Jeep Wrangler Southern Night Rally 2014, tagged as the “Journey through the Wilderness of the South”, organized by the Southern Motor Sports Club took place recently in Matara.Thirty one competitors took part at this event which was flagged off opposite the Matara Clock Tower on Saturday (Nov-1) night. Jeep swept away the major honours at this event which was conducted in two stages.

The first stage covered 204 kilometers and started from Matara and ran through Bandaththara, Diyagaha, Aparekka, Kirinda, Hakmana, Deiyandara, Makandura, Mulatiyana, Akuressa, Bangama, Pitabeddara, Siyabalagoda and ended at Morawaka. The second stage covered a distance of 224 kilometers and started from Morawaka and passed through Beralapanathara, Deniyaya, Hayes Hill, Buthkanda, Kolonne, Panamure, Udawalawa, Sevanagala, Padanangala, Embilipitiya, Middeniya, Julampituya, Walasmulla, Hakmana, Yatiyana, Kekanadura and ended at Matara.Driver Nalin Premaratna and Co-driver Lasitha Rajapakshe from Team Jeep Cherokee won the Jeep Wrangler Southern Night Rally 2014, while Driver Aloka de Silva and Co-driver Meesha Gunawardana from Team Jeep Wrangler came in second, and Sam Chandrasoma and S.K. Methunshanka from Team Ironman were placed third.

The first stage was won jointly by Driver Shafraz Junaid and Co-Driver Shafraz Hamzudeen driving a Nissan D21, and Driver Aloka de Silva and Co-Driver Meesha Gunawardana from Team Jeep Wrangler who collected 158 debits each. The second stage was won by Driver Nalin Premaratna and Co-driver Lasitha Rajapakshe from Team Jeep Cherokee.

The overall winner Nalin Premarathne from Team Jeep Cherokee shared his views about the event. “It was indeed a pleasure to be a part of Team Jeep, a brand that has been close to my heart since childhood. A good brand can becomes an excellent brand depending on the people who represent it. The staff at DIMO has done just that. This win wouldn’t have been possible if not for the service and the support we received from them.”

The iconic Jeep brand is recognized the world over — forever tied to freedom, capability and adventure. Every Jeep vehicle has a unique story to tell, with a rich heritage that links back to the original Willys MA. Jeep owners have long known that Go Anywhere, Do Anything® is a way of life — not just a slogan.
Aloka de Silva from Team Jeep Wrangler who was the 1st runner up in the overall result went on to say, “Being placed the overall 1st Runner up and joint winner of the 1st stage in the Jeep Wrangler Southern Night rally 2014 has been one of the greatest achievements in my life, especially considering that this is the first ever rally I have had the privilege of participating in. My love for Jeeps and rallying has been my biggest dream ever since I was a small child and today I had the pleasure of making it a reality, although it did not come easy.”

Jeep is a way of life. From the old Willys Jeep up to the latest Jeep Cherokee, Jeep has built a name that has made it one of the most aspired and admired off-road vehicles in Sri Lanka. The amount of enthusiasts and Jeep followers provide evidence to the cult that follows the brand in Sri Lanka.DIMO is the only authorized distributor for Jeep in Sri Lanka and their latest showroom and service centre is located at ‘DIMO800’ at Colombo 15.