Flying Past the Quarter-Mile Mark with Grit & Passion

Braving the crosswinds, holding the front wheel up in the air, Hrushikesh Mandke, Road Tester, made a record for being the fastest to cover a quarter-mile distance while doing a wheelie in 23.68 seconds in his Bajaj Pulsar NS 200. The Baramati Airstrip was reverberating with excitement and passion as he flew past the quarter-mile mark.

The adrenaline rush, the gushing winds, the heart-stopping excitement defined the day Hrushikesh Mandke made a record with the India Book of Records; for being the fastest to cover a quarter-mile distance while doing a wheelie.

Making this stunt possible is the Bajaj Pulsar NS 200. With 24.2 BHP, it has more power in its class and the stiff perimeter frame makes for a balanced and stable motorcycle whether it is on two or just one wheel. The power, the low weight, balanced chassis and the predictable throttle made the task a little easier for Hrushikesh Mandke.

Talking to India Book of Records, Sirish Chandran, Editor, Project GTO Publishing, says, “Keeping in mind the FMSCI guidelines, we attempted to break the National Record for the fastest quarter-mile wheelie. The team placed the start and end markers using cones while keeping safety precautions in mind. An ambulance was on standby, the runway blocked off and stunt rider Hrushikesh wore a certified helmet and riding gear. We used the Racelogic Performance Box Touch Data Logger for accurate results. In the end, Hrushikesh made the record at 23.68 seconds at a terminal speed of 77.83 kmph.”

The record has been months in the making, as Hrushikesh trained five days a week. His daily fitness training included cardio exercises and core strengthening, which helped him to hold the bike up in the air. He took a holistic approach to his training and trained both his body and mind.

The road to making the record was not an easy one. The team faced multiple challenges. Talking about the difficulties faced, Sirish says, “The airstrip was available for a limited time and despite that, we had to ensure that all three attempts were conducted safely and accurately. Since the runway was prone to strong crosswinds, it was a true test for Hrushikesh; he had to use all his experience, skill and strength to keep the front wheel pointed towards the sky for over 400 metres while countering the forces of nature. And not to forget, the scorching heat that made filming and photographing even more difficult.”

Reminiscing about the hustle of the young crew, the poha and vada pav breaks, and the light-hearted banter, Sirish keeps his focus determined and is planning the next record for the longest rolling stoppie.