Top radial tyre brand CEAT forms team of racing superstars

Sri Lanka’s best-selling radial tyre brand CEAT has united the cream of the country’s motor racing talent in one team that will race under CEAT colours this year, providing a powerful endorsement of the brand’s credentials and performance by the users themselves.

Ace drivers Upulwan Serasinghe, Janaka Dias, Lalin Kirinda, Shashika Lakmal Wijerathna, Chathura Priyankara Wijeratne, Lt. Colonel Duminda Jayasinghe, Lt. Colonel Indu Samarakoon, Prasanna De Alwis and Janith Kumarage were formally signed on to the CEAT Racing Team recently, as part of the support extended to local motor racing by CEAT Kelani Holdings.

The drivers will compete at all gravel and tarmac racing events to be conducted in Sri Lanka in 2013, and will use CEAT radial tyres exclusively at all tarmac events that they race in, including the ‘one-make’ races conducted by Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS).

Speaking at the formalisation of team agreements, CEAT Kelani Holdings Managing Director Tanmay Agarwal said: “I am delighted to see CEAT radial tyres undergoing the ultimate test and passing with flying colours, proving their speed, manoeuvrability, comfort and endurance in extreme, tough and difficult road conditions.  Since these are the same tyres that our customers drive on roads in 110 countries, this is an authoritative affirmation of their quality.”

Pointing out that “there can be no motor sport without high performance tyres,” Agarwal said CEAT Kelani Holdings is continuing to invest in expansion of its production facilities in Sri Lanka and in further improvements of its radial tyres, and is proud to be one of the principal corporate sponsors of motor sport in the country.  

Ravi Dadlani, Vice President Sales and Marketing at CEAT Kelani Holdings said: “With our ongoing expansion and quality upgrading, CEAT will be present in a range of sizes across vehicle types and be comparable with any leading international tyre brand sold in the country.”

On behalf of the nine-member CEAT Racing Team, champion driver Upulwan Serasinghe said that the motor racing fraternity is extremely pleased that a company of the calibre of CEAT Kelani Holdings has come forward to support motor sport, contributing to its resurgence and the continuation of the popular One Make Ford Laser/Mazda races.

A global tyre brand whose credentials are built on performance, CEAT is the highest-selling single brand in Sri Lanka’s radial tyre market. Besides its sponsorship of the annual championship of Sri Lanka Automobile Sports, CEAT Kelani Holdings also sponsors several annual racing events conducted by the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Air Force.