Md Arfath, fastest rider on Day 1; Jagathishree wins girls’ race
Chennai, Sept. 16: Mohammed Arfath became the fastest rider on Day 1 in the second round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Drag Championship at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) here on Saturday.
Arfath, won the Super Sport 2-stroke 131cc to 165cc class and also bagged two more podium places on Saturday. Mohammed Fazil won the Super Sport Indian 4-stroke upto 165cc class and Abdul Shaik claimed the Super Sport 2-stroke upto 130cc class. All the three riders are from Team G1Racing and their bikes are tuned by Waseem Akram.
In the Girls 4-stroke upto 165cc event, Jagathishree beat defending champion Lani Zena Fernandes to win the class.
“I am happy with the race. It is a big confidence booster for the upcoming Nationals. Want to come back stronger after a forgettable Round 2 and 3. I was recovering after a bad chicken pox attack. But having finished in the top-5 among 36 male riders in Nationals stock category as the only girl, I am looking forward to the next Sunday,” said Jagathishree.
Muddappa raring to go
Ten-time Indian National champion, Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing will begin his campaign on Muddappa holds both the National records in ‘851 to 1050cc class’ and the ‘1051cc and above class’ which he bettered last season. Apart from these two classes, he will take part in the 550-850cc class, and re-introduced Unrestricted Open category. The 851 to 1050cc class is now a support category and will not count for the National championship.
On Sunday, the top four classes will be held. “We started well in the first round and we are well prepared as we aim to go for three National titles this year,” said a confident Muddappa of Mantra Racing team.
Saturday’s Provisional Results (Roud 2):
Girls 4-stroke upto 165cc: 1 Jagthishree 16.650 seconds; 2. Lani Zena Fernandes16.920; 3. Soundari A 16.949;
Super Sport 2-stroke upto 130cc: 1. Abdul Shaik 13.438; 2. Mohammed Arfath13.715; 3. R Sirajuddin 14.140;
Super Sport 2-stroke 131 to 165cc: 1. Mohammed Arfath 13.187; 2. Mustafa Siraj Khan 13.268; 3. Abdul Shaik 13.283;
Super Sport Indian 4-stroke upto 165cc: 1. Mohammed Fazil 14.327;2. Aravind Ganesh 14.335; 3. Mohammed Arfath 14.482.
