CHENNAI: Seven-time national champion Hemanth Mudappa of Mantra Racing broke his own record with a triumphant double gold medal in the ribbon events in the second round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Drag Racing Championship here on Sunday.
Reaching a top speed of 230 km / h, he extended his lead in the championship in the premier 4-stroke category above 1051 cm3 on the Madras motor circuit of 303 meters.
The 31-year-old boy from Coorgi, based in Bengaluru, once again did his magic by rushing for a gold medal, breaking his own national record in the SuperSport 4-stroke 850-1050cc class set in 2019.
Hemanth also holds the national drag record in the upper class at 1051cc.
“I am so happy to have set the national record in this category. Seven national titles will not be a coincidence. We worked hard and we trained hard, testing and improving after each race,” said said Hemanth, delighted.
Hemanth clocked a stunning 7.914 seconds to break the national drag record in this category, despite a fraction of a second slower reaction to the start of Mohd Riyaz of Hyderabad, who clocked 8.058 seconds.
Sugan Prasad, also of Bangalore, clocked 8.421 seconds to win bronze.
In the premier 4-stroke category above 1051 cm3 Super Sport, riding a black Suzuki Hayabusa, Hemanth clocked 8.061 seconds.
In the other categories, Bharath Raj (226-360cc), Madhan Kumar (up to 165cc) and Aiyaz Rem (361-550cc) won gold.