‘Sappers 4x4 Gympo – 2017’ Thrills Spectators at Embilipitiya

The Sappers 4x4 ‘Gympo - 2017’ Off-Road Challenge organized by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) in association with the Four Wheel Drive Club (FWDC) and the Sri Lanka Motorcycle Riders Association (SLMRC) worked off for the 7th successive year on Sunday (10) at the Sapper Off Road Arena in Embilipitiya.

Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Colonel Commandant and the Commander, Security Force Headquarters - West graced the event as the Chief Guest. The Event consisted of two main categories; Off Road event and the Motorbike Race.

Off road events unfolded under four segments; Touring Standard, Touring Modified, Extreme under 3000 cc and Extreme Over 3000 cc Class which were battled out among top teams of Sri Lanka and the foreign teams who have brought their vehicles here by ship.

The Sapper Off Road Arena at the Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering (SLSME), Embilipitiya has been constructed with obstacles, typical of natural obstacles.

Both drivers and navigators were tested for their extreme adaptive skills before the event. The uniqueness of the track meanwhile lies with the wide range of obstacles as teams have to drive through mud pits, water crossing, and crossing of log bridges, rock climbing, V grooved trails in different stages, etc. Uneven articulation tested the teams coping with the forces of gravity before they joined the track. The key feature is the track with a two lane track in the shape of the number eight cross in the center via a Compact 200 bridge which corresponds to the width of a vehicle.

Further, the event turned colourful with motorbike races which were conducted in collaboration with the SLMRA. Renowned champions in the country vied with their super machines for the “Gympo Best Rider” trophy in a different type of track which consists of numerous obstacles, bumps and bends which stimulated the thrill of speed racing.

A few Senior Officers, Officers, Other Rankers of the SLE with their family members and over 2000 spectators enjoyed the day.

Results of the event are as follows:

4x4 Racing Events

Winner in Touring class standard

Driver: Yohan Hettiarachchi

Co-Driver: D.M Nuwan Kumara

Winner of Touring Class Modified

Driver: Senal Rathnayake

Co – Driver: Ginura Rathnayake

Winner of Touring Class Overall

Driver: Senal Rathnayake

Co – Driver: Ginura Rathnayake

Winner of Extreme Class under 3000 CC

Driver: Amal Wickramaarachchi

Co – Driver: W.M Rasika Kaushalya

Winner of Extreme Class over 3000 CC

Driver: Samith Samarasinghe

Co – Driver: Warner Oorloff

Winner of Extreme Class overall

Driver: Amal Wickramarachchi

Co – Driver: W.M Rasika Kaushalya

Motor Bikes Race

Winner - Mx over 85 cc up to 125 cc (Forces)

Lahiru Jeewantha

Winner – Mx up to 85 cc 2T and over 85 cc up to 150 cc 4T under 13

Kesara Godage

Winner – Over 65 cc 2T and up to 150 cc under 16

Vinushka Thrimalsha Silva

Winner – Over 65 cc 2T and up to 150 cc 4T under 16

Vinushka Thrimalsha Silva

Winner - PW 50 cc under 10

Minuka Rathnayake

Winner - PW 50 cc under 10

Minuka Rathnayake

Winner - Mx over 85 cc up to 125 cc

Buddika Silva

Winner - Standard over 85 cc up to 125 cc

Nihal Wijerathna

Winner - Mx over 85 cc up to 125 cc 2 stroke and over 125 cc up to 250 cc 4 stroke

Gayan Sadaruwan

Winner - Mx over 85 cc up to 125 cc 2 stroke and over 125 cc up to 250 cc 4 stroke

Buddika Kasun Silva

Winner – Standard over 85 cc up to 125 cc 2 stroke and over 125 cc up to 250 cc 4 stroke

Shanuka Sandaruwan

Winner – Standard over 85 cc up to 125 cc 2 stroke and over 125 cc up to 250 cc 4 stroke

Shanuka Sandaruwan

Champion Rider

Gayan Sandarruwan