Muddappa, who has won national titles in drag racing a record 12 times, continued his successful association with team Mantra Racing, and the combination dished out another stellar performance in the first round, missing a triple by a whisker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He started with a hard-fought victory in the 4-stroke 551 to 850cc Super Sport class clocking a blistering 8.630 seconds to edge out Hyderabad\u2019s Mohammed Riyaz, who timed 8.675 seconds. Altaf Khan, also from Hyderabad, came third.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bengaluru-based rider then took the start for the 851 to 1050cc Super Sport final run but lost to Mumbai\u2019s Anvay Patil by eight-hundredths of a second. Mantra Racing\u2019s Muddappa clocked 8.294 seconds to Patil\u2019s 8.286. Muddappa\u2019s teammate Sugan Prasad SP came third in 8.448sec.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Later, he was in his element again in the 4-stroke 1051 to 1650cc Super Sport class, where he logged a silver quick 08.063sec to take his second victory of the day. He beat Bengaluru\u2019s Mujahid Pasha (8.103) to second, and another Bengalurean Aymaan Baig came third in 8.117.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Astride the Suzuki Hayabusa, the reigning champion in the Unrestricted class clocked 8.251 seconds for a tie with city-mate Mujahid Pasha, who also clocked the same time but had a lesser reaction time, which was used to break the deadlock. Alimon Saidalvi came third.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am glad to begin the season on a positive note. After all the hard work during the off-season with testing and trials, it feels good to be on the track. I thank my hard-working team at Mantra Racing and my friends, fans and family, who always stood by me. It is a joyful journey and despite the disappointment, I am glad to begin with a double,\u201d said Muddappa, who is nicknamed \u2018LightningR1\u2019 for his brute speed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Provisional Results: Round 1: (all 4-stroke)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Unrestricted (Super Sport): 1. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru, Team Fast Track Racing) (08.251); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.251); 2. Alimon Saidalvi (Bengaluru) (08.279).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
1051 to 1650cc (Super Sport): 1. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.063); 2. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru) (08.103); 3. Aymaan Baig (Bengaluru) (08.117).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Unrestricted (Super Sport): 1. Mujahid Pasha (Bengaluru, Team Fast Track Racing) (08.251); 2. Hemanth Muddappa (Bengaluru, Mantra Racing) (08.251); 2. Alimon Saidalvi (Bengaluru) (08.279).<\/p>\r\n\r\n