Asian GT Challenge Race Round 3 & 4
At Sepang F1 Circuit in Malaysia 23rd & 24th June 2007.

I competed in the Asian GT challenge for the first time with an invitation from the organizers. The round 3 and round 4 was held in Sepang F1 circuit on the 23rd and 24th of June. I used my Porsche 996 GT3 which I use for Malaysia Super car race. There was practices on 20th but I couldn’t do as my engine arrived in Malaysia only on the 22nd early morning. We had official testing at 8.30 am but so none of the mechanics slept and was able to finish it before the testing I slept for about 2 hours. On our first test we could do only 4 laps as the test was red flagged due to an accident. As we had a fresh engine we had to run in for about one hour. The 2nd test was in the evening and with running in the engine for few laps I was able to make the 3rd fastest time. The top was the Spanish driver Luis Monzon who was driving for semi Ferrari works and the current leader of the championship and last years champion. I was 2 seconds slower than him so he didn’t know I was a threat for him. On the 23rd morning we had the qualifying I was able to qualify 2nd and only 0.3 seconds behind Monzon. I would have taken the pole but I was blocked in the fastest lap and in the last lap I was too fast in the last corner and slided to the grass. Monzon came to me and said he couldn’t believe the time I did because we hardly had any time to set up the car. The car was not accurate and we didn’t also want to take a chance and make big changes.

In the round 3 on the 23rd I got a good start and was able to get to the first corner in front of Monzon but he took me again in the 4th corner I was giving a good fight but the handling of the car was not perfect but I was able to do the fastest lap time in the race and I finished 2nd. Monzon was first I was 2nd and Siu Tit Lung of China who races with me in the PCCA was 3rd. Monzon was a very good driver and a great guy he came to me and he said this is the first time he was so tensed because I was just behind his tail. His team from Italy was really nice people and I really enjoyed their company. Last year and this year he was not ever been challenged by any one else. There were 11 Porsches and 12 Ferraris and drivers from 8 countries. I and few Chinese were the only Asians and others were from Spain, Finland, Nederland, Canada, UK and Australia. I was thinking I should some how win the round 4 which was on the 24th my birthday.

Round 4 I had to use used tires and Monzon had new tires. So he took off in the start and by the 2nd lap he was 7 seconds in front of me but every lap I caught him and by the 7th lap I was only about 1 second behind him and in the 14th corner he stopped after that I slowed down because the 2nd and 3rd was not to be seen. I was so happy again I got the best ever birthday present. I finished 1st and Francis Tjia of Nederland finished 2nd and once again Siu Tit Lung finished 3rd. The whole circuit was cheering for me specially the Sepang F1 circuit officials and the commentator was giving so much publicity for me and for Sri Lanka.

I was so happy and I was almost crying when I got down from the car every one was cheering so many people. When I was in the podium after I was presented with my trophy my engineer Vince brought me a birthday cake for me to the podium and what else can you have in life such a great day. After the race all the drivers came to me because non of them knew it was my birthday until it was announced by the commentator while I was on the podium. This was the first victory for Porsche and for Michelin tires because last year and this year Ferrari and Pirelli has been dominating so Michelin was so happy and all Porsche drivers wanted me to join the rest of the season but I don’t think I will be able to join because right now I have only Mr. Hayashi as my sponsor so already he has done so much for me. I will try to do my best at least to do one more race in the Asian GT challenge this year.

I think I am so lucky and blessed to win a race on my birthday because as I know I don’t think any racing legend has won a race on their birthday. When I called my Mother and my family to give the good news they were crying with joy I must thank them because they have been my shadow for all these years in my good and bad days. I must specially thank Ian Geekie for helping me to win this race and also Vince and old the boys for working so hard without sleep. I wished I had time to celebrate with them after the race but unfortunately I had to take a flight back to Japan same night .This was a great event and all the officials did a great job and I met really good friendly drivers who compete in this series