SAPPERS 4X4 GYMPO – 2017 CONCLUDED WITH GREAT SUCCESS
The Sappers 4X4 Gympo 2017 Off-Road Challenge conducted by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers in association with the Four Wheel Drive Club (FWDC) and the Sri Lanka Motorcycle Riders Association (SLMRC) worked off for the Seventh successive year on 10 September 2017 at the Sapper Off Road Arena-Embilipitiya. Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe RWP RSP MSc ndu psc, the Colonel Commandant andthe Commander Security Forces Headquarters (West) graced the event as the chief guest.The Event consisted with two main categories as Off Road event and Motor Bike Race. Off road event unfolded as 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 which have shipped their vehicles to crowned title.
The Sapper Off Road Arena at Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering (SLSME), Embilipitiya is constructed with obstacles in a manner that natural obstacles are emulated and both the drivers and navigators are tested on their extreme adaptive skills. The uniqueness of the track 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 andmostly uneven articulation which test the teams coping with the forces of gravity. The key feature is the over and under track where a two lane track in the shape of number eight cross at the center via a Compact 200 bridge which width is same as width of the vehicles.
Further, the event was colorful with Motor Bike Races which were conducted in collaboration with SLMRA. Renowned champion riders in the country contested with their super machines for the “Gympo Best Rider†title, in a different type of track which consist of numerous of obstacles, bumps and bends which stimulate the thrill of speed racing.
Many senior Officers, Officers, Other Rankers with their families and over 2000 spectators enjoyed the day.
The results of the event were as follows:
4x4 Racing Events
Winner of 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 Sandaruwan
