The Sappers 4X4 Gympo 2016 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 sixth successive year on 17th September 2016 at the Sapper Off Road Arena-Embilipitiya. Major General S Ranasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, the Commander Security Forces Headquarters (West) graced the event as chief guest.
The Sappers are no strangers when it comes to track construction, where as other speed tracks in the Sri Lanka are testimonies of the accomplishments. Further the Military Engineers have been instrumental in renovating roads in the post war Sri Lanka. With the expert knowledge and experience of over the years, the Sappers with the technical advice of the FWDC has incorporated the picturesque elements hills and valleys of Sri Lanka into a 4X4 track which is unique to Tunkama, Embilipitiya. The chosen Logo depicts the words Sappers 4X4 with the black and white checkered flag to indicate the off road motor rally. The Bison with wheels shows the rugged and tough going of the competitors with the word Gympo which the unique name was given to this Bison.
The Sapper Off Road Arena at Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering (SLSME), Embilipitiya is constructed with obstacles in such 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 in the variation 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 of the same track. 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 extra wide bridge with tracks that only accommodate the width of the vehicles. Along the track there are various obstacles, mostly uneven articulation which test the teams coping with the forces of gravity. Each team gets a run on both lanes back to back which is going through the obstacles. The Event have five categories, the Standard Vehicles, Standard Modified, Under 3000 cc, Over 3000 cc and Extreme Class which were battled out among top teams of Sri Lanka and the Foreign teams which have shipped their vehicles to contest this title.
Further, the event was colorful with motor bike races which was conducted in collaboration with SLMRA.
The results of the event are as follows:
4x4 RACING
01. WINNER OF EXTREME CLASS
Driver: Sihara Thilina
Co Driver: Ravindu Dananjaya
02. WINNER OF EXTREME CLASS – ENTRIES – OVER 3000 CC
Driver: Chaminda Dareeju
Co Driver: Dimuth Fernando
03. WINNER OF EXTREME CLASS – ENTRIES – UNDER 3000 CC
Driver: Sihara Thilina
Co Driver: Ravindu Dananjaya
04. WINNER OF STANDARD – TOURING CLASS ENTRIES OVERALL
Driver: Damith Karunathilake
Co Driver: Damith Dasanayake
05. WINNER OF STANDARD - TOURING CLASS ENTRIES - MODIFIED
Driver: Yohan Hettiarachchi
Co Driver: Sajith Sachindev
06. WINNER OF TOURING CLASS MODIFIED ENTRIES - STANDARD
Driver: Damith Karunathilake
Co Driver: Damith Dasanayake
