to take motor sports to international standards
Monday, 13 January 2014 00:00
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Two year-long racing series to uplift local talent in par with international competition
A revolutionary concept in motor racing in Sri Lanka was launched with the announcing of ‘The Sri Lanka Super Series 2014’ and ‘Carlton Formula Super Series 2014’ at a news conference held recently.
The first of the two racing series – the Sri Lanka Super Series 2014 – is organised by the Carlton Motor Sports Club (CMSC), the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR) and the Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC), under the guidance of the Ministry of Sports and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS).
The Sri Lanka Super Series 2014 will include six races that will take place in various locations across the island throughout the year. The second of the racing series – the Carlton Formula Super Series 2014 – is organised by Carlton Motor Sports Club (CMSC) in conjunction with Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders (SLARDAR), Asian Motor Racing Club (AMRC) and Speed Drome Ltd. The Carlton Formula Super Series 2014 is a Formula McLarens racing series which is widely known as the most competitive and the only open wheel racing series currently held in Sri Lanka. 10 teams with a total of 20 top drivers will drive the purpose-built Formula cars similar ones found in the international racing circuits.
The first of the six Sri Lanka Super Series 2014 races will flag off on 1 and 2 February at the Katukurunda Circuit Meet. Carlton Super Cross Tissamaharama to be held on 8 and 9 March will be the second race while the third of the races will take place at Pannala Circuit Meet on 3 and 4 May. The Navy Supercross, the fourth edition of the races, will flag off on 28 and 29 June at Welisara while the fifth race will also take place at the same location on 13 and 14 September. The sixth and final race will be back at Pannala on 25 and 26 October.
Awards Night and Dinner Dance
A gala Awards Night and Dinner Dance will be held on 28 November where all outstanding racers and riders will be recognised for their performances. The Champion Drivers and Riders of the Sri Lanka Super Series will be sent to Malaysia to witness one round of the Malaysia Super Series 2015 and the Malaysian round of the MotoGP World Championship 2015 respectively.
With the Carlton Formula Super Series 2014, for the first time in Sri Lanka, there will be a team championship running the whole calendar year. With each of the 10 Teams or Sponsors having two cars allocated through a bidding process, a total of 20 cars will vie for the championship at five championship race meets. All races will be 10 lap races with 10 points being awarded to the 1st place winner all the way down to 1 point for the 8th place winner. Points of both cars will be added as team points and at the end of 5 championship race meets the team with highest points will be awarded the Championship team title for 2014.
The first of the 5 ‘Carlton Formula Super Series 2014’ races will be held on 1 and 2 February at the Katukurunda Circuit while the 2nd race will be held on 1 and 2 March at Katukurunda, the third one will be 3 and 4 May at Pannala International Circuit. The 4th race, the Rotherham Katukurunda, will be held on 27 and 28 September with the 5th race taking place at Pannala on 25 and 26 October.
Taking Sri Lankan racing to the next level
Speaking about the two racing series, Carlton Motor Sports Club President Dinesh Jayawardana stated, “Both Sri Lanka Super Series 2014 and Carlton Formula Super Series 2014 are concepts that we believe will take Sri Lankan racing to the next level. In order to take this sport forward and on par with the international standards we need to inculcate professionalism into the sport. All the races will be conducted in the true spirit of sportsmanship, giving all drivers and riders an equal opportunity to showcase their talent and skills.” He added that this will help to give due recognition to these drivers and riders while also exposing them to the standards they can expect in an international-standard racing event. “With this kind of professional approach, if and when the drivers and riders go to the international stage, they will be better prepared to perform at their best,” Jayawardana claimed.
Entries for the motor cars will be for the following classes in the Tarmac Championship – Group ‘SLH’ Cars up to 1000CC, Group ‘SLH’ Cars up to 1600CC, Group ‘SLS’ Cars up to 1500CC, Group ‘SLGT’ Cars up to 3500CC, Group ‘SLF’ Formula McLarens 1300CC (Carburetor) and Group ‘SLF’ Formula McLarens 1300CC (EFI). Entries for the motorbikes will be for the following classes in the Tarmac Championship – Group ‘Super SM’ Supermotard Bikes Over 175CC up to 250CC (2T) and Over 290CC up to 450CC (4T) and Group ‘M’ Modified Motorcycles Open Over 250CC (4 Stroke).
In the Gravel Championship, entries for the motor cars will be for the following classes – Group ‘SLH’ Cars up to 1000CC, Group ‘SLH’ Cars up to 1600CC, Group ‘SLS’ Cars up to 1500CC and Group ‘SLGT’ Cars up to 3500CC. Entries for the motorbikes will be for the following classes – Group ‘Super SM’ Supermotard Bikes Over 175CC up to 250CC (2T) and Over 290CC up to 450CC (4T) and Group ‘MX’ Racing Motocross Bikes 100CC up to 125CC (2 Stroke) and 175CC up to 250CC (4 Stroke).