If you are the kind of person who enjoys a bit of speed and acceleration in your life, the Colombo Night Races 2012 was definitely the place to be.
Turning out to be one of the largest and mainstream racing events in Sri Lanka, the second edition of the Colombo Night Races were held on the 14th and 15th of December in the vicinity of the Colombo Fort.
By “the vicinity of the fort”, I mean a massive 4.2 Km track that covered an enormous area stretching from the Galle Face Hotel to the opposite end of Pettah.
I made it my goal to make my way from one end of the track to the other. It took me almost the whole night; pausing to cross each street during every racing event, but I finally made it! Let me share with you what I learnt as I progressed along the track.
After interviewing quite a number of spectators, I soon realised that the event was receiving mixed reviews. Spectators had to be at a safe distance from the tracks and many found that to be a hindrance to the enjoyment of the races.
This was pretty much the biggest criticism I received repetitively from almost everyone I spoke to.
Mr Chanaka Herath, a patrolling policeman replied “People have to think about their own safety first and realise that whatever happens, we along with the organisers have to be responsible. We just want to ensure the maximum safety for everyone and their property. I am 100% satisfied with the security situation and it’s definitely better than last year.”
Overall the event seemed to hold together a shaky balance between spectator safety and their enjoyment, which is a pretty difficult feat to achieve when it comes to an event of this scale and much credit is due to the organisers for managing to strike a balance.
All controversies aside, it was clear that as the night progressed, everyone was enjoying themselves. The atmosphere all around was just great with excellent food stalls and good music. And this is just leaving out the extremely exciting and exhilarating racing events! The racing and car enthusiasts seemed to be getting exactly their money’s worth.
One of the new events that the CNR introduced this year was the three wheeler race which as you can imagine was quite entertaining to watch.
Spectator Comments
Shabeeb Ahmmed : “The cars are pretty cool! The crowd is amazing and it’s great to see everyone come together for this event!”
Rishikeshan Pangushan : “Last year was more interesting. It’s kind of boring because everyone has to stand so far away from the track”.
Michele Brooks : “They’ve done a good job with the security, especially with the zoning system, everyone feels relaxed and safe.” Living away and coming back to Sri Lanka and
seeing an event of this scale makes me feel proud about our country.”
Jeremy DeZilwa : “It’s a great chance to meet friends and hangout. You don’t get to see many cars in Sri Lanka except for other racing events like the drag races which were held in Katukurunda.”
Adnan Asgar : “I’m just loving the atmosphere here! The Lamborghini’s and the bikes just add to the atmosphere making it even cooler!”
Manuri, Champi and Gayani : “This is exciting even for us girls! It’s interesting to watch and participate in an event of this scale. It definitely makes Colombo a happening place. We are really looking forward to seeing the Lamborghini’s on the track and the tuk race was brilliant!”
Ashan and Nadhi : “This year was definitely better organised, there were new events to keep everyone interested and it was a lot of fun. It was also inspiring and entertaining to watch drivers of the caliber of Dilantha Malagamuwa on the track.”
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Just like any event, there is a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes, even more so considering the scale and nature of this particular event. I was fortunate enough to talk to the man in charge of the recovery process. His main responsibility was to coordinate the recovery of all the vehicles that crash at high speeds and ensure that the wreckage doesn’t hinder the rest of the race.
Sam Chandrasom, the president of the Nissan Patrol Club of Sri Lanka which was handling all the recoveries for CNR 2012, explained to me the scale of the job his team had to execute “We have 14 recovery vehicles in operation today…that’s the most recovery vehicles used in any racing event here in Sri Lanka.”
When questioned on the severity of the crashes at CNR 2012 he answered “I’d say it was average right until the SL-GT race happened. 24 vehicles participated and 6 had to be recovered.”
You have to appreciate all the organising and behind the scenes work that had gone into the event, especially when you consider the size and scale of everything going on.
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Racers’ comments
It was clear that the crowd was enjoying themselves, but what is it really like to be behind the wheel? Racing away along the track at break neck speeds?
Racer Rameez Mahamoor : “It’s challenging, thrilling and dangerous!”
Mr Mahamoor (a racer for 15 years) : “The Sri Lankan racing scene has a long way to go but events like this are a good start and it gets people excited. The people participation and crowd support is truly wonderful! Compared to last year the setup is much better although the races are longer and more stressful.”
Part of the passion shown by race car enthusiasts and spectators is the willingness race car drivers like Mr. Mahanoor show towards pushing the limit of both human and machine. There is something inspiring about that, and perhaps that is what drew such a large crowd to the Colombo Night Races this year.
Besides the minor criticisms that arose out of the new safety precautions that were installed, the CNR could be viewed as broad success.
Events like the CNR, makes Colombo a living and breathing place. It gives an opportunity for not only the car enthusiasts out there, but all of us, to enjoy some serious racing action.
It inspires people and provides a brilliant and relaxed atmosphere for some good socialising, all the time reminding us about the importance of taking on challenges and pushing ourselves to the edge, all to the burning smell of rubber on asphalt.
Review by Maleen Jayasuriya
Pics by Samantha Perera & Reihan Stephen
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0 Comments
PoliticallyIncorrect says:
Dec 18, 2012 at 09:03 amado why import the dancing chicks when our motherland is full of delicious hotties?
Ruwan says:
Dec 18, 2012 at 12:37 pmAnother stupid comment from this fool!
manpei says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 12:51 amOh no not those dancers from the 20/20 world cup?
Angel says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 06:39 amPathetic...the races o.k. but why a fashion show for this beautiful SL ... where is the culture of sri lanka, where are the morals...is this what we are leading our young to. SAD
Eisso says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 08:43 am#Angel: Why be so contrarian? What do your find so pathetic? This was not a fashion show, it was a group of cheerleaders, which is considered de-rigueur at sporting events all over the world. If we are to keep up with sporting events & go international, then we have to keep with these trends. Motor sports is not the culture of Sri Lanka, so your comment is moot. Now, if it was hackery races or bullock cart races, then it could be considered a cultural event of Sri Lanka, but this was not so. Wha
Angel says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 09:20 amModels in underwear.....This is not for Sri Lanka!
Eisso says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 09:29 am#Angel: For crying out loud, these are NOT models. These are cheer leaders, in some instances referred to as "go go dancers". This is customary at all sporting events nowadays. Are you living in a cave? Check out the motor races all over the world and other sporting events on your TV, you will find cheer leaders such as this. You are not obligated to attend if you object. You sound like an utter prude.
SudhuGemba says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 01:43 pmHot chicks, fast cars in a crazy city in a weird racing concept! good entertainment i say:)
Gunapala says:
Dec 19, 2012 at 04:02 pm#Angel: Read both your comments, which are highly inappropriate and smacks in this day and age of misguided puritanical nonsense . Motor races are adult entrainment similar to legal gambling. So your comments are prudish to say the least. As for Sri Lankan culture? None of the modern day sports will fall under that category. Next time, if we play "Gudu" & have "Kussi Ammas" doing the "Wang Geddi" dance in "Redda Hatte" people like you will be appeased. I would sincerely advise you to step into t
Moghul Cuisine says:
Jan 02, 2013 at 12:00 amInteresting poiint brought up by Gunapala. Some of us are stuvk in the Victorian Era of Ceylon where morals are much talked about. The "Amude" is a simple loincloth even worn today by the paddy farmers, in this so called moral society. The Amude being worn by farmers gave inspiration to the western fashion ietm the G-string, being the Govi string. When the westerners landed here, our women walked around topless. Now we shun the westerner who tries to go topless on our beach. Angel, Angel. Please