The first two events
The Marble Decor Caltex Southern Rally and Eliyakanda Hill Climb at Browns Hill, Matara, launch two lasting club traditions. SMSC gains affiliation to the national motorsport body.
Southern Motor Sports Club · Since 1997
From the South.
For motorsport.
SMSC was formed to bring motorsport to Southern Sri Lanka and help raise its standards across the country.
← Back to homeAbout us
Founded in Matara, SMSC is affiliated with Sri Lanka Automobile Sports.
Founded in February 1997 by motorsports enthusiasts from the South, SMSC set out to bring racing and rallying to the region and raise standards across Sri Lanka. Founder members included Suranjith Premadasa, the late Preethi Palliyaguru, Ashhar Hameem, Andrew Silva and Lalin De Silva. Suranjith Premadasa served as founder President, Preethi Palliyaguru as Secretary and Ashhar Hameem as Treasurer.
Founder members
Suranjith Premadasa, the late Preethi Palliyaguru, Ashhar Hameem, Andrew Silva and Lalin De Silva helped establish the club in 1997. Suranjith Premadasa was the first President, Preethi Palliyaguru the first Secretary, and Ashhar Hameem the first Treasurer.
Milestones
Some of the events and people who shaped the club.
Beyond the track
The club stages Ratnapura Speed 2000 and introduces Beach Horse Racing to Matara.
Safari rally
The SMSC–Keells Hotels Safari Rally at Kanthale brings special stage rallying to the foreground.
Southern Super Cross
The BMW Southern Super Cross takes place at an SMSC-designed Autodrome in Tissamaharama.
Young SMSC
A younger generation joins event organization and learns alongside experienced members.
Rally Sri Lanka
SMSC organizes Rally Sri Lanka in the Ampara area with special stages following international standards.
Walawa Supercross
SMSC begins organizing Walawa Supercross at the Autodrome in Udawalawa.
The club's story
Rallies, hill climbs and opportunities for the next generation.
The founding years
SMSC was formed in February 1997 by motorsportsmen from the South to develop racing and rallying in the region. Its first official event was the Marble Decor Caltex Southern Rally 1997, followed in the same year by the Eliyakanda Hill Climb at Browns Hill in Matara. These events helped the club secure affiliation to the national motorsport authority, then SLAMS and now Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS).
Rallying and the Eliyakanda climb
The Southern Rally became one of the club’s signature events. Later known as the Southern Monsoon Rally, it was nicknamed the Journey Through the Wilderness of the South. The Southern Eliyakanda Hill Climb is another defining event, testing drivers and riders on the winding climb at Browns Hill. The club honours founding member Preethi Palliyaguru, who died in 2000, with a memorial trophy at the event.
New formats and major events
SMSC staged the Ratnapura Speed 2000 road races and brought Beach Horse Racing to Matara in 2000. The SMSC–Keells Hotels Safari Rally 2004 at Kanthale introduced special stages with documentation and signage aligned to international rally practice. In 2006, the club held the BMW Southern Super Cross at the Autodrome it designed and built in Tissamaharama.
People and the next generation
The club has organized members’ day rallies, fun rallies and training workshops to introduce young people to motorsport and strengthen rallying and marshalling skills. Young SMSC was established in 2010 to involve younger members in event delivery alongside experienced organizers. Some SMSC members have also undertaken FIA training and served as track and flag marshals at international events.
Rally Sri Lanka and beyond
In 2016, SMSC organized Rally Sri Lanka in and around Hingurana, Ampara, featuring special stages held to international standards. Since 2025, the club has also organized Walawa Supercross at the Autodrome in Udawalawa. Through the Southern Rally, the Eliyakanda Hill Climb, supercross and other competitions, the club continues the work begun by its founders: creating opportunities for motorsport in the South and across Sri Lanka.
Our philosophy
“Our philosophy is to introduce every motorsports enthusiast safely to racing and officiating, supporting each person as they develop their skills.”