Biker Muddappa star attraction on final day of National Drag Racing

PTI, Feb 26, 2022, 7:53 PM IST

Source: Twitter / @IndiainF1

Chennai: Multiple-time national champion Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing will be the cynosure of all eyes when the third and final round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Drag Racing Championship concludes its 2021 season at the Madras Motorsports Race Track here on Sunday.

With one hand on the coveted trophy in the premier 1051cc and above class, the Bengaluru-based Kodava star is in line for his ninth Indian national title.

The current holder of the national record in both the top-two classes, including the 851 to 1050cc class, Muddappa has set a new track record for the quarter-mile in the second round and it is winner takes it all in the 850 class as Hyderabad’s Md Riyaz and Mudappa are tied on 43 points each.

Aptly nicknamed ‘LighteningR1′, the Bengaluru biker is all set to display his wares on a Suzuki Hayabusa in the SuperSport Indian class for the Superbikes above 1051cc that has attracted a record number of entries for the final round.

”We have worked hard for this day throughout the year and it is time to deliver for the commitment and the dedication put in by every member of my team. I am looking forward to the event to close the year on a high,” said Muddappa, who has garnered a hat-trick of titles in the premier overall class among the nine national titles he won in different classes.

On Saturday in the 2stroke races, Abdul Shaikh won the final round in the up to 165cc class while R Madhan Kumar bagged the up to 130cc category. The 24-year Lani Zena Fernandes from Puducherry won the final round in the 4-stroke up to 165cc girls final to clinch her maiden girls’ championship crown.