(Image source from: Outlookindia.com)

India's first ever representatives at the world finals of the Man Cup Motorcycle Drag Race, Amit Sharma and Sonu Sundeep Singh Sokhi, both from Hyderabad, have made the country proud by ending up in the top ranks with their performance over the last week at Valdosta of Georgia, United States.

According to a Facebook post by Elite Octane Inc, which is promoting and supporting the duo, Sokhi qualified as the third out of 35 entries from across the world in the 'Street Fighter' class, and earned his way to the final eight bikes, while Sharma, while clocking India's fastest drag racing time-slip of a stunning 8.87 seconds, also attained his way to the Top 16 in a seasoned racers class which had 64 entries.

Both used two Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14Rs for the event.

All odds were against the two, Elite Octane noted, pointing out that the two had never raced on a Drag Prepped Surface, had not been used to the power of the machines they were on and got only two days of training under the Rickey Gadson Drag School.

A drag prepped surface is a track surface that is sprayed with a custom formulated resin, which acts as glue for tires and offers exceptional grip and safety.

"But they did it in style and beat the best in the world and earned their respect on a global platform," it noted, pointing out that the event had over 800 racers from across the world and most of them with more than 20 years of experience.

Eleven-time world drag racing champion Rickey Gadson had chosen the duo after their amazing performance at the Valley Run in Amby Valley, Maharashtra.

-Sowmya Sangam