GT3 Asia Championship Round 7, 8 and 9 at AutoPolis Circuit Japan 16th and 17th October 2010.

I competed in the Asia GT3 round 7,8 and 9 which was held in Japan at AutoPolis Circuit on the 15th,16th and 17th. When I arrived in Japan I was 4th in the championship and 20 points behind the leader which I knew will be very difficuilt to beat. But my intention was to win all 3 races which will be a record to win 3 International races in weekend.

This was the first time I raced in this circuit and all the other drivers had raced there before. I did not test on Thursday as I wanted to save money and tires. On the 15th which was Friday we had official testing and in both testing I was the fastest with old tires. I bought only 3 sets of tires for 3 qualifyings and 3 races which was a little bit difficuilt to do.

Any way in all Qualifyings I was fastest and took Pole position for every race.

On the 16th we had 2 races. The 1st one I was leading and in lap 3 I had a spin and Hammam took the lead he was 6 seconds away when I got back but within 4 laps I over took him and got to the lead and all the way was leading and finished the race winning the 1st race with the fastest lap. Hammam finished 2nd and Samson Chan finished 3rd. After the 1st race I was 2nd in the championship and 17 points behind hammam.

Race 2 Round 8 16th.
Once again I started on pole and won the race without any challenge. Then during the race I couldnt see Hammam and knew he had some problem Frank Yu finished 2nd and David Lai finished 3rd. I did the fastest lap on this race too. Later I found Hammam had a mechanical problem and he finished 8th. So now Hamam had only 5 points lead over me.

Race 3 Round 9 17th.
I knew it was really hard to win the championship as Hamam was the 2nd fastest and if he finished 3rd he would have still won the championship so my decission was to win the race and then see how it comes. I started the race on pole and was leading with a good pace and in lap 6 the Safety car was called in as there was an accident so I had to slow down Hammam thought I had a mechanical problem and he didint see the Yellow flags and he over took me which was a penalty. I just let him go as I knew he would be penalized. Once the Safety car went into the pits the race started and I started chasing Hammam he was black flaged he just ignored and I knew he will be disqualifyed from the race. So my mechanincs came with the pit sign asking me to slow down which I did. I won the race and won the championship. Michael Choi finished 2nd and David lai fifnished 3rd. Once again pole to finish winning and setting up the fastest lap a record. I was crying whicle crossing the finish line I was so happy wining 3 races the Championship what else could I get the happiest man in the world. I am so Happpy once again I could bring glory for Sri Lanka winnig one of the most prestigious championship in the World. Although this is called GT3 Asia this is not restricted to Asians there are so many drivers from all over the world. Every one started calling me Miracle man after the races. It was amazing and I think it is some one up their who helped me to do this. We started the seson with my old car which was not cometible at all with the other new cars so I am so thankfull to Mr. Hayashi for buying me the Lamborghini from Reiter Engineering. I got a card from Reiter Engineering yesterday with every employee signing on it and congratulating me I feel so proud as a Sri Lankan to achieve this.Also Mr. Eric Lee Ax Ray Sunglasses for Sponsoring me and Sata Tools both from Malaysia for giving me a chance by sponsoring me although I am Sri Lankan they were very generous.

I must speciall thank the Media of Sri LAnka who has supported me through out my career, Mr. Sarth KOngahage Chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation for sending the crew to cover the races and giving me live coverage and all the crew, Mr. George Cassian owner of Kevin Buiders in Sri LAnka who helped me financially, My 3 MAlaysian Indian Tamil boys who worked and made the car to win they were superb we had the least mechanics and these 3 boys were brilliant. Although I had so many difficulties every day I used to get so many messages from my FANS ON FACE BOOK and their messages gave me so much strength and courage to win for Sri Lanka. My family who always support me my friends relations and every one who supported me without them I would have never ever been able to do this.

So friends thank you so much for your supports through out the year I have the next challenge in November 21 Macau Grand Prix which is one of the most famous races in the World and I want to win this and the last race of Malaysia Super car series which if I win I will win the championship again.

Dilantha Malagamuwa

Racing with Pride for Sri LAnk