The governing body for motor sports, Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS), is set to flag-off their racing season for the year 2022 and all clubs affiliated to it have agreed to the calendar that starts off with the Eliyakande Hill Climb next week in Matara.
The Eliyakande Hill Climb is run by the Southern Motor Sports Club for the 26th successive year and is the only event conducted without a break since its inception.
The first weekend of February saw the Sri Lanka Drivers Association conduct an event under the name ‘Ice Breaker’ at the Saliyapura Super Cross track, in Anuradhapura. Though it was a success it does not come under the national Championship.
This is to be followed by the Colombo Super Cross at the Welisara circuit on March 26 and 27. Colombo Motor Sports Club is the organizer for the event in association with the Sri Lanka Navy Motor Sports Unit. This is an event considered for the National gravel Championship for both motor cars and motor cycles.
The Nuwara Eliya Holiday season commences with the running of the Mahagastota Hill Climb conducted by Ceylon Motor Cycle Club on April 2 and 3. This has been one of the major motor racing events started during the British period which continues to date. This event will be followed two days later when the other oldest Hill Climb the Radella Hill Climb takes place on April 5 organized by Sri Lanka Motor Cycle Club.
The same month will see the most looked forward to event of the year which is the Fox Hill Super Cross at the Diyatalawa Army Cantonment premises on April 23 and 24. This is one of the major events coming under the guidance of the governing body for motor sports in Sri Lanka, SLAS. The Army plays a major role in organizing the event. The points gathered by drivers and riders at this meet are considered for the national Championship.
The Sigiriya Super Cross, another National Championship meet will follow the Fox Hill Super Cross with the Sri Lanka Drivers Association taking charge of organising part of the meet. It will be well supported by the Air Force which is the owner of the circuit which was made as a Super Cross circuit a few years ago under the guidance of former Air Force Commander and present Governor of the Western Province Roshan Goonetilleke.
The second event for the month will be the Kukuleganga Hill Climb which saw its emergence two years ago with the Motor Racing Association and the Army Motor Sports Club making it a fruitful event for all racing drivers and riders to showcase their skills.
The final of the Hill Climbs will come to an end with the Karandupone event scheduled for June 11 and 12. This year Negombo Sports Club has come forward to run the event.
The month of July will have two meets, the Cavalry Super Cross at Pangolla, conducted by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders on 9 and 10 and the Gunner Super Cross at Minneriya organized by the Sri Lanka Automobile Drivers Association in association with the Army.
The final meet for the year will be the Katukurunda Circuit meet on November 5 and 6 organized by the Colombo Motor Sports Club.
According to the rules stipulated by SLAS drivers and riders who vie for the National Championship should participate in five meets in their competing category to gain points for the title. Drivers and riders who fail to compete in five events will not be considered for the National title in their respective classes.
SLAS hopes that if all meets go ahead as planned the Awards ceremony will be held on a grand scale for which the date is yet to be finalized.
Motor Racing Calendar for 2022:
February 19-29: Eliyakande Hill Climb, Matara (SMSC)
March 26-27: Colombo Super Cross at Welisara (Colombo MSC)
April 2-3: Mahagastota Hill Climb (CMSC)
April 5: Radella Hill Climb (SLMSC)
Fox Hill: 23 and 24 (SLAS)
May 13-14: Sigiriya Super Cross (SLDA)
July 9-10: Cavalry Super Cross (SLADAR)
July 23-23: Gunner Super Cross (SLDA)
August 6-7: Walawa Super Cross (SLEME)
August 20-21: Gajaba Super Cross (SLDA)
September 3-4: Katukurunda Circuit Meet (AMRC)
September 10-11: NMSC Racing Meet (NMSC)
November 5-6: Katukurunda Circuit Meet (Colombo MSC)