Suzuki Maruti partners McLarens to fast track motor sport development in Sri Lanka

McLaren Holdings has chosen to team up with Associated Motorways (Pvt) Ltd., sole agents for Suzuki Maruti vehicles in Sri Lanka, to showcase the power and reliability of renowned Suzuki Maruti engines and vehicles and the emerging talents of a set of thrilling new racing drivers in a gripping 10-race series spread across this year’s racing calendar.

Expected to give motor sport a much-needed boost, the move brings to life Sri Lanka’s first ever manufacturer backed ‘One Make’ Race Series featuring five races with 10 identical brand new Suzuki Maruti Alto K10 production cars racing against each other for the McLarens Alto K 10 Cup.

In the inaugural race of this series concluded in February, Praveen Madugalle clinched first place followed by ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Yanik Lawrence and Viren Boteju , in second and third respectively in a nail biting finish.

McLarens Alto K10 Cup tests man and machine in a pitched battle of talent, skill, endurance, reliability and performance under pressure. Giving local racing drivers an exclusive opportunity to hone their skills in five extremely competitive races, the McLarens Alto K 10 Cup is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

 At a function held at the The Grid, Speed Drome (Go Kart Track) Battaramulla to release the programme of racing events scheduled for the year 2012, a spokesperson for AMW said AMW -Suzuki Maruti was extremely pleased to partner with McLarens Holdings to develop motor sport in Sri Lanka. “The brand Suzuki Maruti stands firmly behind this endeavour. Expect to see greater involvement and commitment in this regard,” he added.

McLarens Holdings, the main sponsors of the National Championship said proven reliability and high power delivery (68PS) that Suzuki Maruti has perfected almost since inception as being two key reasons for choosing Suzuki Maruti Alto K10 cars.

“The Suzuki Maruti brand has proven to be durable and enjoys an enviable reputation for reliability since inception. The all new Alto K10 boasts one of the most powerful 1000cc engines in its class and we expect the cars to perform extremely well in the selected racing circuits,” said Director of McLarens Holdings Dinesh Jayawardena, avid motorsport enthusiast, promoter and racing driver.

The year’s fixtures list also includes the McLarens Formula 1300 Speed Championship featuring a series of five races in cars again powered by Suzuki Maruti engines.

 The next McLarens Alto K 10 Cup & McLarens Formula 1300 Speed Championship event is scheduled for 25 March 2012 at Pannala Race track.