The 17th Gajaba Supercross organized by Gajaba Regiment in association with the Sri Lanka Autosport Drivers Association will be held at the Saliyapura circuit in Anuradhapura on September 1.
The Supercross which began in 1999 was inaugurated by the late Brigadier Gamini Gunasekera with the assistance of German national Hans Ralf Karpinsky who designed the track to international standards.
The Gajaba Supercross is an annual sporting extravaganza that came to life for the first time in the North Central Province which has become an annual sporting event patronized by all motor racing fans in the province. The track is also one of the best gravel tracks in the country where all racing drivers and riders are eagerly waiting to show their skills in the best suitable manner to thrill the crowds as well as to make their run towards the Hutch Super Series Championship for the 2019.
Now into its 17th year the event is considered the most looked forward to championship in the motor racing calendar in Sri Lanka.
This year the event had to be postponed due to unavoidable circumstances and finally arrangements were made to conduct it according to Nirmal Dharmaratne addressing a press briefing at the Army engineering and Mechanical Corps Headquarters on Thursday.
He further added that all proceeds will be utilized to support the families of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the ethnic conflict while part of the proceeds will also be used to help children of servicemen who served in conflict zones.
Vice president of SLADA Yoga Perera explaining the technical matters said that already 101 drivers and 104 riders have confirmed their participation which includes all the leading aspirants.
The two junior events lined up will see 35 riders in action in the age categories under-10 and under-15 years. Last year’s best driver Ashan Silva and the best rider Ishan Dassanayake are expected to come out with their best to maintain their supremacy for a second year running but not without competition from the rest.
The 18th edition of the event is sponsored by the Air Voice International as the main sponsor and on the invitation of army commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, firms like Singer Sri Lanka, Hutch Telecom, CEAT Kelani Holding and Lanka Hospitals have come in as co-sponsors.