Damith speeding to success
Racing is a sport which demands enormous reserves of skill and courage along with a calm and pragmatic mindset. In theory, all these qualities are borne of maturity and experience. However, in practice, this may not always be the case, as young Damith Weerasinghe demonstrated with his dominant performance at this year’s Gunner Super Cross.
The racing prodigy announced himself at the event by stamping his authority over several more experienced drivers in the field, blazing to victory in the Standard Cars 1000cc category.
What made his win even more spectacular was that it was his first major outing on any racing circuit.
A month later, surrounded by two of his exquisite and extremely cherished race cars, Damith still beams when asked to recollect his feelings following the race.
“I have no words to describe it (The win). I was just so happy that I had a chance of finishing first. It felt really amazing,” he said. Damith’s love for racing sparked to life at an early age, nurtured and influenced by a family of racing fanatics. Once given a car however, his passion really took flight and eventually he made the decision to take up the sport professionally.
“My uncle was a racer and I received a lot of support from him and my dad, who is also a real racing lover,” he said. Training though, unlike in most other sports, is not a straightforward affair.
“Normally I don’t train before a race. Two days before the race I go there but they do not allow us to race.”
He jokingly adds that his success on the track is probably due to him being naturally gifted. It is hard to laugh off this assertion though, particularly considering how confident he is while maneuvering his Daihatsu Charade 5 past drivers who have been behind the wheel for several years. And if he continues to progress in this spectacular manner, then his magnificent victory in the Gunner Super Cross is likely to be the first of many. – David Stevens Pic by Amila
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