SpeedBay Launches Sri Lanka’s First-Ever Sodi World Series (SWS) Sprint Championship

SpeedBay, Sri Lanka’s premier karting and motorsport facility, has made history with the launch of the country’s first-ever Sodi World Series (SWS) Sprint Championship, introducing an exciting new era of accessible, arrive-and-drive kart racing for aspiring and seasoned drivers alike.

The six-round championship marks a major milestone for Sri Lankan motorsport, offering competitors a unique opportunity to race world-class Sodi karts, the world’s leading four-stroke rental kart brand, and earn eligibility to compete at the prestigious SWS World Finals, the global showcase of amateur and semi-professional karting talent.

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Designed as a purely individual championship (in contrast to team-based endurance formats), the SWS Sprint Championship creates a level playing field, with equal karts and minimum weight regulations ensuring that driver skill and consistency are the ultimate differentiators. The arrive-and-drive format eliminates the need to own a kart or invest in expensive equipment, making motorsport more affordable and inclusive than ever before.

The inaugural round drew overwhelming participation, with the Senior category recording 33 entries, forming the largest single grid in Sri Lankan karting and motorsport history. The event also welcomed strong international interest, with drivers from Pakistan, China, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Germany, and the Czech Republic, including a six-member contingent from Pakistan.

The two-day race weekend further featured the second year of the IAME Sri Lanka two-stroke championship and the SWS Endurance Championship, which saw 16 teams battle it out over a grueling three-hour race, underscoring SpeedBay’s position as a regional hub for competitive karting.

“Launching the SWS Sprint Championship is a defining moment for Sri Lankan motorsport,” said Buddhima Attapatu, Deputy General Manager, David Pieris Racing & Leisure. “Our goal is to show that anyone, regardless of age, background, or budget, can get started in racing. With multiple categories, equal machinery, and a clear pathway to international competition, this championship opens doors that simply did not exist before.”

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The championship caters to a wide range of competitors through multiple classes, including Cadet, Junior, Senior, Masters, and Women’s, and is officiated by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC), the FIA-appointed ASN for Sri Lanka.

Key Results – Event Highlights

IAME Series Sri Lanka – Finals

• IAME Cadet: Winner – Hakam Ossen | Top 3 – Hakam Ossen, Mikkell De Silva, Tanasha Raddella | Best Lap – 1:00.703 (Hakam Ossen)
• IAME Junior: Winner – Aneeq Jamaldeen | Top 3 – Aneeq Jamaldeen, Sahiru Nemika, Tehan Amarasiri | Best Lap – 53.274 (Aneeq Jamaldeen)
• IAME Senior: Winner – Sheshan Gunasekara | Top 3 – Sheshan Gunasekara, Ryan Gunawardhana, Kavisha Uyanwatta | Best Lap – 51.848 (Sheshan Gunasekara)
• IAME Master: Winner – Zhao Kang | Top 3 – Zhao Kang, Romani De Silva, Eric Ou | Best Lap – 54.524 (Eric Ou)

SWS Championships

• SWS Endurance Cup: Winner – Team Avant (126 laps) | Top 3 – Avant, Kartmen, Velocity X Racing | Best Lap – Spark Racing (1:09.249)
• SWS Sprint Cup – Women (Race 2): Winner – Sorayah Wahab | Top 3 – Sorayah Wahab, Natanya Raymond, Sharanya Mendis | Best Lap – 1:09.939 (Sorayah Wahab)
• SWS Sprint Cup – Junior (Race 2): Winner – Hakam Ossen | Top 3 – Hakam Ossen, Anish Samarajiwa, Piers De Mel | Best Lap – 1:13.802 (Anish Samarajiwa)
• SWS Sprint Cup – Senior (Race 2): Winner – Asif Magsi | Top 3 – Asif Magsi, Arshardh Ifthikar, Kevan Samarajiwa | Best Lap – 1:09.152 (Arshardh Ifthikar)
• SWS Sprint Cup – Master (Race 2): Winner – Dinesh Pathirana | Top 3 – Dinesh Pathirana, Syed Naqvi, Thomas Plojhar | Best Lap – 1:10.137 (Dinesh Pathirana

With five more rounds still to come, the championship is only just beginning. The next round is scheduled for 25th and 26th April, promising even bigger grids, fiercer competition, and more opportunities for Sri Lankan drivers to chase their dreams on the world stage.

The event is further strengthened by the support of leading mobility and automotive partners, including GWM Sri Lanka and BAIC Sri Lanka by David Pieris Automobiles, Bajaj Electric Three-Wheeler and Chetak Electric Scooter by David Pieris E-Mobility, and MRF Tyres by David Pieris Motor Company, underscoring a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and performance excellence.