The governing body for motor sports in the island, Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) has announced the return of its activities with a high-profile tarmac racing meet scheduled to be run at the Katukurunda Circuit on December 5.
The meet to be conducted exclusively for four-wheelers and minus spectators will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook as well as telecast live on PEO TV.
While there is significant competitor interest for this meet at the fastest circuit on the local calendar circuit, SLAS will restrict the meet to only eight classes of racing with the top-flight SL-H Honda 1600 CC and SL-GT 3500 CC super cars given two races apiece.
SLAS president Ashhar Hameem said: “We are very excited to bring all 10 SLAS Member Clubs together to put on an event for the drivers.
“Motorsport is the second most-watched spectator sport in the country after cricket with a massive ecosystem of garages, mechanics, engineers, suppliers all dependent on races being conducted.
“So as soon as we got the green light from the authorities. We all have worked hard to put this event together, and to ensure the highest possible standards are maintained. We hope the drivers will appreciate this and we look forward to the usual spectacular action that Katukurunda delivers”.
Prabath Dahanayake, Chief Marketing Officer, SLT said he saw motor racing moving to a higher level as a competitive sport in the country.
“We are extremely pleased to be the title sponsor of the SLT-MOBITEL Speed Up Katukurunda 2021 races and to witness an exciting road back to the podium.
“As motor sports witnesses a comeback to the circuit after a long lapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the excitement surrounding it also continues to grow. SLT-Mobitel’s advanced telecommunications network, technology and services will support the live broadcast of the races and provide our customers with electrifying entertainment and an exclusive experience during the racing weekend and enable us to also connect with a new generation of racing fans”.
With practice and qualifying rounds scheduled for December 4, the live coverage of the meet (on both PEO TV and YouTube) will commence at 9 am on the following day.
A record number of entries are expected in all classes with star drivers such as Ashan Silva, Ushan Perera, Aravinda Premadasa and Janaka Dias expected to battle it out in the SL-GT class while the SL-H Honda class will see the usual contenders Irfan Fuard, Randika Niroshan, Zaakir Wahab and Shehara de Silva to come on to the podium.