SpeedBay launches Sri Lanka’s first sprint championship

SpeedBay, Sri Lanka’s premier karting and motorsport facility, has made history with the launch of the country’s first-ever Sodi World Series (SWS) Sprint Championship, introducing an exciting new era of accessible, arrive-and-drive kart racing for aspiring and seasoned drivers alike.

The six-round championship marked a major milestone for Sri Lankan motorsport, offering competitors a unique opportunity to race world-class Sodi karts, the world’s leading four-stroke rental kart brand, and earn eligibility to compete at the prestigious SWS World Finals, the global showcase of amateur and semi-professional karting talent.

Designed as a purely individual championship (in contrast to team-based endurance formats), the SWS Sprint Championship creates a level playing field, with equal karts and minimum weight regulations ensuring that driver skill and consistency are the ultimate differentiators. 

The arrive-and-drive format eliminates the need to own a kart or invest in expensive equipment, making motorsport more affordable and inclusive than ever before.

The inaugural round drew international interest with drivers from Pakistan, China, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Germany and the Czech Republic, including a six-member contingent from Pakistan.

“Launching the SWS Sprint Championship is a defining moment for Sri Lankan motorsport,” said Buddhima Attapatu, Deputy General Manager of David Pieris Racing & Leisure. 

“Our goal is to show that anyone, regardless of age, background, or budget, can get started in racing. With multiple categories, equal machinery and a clear pathway to international competition, this championship opens doors that simply did not exist before.”

The championship caters to a wide range of competitors through multiple classes, including cadet, junior, senior, masters and women and is officiated by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), the FIA-appointed ASN for Sri Lanka.

IAME Series Sri Lanka – Finals

IAME Cadet: Winner – Hakam Ossen. Top 3 – Hakam Ossen, Mikkell De Silva, Tanasha Raddella. Best Lap – 1:00.703 Hakam Ossen

IAME Junior: Winner – Aneeq Jamaldeen. Top 3 – Aneeq Jamaldeen, Sahiru Nemika, Tehan Amarasiri. Best Lap – 53.274 Aneeq Jamaldeen

IAME Senior: Winner – Sheshan Gunasekara. Top 3 – Sheshan Gunasekara, Ryan Gunawardhana, Kavisha Uyanwatta. Best Lap – 51.848 (Sheshan Gunasekara)

IAME Master: Winner – Zhao Kang. Top 3 – Zhao Kang, Romani de Silva, Eric Ou. Best Lap – 54.524 (Eric Ou)

SWS Championships

SWS Endurance Cup: Winner – Team Avant (126 laps). Top 3 – Avant, Kartmen, Velocity X Racing. Best Lap – Spark Racing (1:09.249)

SWS Sprint Cup – Women (Race 2): Winner – Sorayah Wahab. Top 3 – Sorayah Wahab, Natanya Raymond, Sharanya Mendis. Best Lap – 1:09.939 (Sorayah Wahab)

SWS Sprint Cup – Junior (Race 2): Winner – Hakam Ossen. Top 3 – Hakam Ossen, Anish Samarajiwa, Piers de Mel. Best Lap – 1:13.802 (Anish Samarajiwa)

SWS Sprint Cup – Senior (Race 2): Winner – Asif Magsi. Top 3 – Asif Magsi, Arshardh Ifthikar, Kevan Samarajiwa. Best Lap – 1:09.152 (Arshardh Ifthikar)

SWS Sprint Cup – Master (Race 2): Winner – Dinesh Pathirana. Top 3 – Dinesh Pathirana, Syed Naqvi, Thomas Plojhar. Best Lap – 1:10.137 (Dinesh Pathirana)

With five more rounds still to come, the championship was only just beginning. The next round is scheduled for April 25 and 26, promising even bigger grids, fiercer competition and more opportunities for Sri Lankan drivers to chase their dreams on the world stage according to organisers.

source: Daily Mirror