A Fight Back to P2: Ryan Gunawardhana’s Malaysian Karting Debut

By Noeli Jesudas

From the back of the grid to an international podium, Sri Lankan karting driver Ryan Gunawardhana’s latest outing in Malaysia marked another milestone in a growing racing journey. Making his debut at PinnacleKart Malaysia, Ryan fought back from an early setback in the Heat to secure P2 overall in the championship. His story goes beyond one race weekend of setbacks, recovery and a hard-fought international podium. In this feature, Ryan takes us through how his passion for karting began, his journey across international circuits, the lessons that have shaped him as a driver, and the ambitions that lie ahead.

For those who may be discovering your journey for the first time, tell us a little about yourself and how your passion for karting began.

My passion for karting actually started when I began watching F1 with my father. I was exposed to different sports like basketball and swimming from a young age, but I really connected with karting because it gave me a sense of freedom and a way to express myself. I started karting when I was around 8 at the Bandaragama track, and since then, I’ve wanted to keep improving and excel in racing.

 You had the opportunity to captain the karting team at S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia. You helped take the school team into international competition at the Sodi World Series in Dubai. What was that experience like, and what did it mean to see the team gain international recognition?

I had the privilege of captaining the S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia karting team in 2025. Although I had raced internationally as an individual, the college team had never competed overseas. I wanted to change that, so I made it our dream to compete in the Sodi World Series Endurance in Dubai. We were rookies to the track and the only school team, competing against experienced international drivers. The heat and pressure were intense, and there were moments of discouragement, but we never gave up. To earn international recognition as a team of Sri Lankan schoolboys meant more than a result on the timing screens. We proved that with belief, resilience and teamwork, a group of schoolboys from Sri Lanka could step onto the international stage and make the world take notice.

You have competed across Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Middle East. How did your journey evolve as you moved from local racing to competing internationally?

I’m truly grateful for everything racing in Sri Lanka has taught me and for the foundation it gave me to step onto the international stage. Having the opportunity to race on international circuits is a blessing, and I’m especially thankful to my parents for making that journey possible. My first international race was the Asia Pacific Karting Championship (APKC) in Singapore, where I finished P2 in the Junior category. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to race on multiple circuits across several countries, gaining valuable experience and earning recognition along the way. Every international race has pushed me to grow, learn and represent Sri Lanka with pride.

Making your debut at PinnacleKart Malaysia, you were also navigating an unfamiliar track. What were your expectations going into the Malaysia Karting Championship, and how did you approach the challenge of learning a new circuit?

 Since it was my first time racing at the track, my first goal was to have a strong and consistent race weekend. I started by speaking with my team at RL Karting to understand the track and its characteristics, and I also did my own research beforehand. During practice, my focus was on understanding the grip levels, finding the right lines and getting comfortable with every section of the circuit. With every session, the track became more familiar. By qualifying and race day, I had built a strong understanding of the circuit, and my mindset shifted from simply learning the track to pushing its limits and dominating it.

You qualified P4 in the Time Trial, but the Heat ended with a collision and an early retirement. Having to start the Super Heat from the back of the grid, you fought your way through to finish P2. How did you reset after that setback, and what was going through your mind during that recovery drive?

Qualifying P4 and then having to start the Super Heat from the back of the grid was a tough moment. But I never lost belief. I refocused and stopped thinking about winning; my only goal was to give everything I had. I was determined to overtake every driver in front of me and pushed through the race with everything I had. When I crossed the finish line, my father told me I had finished P2. That was the moment I realised I had put myself in a strong position for the final. Finishing the championship P2 was an unforgettable and surreal moment.

You went on to finish P3 in the Final and secure P2 overall in the championship. What does this podium mean to you, especially on your debut in the Malaysia Karting Championship?

I’m incredibly happy and proud of this win, especially after going through a tough patch this year. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to race in Abu Dhabi and secure a podium, and I carried that same belief and fighting spirit into this race. This victory is not just mine, it’s a collective achievement. I thank God for the talent and opportunities He has given me, my parents for their constant support, and my sponsors Mind Over Matter, Avikans, Avikans Techshore and E Lanka. Special thanks to Shanouk, Heshan and PIT PASS for always supporting me. And to RL Karting, our team principal and every mechanic. This win belongs to all of us.

Looking back on a race that took you from the back of the grid to P2 overall, what has this experience taught you about yourself as a driver, and what are you hoping to build on from here?

No matter where you start or how far you fall, every situation is an opportunity to rise. I’ve learned to give everything I have without being consumed by the thought of whether I will win. The greatest lesson racing has taught me is to never give up, no matter how difficult the situation becomes. As I look towards the future, I want to keep pushing my limits, keep learning and continue carrying the Sri Lankan flag with pride. My goal is to achieve greater things on the international stage and bring even more glory to Mother Lanka.