Hemanth Muddappa bags two golds for 7th National drag title; 4th year in a row

David Bodapati January 24, 2021

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File photo: Hemanth Muddappa who won nine National Drag titles . An INDIAinF1 image

Chennai, 24 January 2021: Multiple National champion Hemanth Muddappa of Mantra Racing was in his elements once again winning both the gold in the top-two categories as he emerged as a deserving National Champion for the 4th successive year, in the second and final round of the MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Drag Championship at the MMRT in Chennai on Sunday. Promoters Madras Motor Sports Club successfully concluded the Drag Nationals 2020 under strict bio-bubble.

Touching speeds of 205.65kmph, the 31-year old Bengaluru-based rider, who is passionate about fitness, won the above 1051cc class with ease clocking 7.879seconds for a course of 302-metres astride a BMW, beating Baba Satagopan (8.263) to second and convincingly defeated darkhorse Hafizullah Khan who ended up third with a time of 8.362 as the fight fizzled out to a one-man show. Tuned by Sharan Pratap, who continued the legacy of popular Pratap Jayaram, Hemanth was astride a Black BMW and soon celebrated with a custom-made helmet and champion T-shirt, as he bagged his 7th National Drag title in four years.

In the 850 to 1050cc class, the hardworking Coorgi, Hemanth Muddappa was on a green Hayabusa clocking 8.071 for his second gold of the day. Zubair Ali Jung came second in 8.202sec while Baba Satagopan was third in 8.306sec.

All five champions of the National Drag Championship which concluded on at MMSC Sunday.

Hemanth won the National Drag Championship in the Feature race of Unrestricted Foreign Open class in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 besides winning the top-two classes above 1051cc and 850to1050cc in 2018 and two more gold in the same classes today to make it his 7^th National title. The Feature event, Unrestricted Foreign Open was not run this year. “Winning can be an excellent form of motivation for a time, but the drive to be just a little bit better every single day can make you unstoppable,’’ said Hemanth Muddappa, who is celebrating with his team and tuner Sharan Pratap, who says, “It is hardwork throughout the year. For this one day and two races, we prepare the whole year.’’

In other classes, J Bharat Raj clocked 14.420 to win the gold in the 4stroke 165cc category beating PM Soorya to second and R Aravind Ganesh took third place. In the 361 to 55cc, former Racing champion Karthik Mateti of Hyderabad won the National title edging out Aiyaz while Thulsi Ram took third. In the 226 to 360cc class, PM Soorya too had a close finish over J Bharat Raj to win the National title. Shankar Guru took third place.

National champions 2020:

Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing, Above 1051cc and 851-1050cc);

Aiyaz (Pvt, 361-550cc and 131-165cc);

J Bharath Raj (Rulexx Rockers Racing, Up to 165cc, 226-360cc);

Ann Jennifer (Sparks Racing, Girls).

2-Stroke: Aiyaz (131-165cc); Mohammed Rafiq (2S, Up to 130cc).

Provisional Unudited Results (Final run):

4stroke: Above 1051cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Mantra Racing- 7.879seconds); 2. Baba Satagopan (8.263); 3. Hafizullah Khan (8.362);

4Stroke: 851 to 1050cc: 1. Hemanth Muddappa (8.071); 2. Zubair Ali Jung (8.202); 3. Baba Satagopan (8.306);

4stroke: 165cc: 1. J Bharat Raj (14.420); 2. PM Soorya (14.462); 3. R Aravind Ganesh (14.526);

4stroke: 361 to 550cc: 1. Karthik Mateti (12.325); 2. Aiyaz (12.360); 3. Thulsi Ram (12.447);

4stroke: 226 to 360cc: 1. PM Soorya (12,532); 2. J Bharat Raj (12.536); 3. Shankar Guru A (13.166).