• The much-anticipated SpeedBay 12-Hour Endurance Karting Championship 2024 was held for the first time in Sri Lanka last Saturday (October 19) at SpeedBay, Bandaragama.

Twelve teams battled for a spot on the podium, showcasing a talented mix of drivers and team managers. Each team could field up to 6 drivers, making teamwork and strategy critical. Team managers and pit crews played a key role as well, with fast pit stops and clever planning essential for a successful race.

The goal was to complete the most laps within the 12-hour timeframe, and impressive numbers were achieved as the race concluded after sunset. The teams were Asriel Flash Squad Racing, Spark Racing by Mega Solar, S. Thomas' College, Octane Racing, Mach 1 Racing, RHC Racing, Macson Mesh, Sysco LABS, Kartmen, Totachi Racing, Team LME, and Iron Maidens.

A record-breaking 1,004 laps were completed by the winning team, Asriel Flash Squad Racing with an impressive performance by team members Ishan Munaweera (Team Manager and driver), Ryan De Bruin, Shakthi Gunasekara, and Thinuka Wijerathne, supported by their pit crew Anura Wijerathna and Lahiru Liyanage. In 2nd place was Spark Racing by Mega Solar, consisting of Amjadh Ifthikar, Arshardh Ifthikar, Dimal Subasinghe, Jeffrey Saliheen, and Avishka Premadasa. They were supported by their pit crew Nuwan Jayasinghe and Malinda Perera, Managed by Shehan Silva.

Securing 3rd place was the team from S. Thomas' College, with Kevin Baranage, Rahel Abeyratne, Aadam Junaid, Amitesha Sentitcumaran, and Ryan Gunawardhana delivering a commendable performance, clocking the fastest lap time at 40.718 seconds. Their team was managed by Chahel Salih and pit crew consisting of M. Azaad and S. Kumara.

One of the highlights was witnessing Sri Lankan racing legend Dilantha Malagamuwa compete as a part of the Totachi Racing team. His wealth of experience in overseas GT Racing was clear to see, with some impressive racecraft on display. The excitement on track continued until the very end when Mach 1 Racing and Octane Racing battled it out on track during the final 45 minutes — at points with less than a tenth of a second gap between the two karts, marking a thrilling end to the competition.

As Sri Lanka's inaugural 12-hour endurance competition unfolded, attendees were left in awe, witnessing the intense and high-energy racing action. The event was filled with thrilling, jaw-dropping moments, showcasing the immense challenge for the racers and offering a truly unique experience for everyone involved.

The 12-hour karting race pushed drivers to their limits and beyond, with key factors like stamina, focus, strategy, and teamwork playing a crucial role. Drivers from each team took turns navigating the FIA-CIK certified SpeedBay Karting Track, elevating the competition to new heights as they fought to stay ahead of the game.

This championship required proactive thinking, efficient pit stops, discipline, and careful management of energy levels as drivers rotated behind the wheel. Success in the race hinged not only on speed but also on well-timed strategic maneuvers and thoughtful driver line-ups for each team.

"Completing a 12-hour endurance race represents a significant milestone for the local motorsport scene. We appreciated the level of preparation demonstrated by the teams and the interest shown by the spectators; their dedication and enthusiasm highlight the potential we have in this sport," says Eshan Pieris, Chairman - David Pieris Racing & Leisure.

Earlier this year, SpeedBay hosted a 6-hour endurance championship, and with last Saturday’s expanded 12-hour event, fans and participants can look forward to more frequent and larger-scale races as the competition continues to grow.

The SpeedBay 12-Hour Endurance Karting Championship 2024 was organized and promoted by SpeedBay at Pearl Bay, Bandaragama, in collaboration with the Motor Racing Association and the Ceylon Motor Sports Club. The championship was also sponsored by MRF Tyres, ATLAS Tires
and The Recovery Room. SpeedBay is owned and operated by David Pieris Racing & Leisure (Private) Limited, the motorsports division of the David Pieris Group.