Team HTL-Alpha, led by lead driver Mansur Hassen, beat a strong contingent of experienced rally drivers to win the Lotus Rally 2009 held on the 14th and 15th of August. The 500 kilometre rally, run overnight to a Time Speed Distance (TSD) format, was organized by the Ceylon Motor Sports Club who won tremendous plaudits for organizing one of the most challenging and exciting TSD rallies ever held in Sri Lanka.

HTL-Alpha 01Mansur Hassen, driving a Mitsubishi Montero and navigated by Kalim Iqbal, finished in second place overall and narrowly missed out on the top step of the podium by a mere 9 debit points. Team members Travice Ondaatjie and Taffy Alahakoon finished 7th overall in a Toyota Surf with Nishan Weerasooria and Sriomal De Silva 10thin their Toyota Hilux. The fourth team entry of Tony Abbass, a veteran competitor in the Motorbikes category, finished a creditable 3rd in class on a Honda XR250. Abbass was navigated by his daughter Tamarih, the only female navigator in a field of 43 entries. Their combined debit totals were far superior to those of their rivals, many of whom count decades of TSD rallying experience.

After a ceremonial start at 6:30 pm on Friday the 14th of August at Galle Face Green, Stage 1 began from Kesbewa and ended at Ratnapura after 160 km of treacherous terrain at surprisingly high average speeds. Hassen and Iqbal had far from a smooth run, cutting a tire and losing time before changes were made at the compulsory halt mid-way through the stage.

HTL-Alpha 02Stage 2, starting at 3:30 am, took the field through 130 km of harsh hill country terrain, through the Maskeliya and Laxapana areas, finishing up at Kitulgala for the breakfast halt where the Alpha-HTL service crew made much needed repairs to the team's competition vehicles. Stage 3 (112 km long) started at 11:00 am and although run at relatively lower speeds, was equally gruelling, seeing more than one of the expected challengers fall by the wayside. After the competitive section of the rally finished at Hanwella town, the competitors made their way to the ceremonial finish at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte where Team Alpha-HTL received their winners trophies.

The Managing Director of team sponsor HTL Logistics and a noted rally driver himself, Reyaz Farook was effusive in his praise for the team. "I am proud of the way that Mansur, Kalim, Nishan, Sriomal, Travice, Taffy, Tony and Tamarih were able to represent the core values of the HTL group. Their professionalism and focus on the task at hand in the face of challenging conditions and competition represents what we strive to achieve at HTL Logistics. Despite various issues they stuck to their task, finished strongly and brought home the top prize." said Farook.

HTL-Alpha 03HTL Logistics is a leading freight forwarding company, with a presence of more than 3 decades in Sri Lanka. In addition, the HTL group has over 20 branch offices on the subcontinent, with plans afoot for expansion into the Far East. Visit www.htllogistics.com for more information on how HTL Logistics can help your business.