The Valley Run 2024: Audi R8 breaks India quarter mile record

The Winter Edition of The Valley Run 2024, presented by Castrol, saw record-breaking results. Sean Rogers Pachigalla’s modified Audi R8 set the fastest quarter-mile run in India with a time of 9.215 seconds. 

He’s broken the previous record time of 9.278 seconds, set by Gautam Singhania in a drag-spec Nissan Skyline GT-R all the way back at the 2008 Autocar India Speed Run. Meanwhile, Hemanth Muddappa’s BMW S 1000 RR clocked the fastest bike time at 9.535 seconds.

This was the first time Elite Octane, the organisers and promoters of the event, held two editions of The Valley Run in the same year. The Summer Edition was held in April, while the Winter Edition was held at the Aamby Valley City airstrip from November 29 to December 1.

1. Audi R8 (Sean Rogers Pachigalla) fastest car - 9.215 seconds
2. BMW S1000RR (Hemanth Muddappa) fastest bike - 9.535 seconds

The Valley Run 2024 Winter Edition: Fastest cars, bikes

The latest edition of The Valley Run boasted over 700 participants and 8,000 spectators across three days. Keen automotive enthusiasts poured in from all over the country, bringing their prized possessions for a shot at ultimate drag-racing glory. Categories included two-strokes, four-strokes, superbikes, Indian modified cars, and supercars, making the event one for the history books. 

Hyderabad’s Sean Rogers Pachigalla led the time sheets with his Audi R8 V10+, tuned by Venom Performance. The supercar is equipped with a Sheepey Race twin-turbo setup, putting out 1,600hp and 1,432Nm. 

When it came to bikes, The Valley Run veteran Hemanth Muddappa’s BMW S 1000 RR (tuned by Mantra Racing) set the fastest time of 9.535 seconds. While Muddappa undoubtedly turned heads at the event, he could not beat the 9.48 seconds time he set at the Summer Edition of the event earlier this year. 

Yug Italia’s Skoda Octavia RS and Iqbal Sheikh’s Kawasaki Ninja took home prizes for the fastest Indian car and bike, respectively. Ajit Suvarna smashed the foreign bike wheelie record with an impressive time of 8.797 seconds, stunning fans and participants alike. 

Another major highlight of the event was the Ultraviolette F99, which set a blistering time of 10.712 seconds, ridden by Abhishek Vasudev. This achievement, certified by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), makes it the fastest motorcycle ever by an Indian manufacturer at The Valley Run. Ultraviolette has also announced plans to attempt the record for the highest top speed by an Indian motorcycle in the coming weeks.

The event also featured a drifting showcase and stunt display, with masterful stunt riders and drivers putting up a show for the ages. Castrol also set up an exclusive Performance Pitstop at the event, providing last mile vehicle check ups for all participants.  

“I am happy that we have reached a milestone of the 13th edition of The Valley Run. The brilliant response of the 13th edition has been the true reward for this long journey and with records being shattered, it makes it even more special. The participants have grown in numbers and the quality of vehicles was simply mesmerising for any auto enthusiast,” said Rongom Tagore Mukerji, director of Elite Octane and promoter of The Valley Run.

The popularity of drag racing in India continues to surge and plenty of brands showed up to support the latest edition of The Valley Run, including Castrol, JK Tyre Levitas Ultra, Ultraviolette, Monster Energy, Cloud9 and Porsche Centre Mumbai.

"India's motorsports racing culture is growing rapidly, and Castrol is proud to bring its legacy of powering high-performance engines to this exciting event," added Rohit Talwar, Vice President Marketing, Castrol India Limited.

The Valley Run 2024 Winter Edition results