Super Fox Pasindu and Sajaad stamp EZY Racing’s dominance in Foxhill

Sri Lanka’s foremost motor racing team EZY Racing, liquid engineered by Castrol completed yet another dominant racing weekend when their Ace driver Pasindu Pieris in the  SLGT up to 3500CC category driving his EZY Mitsubishi ER9 and daredevil Sajaad Zuhair in the SLH 1500CC category in his EZY Honda ER2 went onto stamp their dominance by winning their respective categories at the ever famous Foxhill Super Cross held in the Diyatalawa Army Camp by SLARDAR. Pasindu who was crowned the Super Fox in 2011, a coveted title given to the fastest driver in the entire race, went into this race as the defending champion and was successful in defending it against a full blooded threat from Dinesh Deheragoda and Aravinda Premadasa, to be re-crowned “Super Fox” thereby stamping his status as the King of Gravel.

EZY Racing, who have gone on to become the icon of motor racing in Sri Lanka, went into  the Foxhill super cross with a star studded driver line up led by Pasindu Peiris, ably supported by Sajaad Zuhair, Rizvi Farouk and Shafraz Junaid who together took part in 4 race categories. The Red and Black team who were the cynosure of all eyes, provided their fans a treat right from the start when Sajaad who started 2nd on the grid in the SLH 1500 event managed to get the better of Mobil driver Dilan Seneviratne who was occupying the pole position. Sajaad who beat Dilan on the race to first corner held on to his lead to provide EZY Racing a winning start for the weekend. Veteran driver Rizvi Farouk who was commemorated for 20 years of driving in Foxhill, finished 3rd to provide EZY Racing a 1-3 Finish.

The 2nd event for the Crocodile dressed team turned out to be a very interesting one where once again, Dilan Seneviratne who was driving impeccably was given a stiff challenge by Pasindu Peiris. Pasindu who managed to overtake Dilan when both passed a back marker on either side, couldn’t unfortunately hold on to the lead as his car hit a curb and toppled while into the last corner, depriving EZY Racing of possibly yet another win. EZY Racer Shafraz Junaid who was participating for the first time in the Mini 7 category in the EZY Mini ER1 did well to finish 3rd in his inaugural appearance.

With the SLGT category set to be the most looked forward event of the day, the front row of the grid comprised of the best motor racing drivers in the country, Dinesh Deheragoda, Pasindu Peiris and Aravinda Premadasa in order. Both Pasindu and Premadasa managed to get off to a fantastic start as they went into turn one with Pasindu in his ER9 in the lead. Coming out of the turn one, there was a brief incident where Premadasa’s car nudged the back of Pasindu’s, but the 24 year old champion managed to take control of his car. With Pasindu successfully managing the challenge from Premadasa, he managed to pull a decent lead from Premadasa who was being closely followed by Deheragoda who managed to get pass the Exide Racing car in lap 3. The United Motors powered Mitsubishi Evolution X of Deheragoda, was thereafter in hot pursuit of Pasindu, who successfully defended his position for 7 laps thereafter, in the 10 lap event. NGK powered Janaka Dias finished 3rd in the event where EZY Racer Rizvi Farouk in his EZY Subaru ER9 finished 5th.

Pasindu who is known for his flamboyant style of gravel driving, took a totally different approach to this race in his bid to defend his “Super Fox” status. He drove in a much more composed manner after establishing his position in the front of the pack carefully choosing where to be aggressive and where not to be aggressive against Deheragoda’s far more powerful car. Speaking to the media after being crowned the Super Fox, Pasindu went on to say “I am indeed grateful to this large crowd who truly inspired me to perform at my peak. We came to foxhill with the task of converting good qualifying positions to great results. It was quite unfortunate that I couldn’t convert my pole position in the SLH 1600CC event to a victory. I did have things under control till such time the incident occurred where I toppled. If not for that, we did have a very good weekend and I believe we did a very good job to take home as many championship points as possible”

The founder of EZY Racing Shafraz Hamzadeen who is also the CEO/ Team Principal, was justifiably pleased with his team having bagged 10 trophies in total. “Today is a very successful day for us. We all know the importance of Foxhill as most of us consider this to be the ‘Mecca’ of motor racing in Sri Lanka. To win at Foxhill always gives anyone a very special feeling, one that is more gratifying than any other victory. The fact that we achieved this as a team, speaks volumes of our strength, both on as well as off the track”

Further commenting on the team’s performance, Hamzadeen went on to state “we knew we were quite strong as a team although we didn’t have the fastest cars. It’s very tough ask to get your cars at their peak every race weekend, especially when we participate in every race around the country. However, given the limitations in race pace our drivers gave their absolute best. Sajaad in his ER 2 specially in the 1500CC category knew the importance of a winning start for the race. We definitely had another victory in our bags, but unfortunately Pasindu toppled in his ER4. It takes great courage and aggression to come back immediately after a topple and drive like he did in the SLGT category to win. The passion he brings to the track is what makes Pasindu a great driver. We take a lot of positives off this race as we now go back to our base to reflect on this race and prepare ourselves to be more stronger in the races to come”

Hamzadeen also said that his team was on track vis a vis their expectations for 2012. “We have participated in every race this year. Unlike others, for us it’s a 50 member plus team that goes for a race. So going in for a race is no easy task. Considering the competitiveness and incidents in every race, to have a victory in some form or another in every race we participate as team is without doubt a commendable effort. I am indeed very proud to say that our drivers and riders have been victorious in every race we have participated to date. This is by no means a feat easily achievable”

When asked about how he felt to see many fans wearing EZY Racing merchandise during the race, Hamzadeen stated “Other than our performances on the track, the most encouraging view for us was to see our fans wearing EZY Racing merchandise and ardently supporting our race drivers. This was indeed a very pleasant and encouraging site, especially considering the fact that most people were of the opinion that professionally managing a motor racing company in Sri Lanka was an impossible task. I am positive more and more people will start adorning the EZY Racing merchandise in the races to come”

With success in their belts, EZY Racing will be participating in the next race with their full team, which includes their little riders 9 year old Aaron Gunawardane and 10 year old Jaden Gunawardane who won their previous race at the pannala track.