Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Round 7 & 8 Sentul Indonesia 23rd July.

This was my first time in Sentul and was the same for most of the drivers. During testing we made different set ups but finally got the best during qualifying. The circuit was very fast but a bit boring. I qualified 11th on the grid.

Round 7

I started with the used tires so the first few laps it was difficult as most of the others ran with new tires. I was behind Geoff but couldn’t pass him he was going really fast. Any way I was able to finish 10th.

Round 8

I didn’t get a good start and Ricardo got in front of me and it took 2 laps for me to pass him. Although Geoff had pulled away I was able to pass him around the 7th lap and till the end of the race he was just behind my tail but we had a great race because he is fast and great gentleman driver. I really enjoyed his company. Our times were very close to the front runners but the first few lap gap was there till the end of the race. Now I am back in the 7th position.

The next PCCA will be in Shanghai on the 1st of October but on the 27th I will be doing the Merdeka 12 Hour race at Sepang with Ian Geeki and Nick Thomas driving the 996 which I use for the Malaysia Super car series.

Kurunegala Road Races 30th July (Sri Lanka)

This is the best road circuit in Sri Lanka. Kurunegala is my home town and we held this race after almost 15 years. The layout has changed and it was great racing in the home town in front of all my friends and relatives.
There was almost
300,000 spectators and the atmosphere was great.
I took part in the Motor cycle events and the GT race. I rode bike after almost a year. I was planning to arrive in Sri Lanka few days earlier to do a little bit of testing unfortunately due to my other work I was able to reach home just before 30 minutes before the qualifying on Saturday.
I qualified Pole in the Cars and was 3rd quickest on bikes. It was great to get on to the bike after so many months. As soon as I went off on the bike the real riding spirit came back to me. I couldn't believe myself I could do it so well after so many months without being on a bike.
The 125 cc Racing bikes I finished 2nd. I had a bad start but was able to overtake one by one every lap and was getting very close to the winner and was 1 second faster than him but couldn't overtake him.
In the motor cycles racing open event I finished second to a 250cc which was very faster than my 125. I was really happy with the results and I think at
43 I can still beat the young guys.
The GT cars I couldn't get a good start but after the 5th corner I was on the lead and by the 4th lap I was almost half a lap ahead and at once the gear box broke. I was almost crying because I could see the crowds cheering me so much and I had KURUNEGALA on my car. I knew with my less power Celica no one could beat me on a road circuit. I hope we can make this a annual event and in a country like Sri Lanka to have 300,000 spectators was great.
The other great thing was my family could watch the race from our garden because my house was on the circuit. I must thank Nishantha who did my bike and Peter Allnut who now lives in Sri Lanka had done a great job with the Celica and it is so easy for me now as he takes care of every thing and the only thing I have to do is to drive.

I was given a Award by the Sri Lanka Automobile Sport(The Governing Body for Motor Sports Cars.) for my contribution for Motor sposrts over seas. I was given the award by Mr. Richard De Soyza the President of the SLAS soon after the award ceremony of the Kurunegala road races on the 30th July. The wordings of the award was as below. I really thank the SLAS and the president Mr. Richard De Soyza for giving me this award. I really feel proud and it is always good to be respected by your own people for your contribution for your country and with this I fell like I still have to do a great deal of work for my country and bring victory until another Sri Lankan gets in to International racing.

SRI LANKA AUTOMOBILE SPORTS
Governing Council 2005
Presents this award to
Dilantha Malagamuwa
For bringing honor and glory to Sri Lanka against all odds racing to great heights amidst fierce competition in the International Circuit.
Your brilliant performances clearly demonstrates the abundance of talent which can be nurtured given right opportunities.
The Motor racing fraternity in Sri Lanka is confidents that your achievements will inspire a new generation of drivers to take this to this fascinating flamboyant Sport.