DARIN WEERASINGHE
Today on the Buzz I speak to a silent champion, or at least that’s how I see him. A true sportsman with many great things under his name from powerlifting to racing, he has made quite a name for himself. This year seems like a busy year for him with many more trophies to carry - today I speak to him on the BUZZ to know what’s new!
WHEN years old DID and YOU just GET after INTO my RACING? ordinary level When exams. I was 16 WHAT FUN WHILE IS THE DRIVING? CAR YOU RACE HAVE OR HAD STREET THE MOST CAR? for sheer There speed is no and car thrill. that can My race match car a is race a Nissan car GTR, But I have a separate place in my heart for my Subaru sti and Mitsubishi evolution. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORT IN GETTING INTO THIS? My family. Which comprises my parents sister and wife. WERE YOUR PARENTS SUPPORTIVE IN YOU GETTING INTO THIS? My parents were always supportive in whatever I do as long a I proved to them that I’m passionate about it. My dad Bandula Weerasinghe was one of the best drivers in the early 90’s so racing is something that was a part of our daily lives. We also run a dealership called B.R.J.W Enterprises so cars have always been a part of my life. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD RACE CAR DRIVER MAYBE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU TO WANT TO BE A DRIVER TOO? My dad I would never miss his races and I would go with him from the time I was 6 years old and be in the car with him while he practises. Not the safest thing to do but I will never forget those days. They inspired me. HOW DO YOU DRIVE ON PUBLIC ROADS? CAN YOU SWITCH OFF YOUR HUNGER FOR SPEED AND TAKE CORNERS LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO, OR IS EVERY CORNER A CHALLENGE FOR YOU? I drive slowly on the road and specially when I travel with my wife and twins. But occasionally in the nights and if I'm alone I would put the pedal to the metal. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST DEFINING MOMENTS IN LIFE? Racing in 2014 when I broke the Mahagastota hill climb course record which hadn’t been broken for over 10 years. Racing in Sri Lanka started at Mahagastota and its a track to prove ones skill. My dad was the record holder in the 90s and breaking it in 2014 was very special to me. Especially since I did it in front of everyone who was important to me. In powerlifting when I won gold medal at commonwealth championships 2017 in South Africa - surpassing much stronger athletes. IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE POWER LIFTING OR RACING,
WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? It’s a choice I would never want to make. Racing is all about skill and teamwork. It doesn’t matter how great you are as a driver if your car is not prepared by your team you're never going to win. Powerlifting is the total opposite. To increase your lifts by a small margin you have to train , eat and live a lifestyle and make a lot of sacrifices. At least 5 times a week of training and off days are spent with active recovery. The pressure in international meets is off the scale. And at the end of the day it's just you and the bar. Lifting it will mean you have done years of work as there is no short cuts in this sport. WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT IN RACING – A STRONG UPPER BODY, LOWER BODY, OR CORE? Definitely strong upper body, Most of your controls and movements are done with your upperbody. Overall fitness is important in racing. My fitness levels always help me as I'm always consistent in terms of my pace and reactions however long the race is.
ARE THERE ANY WAYS TO OVERCOME NAUSEA FROM BEING EXPOSED TO HIGH G-FORCES (EXERCISES OR
WORKOUTS OR EVEN DIETS BEFORE RACE DAY)? Not really. I doubt any racing driver has nausea. You can't drive if you do. The best drivers feel at home once they are strapped in their car. WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS
A DRIVER? I have many , But in 2018 March when I became the Sri Lanka Drag Racing Champion in my Nissan GTR
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING EVENTS? ● I have Eliyakanda hill climb in February.
● I held the course record here from 2014 to 2017. ● Mahagastota hill climb in April where
I held the course record from 2014 to 2016.
● August Commonwealth powerlifting championships in Canada.
● October Katukurunda circuit meet.
● I will also be taking part in the Drag Racing Championships. DOES YOUR MIND EVER WANDER TO STRANGE PLACES WHEN DOING A LONG STINT? Not in a race car definitely no. If you're leading you're hoping it will finish soon . If your chasing you hope the race is longer. In powerlifting yes. Sometimes in the warm up area in international meets I tend to get scared. But then I switch on when I get to the stage. IF YOU COULD DO ANY RACE OVER AGAIN, WHICH RACE WOULD YOU CHOOSE? 2012 Colombo Night Race when I qualified on pole position in the super car event. The fastest event in Sri Lanka in front of 27 cars, I led from start until the last lap where the 2nd place driver and I collided just 300 metres before the finish. WHEN DID YOU GET INTO
THIS? AND WHY? I got into powerlifting thanks to my cousin
Darshan Weerasinghe a former r powerlifter. While I was studying in UK I worked as a bouncer to earn some extra money and I would always go to the gym with guys stronger than me and push myself to get to there level. I won the 2007 university championship and had a go in Sri Lanka in 2010. From that day I got hooked and started taking part competitvely.i have 6 Sri lanka Records in squat and deadlift and have won the bench press championship 7 years in a row.
I also represent Sri Lanka in Asian Championships and Commonwealth Championships.
I hope to win a Medal in the World Championships. My love for the sport is one of the reasons why we created High Octane Fitness. To provide Sri Lankans the best facilities equipment and trainers to bring out the champions in them.
Racing is all about skill and teamwork. It doesn't matter how great you are as a driver if your car is not prepared by your team you're never going to win