Hyderabad|India|November'2009: H K Pradeep and Pramod Joshua shared the honours in the second round of the Gulf Dirt Track Cup for two-wheelers, sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation and organized by Sportscraft in association with APMSC (Andhra Pradesh Motor Sports Club) and Kart Kave Hyderabad, in Hyderabad on Sunday 8th November.

The two TVS Racing riders won the glamour categories - the Indian Expert Class Group A and B respectively for foreign motorcycles upto 260cc to stay on course for berths in the Clash of the Titans, which pits the best of the three legs of the Gulf Dirt Track cup.

While Pradeep won one race in the Indian Expert Class Group A, Joshua, who stole the show in the first leg in Jaipur, proved a class above the field in Group B, winning both the races in the category.

After ACP Shree Laxmi Nayak flagged off the day’s programme, which had 130 entries, it was a battle royal all the way as some of the best names in the business of two-wheeler dirt track racing came up with an awesome display in tough dirt conditions. The huge crowd that turned up to watch the show must surely been overwhelmed by the riding skills on display.

As dirt track racing is all about high speed, the riders raced round a serpentine gravel-laden track, which had slush in some areas. Many took a tumble or two, or skid, particularly around the sharp bends, as they looked to generate speed. But all showed the tenacity of champion riders.

While Pradeep shunted his TVS teammates from Bangalore Joshua and R Natraj to second and third place in the opening event of the day -- the first race of the Indian Expert Class Group A – he was beaten by Pradeep in the second race of the same category and had to settle for second place ahead of Natraj in the second race of the category.

Joshua though was too good in Group B, winning both races with a degree of comfort.

The TVS Racing rider had the crowd cheering as he went about the motions on a tricky, winding dirt course. He was simply unstoppable once he got out off the gates. Pradeep, Arvind and Natraj tried their best but all they could settle for was second and third places respectively in both races in the group.

If Joshua stole the limelight in the Indian Expert Class, Maninder Singh and Fabio Chindy proved kings of the Private Expert Classes Group A, winning a race each and finishing second. Badal Doshi had to be content with third place in both races.

Coimbatore’s R Prakash, astride a TVS RTR 160, won both the races in the Private Expert Class for Group B.P K Raju from Kerala, R Murthy from Bangalore and Bangalore Syed

Hidayat won a race each in the Novice class which witnessed keen competition and excellent riding despite the inexperience of the riders.

B Anand Kumar emerged supreme in the College Class. He was challenged all the way by M Yasser Arafat and S Rajesh who finished second and third respectively.

And despite the long programme, all the riders and spectators were appreciative of the event, appealing to the local association to stage more similar events.

Reachout's News Bureau
November' 2009