Villa Ocean View launches racing track on Saturday

'Quad Biking' to be introduced for the first time:

Richard DWIGHT

The Wadduwa 'Villa Ocean View' of Ocean View Resorts will create history this Saturday, when it will become the first hotel in the island to launch a racing track. This much developed racing track is located on the adjoining five acre land of the hotel and, its grand opening will become all the more significant in that it will introduce a novel form of sport in 'Quad Biking' which is comparatively new to the country.

Both, the coming to be of the hotel's racing track and that of the four wheeled 'Quad Biking' on Saturday, are pioneering and pathfinding efforts of Ocean View Resorts in collaboration with Sonic Motor Sports and the active sponsorship of Abans, a company well known for its association with sports.

The General Manager Marketing, Ranjaka De Mel of Ocean View Resorts, said that the idea of developing the land around Villa Ocean View to serve as a racing track for the innovative Quad Biking, came about on seeing the Managing Director of Sonic Motor Sports, Asoka Jayawardene's, racing track near Parliament and the riders of Quad Biking in action. The newly laid ATV and Motor Sports track at Villa Ocean View, has been constructed and operated by Sonic Motor Sports.

According to Ranjaka the four wheeled Quad bikes are imported from Japan. It's most manoeuvrable, could be easily adjusted and adapted by the rider, even when he is on the run. Quad Biking is a popular sport in Europe and is spoken of as an adventure sport. The purpose of it is two-fold in that whilst it kindles a competitive spirit amongst the participants on the one hand, on the other it will be a boost for tourism.

The introduction of this adventure sport 'Quad Biking' here, is therefore timely and opportune.

For it will provide the much needed impetus and drive for tourism, with the potential of drawing tourists, visitors and guests into the island. This major happening in the life of Ocean View Resorts and its hotel Villa Ocean View on Saturday - will apart from the different races for Quad biking, where events for children too will be held. It does hold much for the many who would want to come, where a carnival atmosphere will prevail with music, food stalls, beer stalls and yet other forms of fun and entertainment.

Also lending support for the occasion will be the owners of the Austin Mini Cars of the mighty mini club. Around 50 Austin mini cars will come in procession from near the BRC grounds to reach Villa Ocean View by noon on Saturday. There will be timing events for the Mini Austin cars on Sunday and a comprehensive awards ceremony will be held on Sunday afternoon.

It all points to a fitting start to Quad Biking which would be the forerunner to other races in future like 4 Wheel Jeeps, Trail bikes, Prokarting, Mountain Biking and yet others.