Young king of drag retains his title at Strawdogs Rally
PORT ELIZABETH teen Dayaan Padayachey, 19, has arguably become the most intimidating drag racer on two wheels in the province, leaving competitors choking on his exhaust fumes once again over the weekend at the Graaff-Reinet drag strip.
The Humewood resident defended his title at the King of Drag event, beating 30 competitors at the weekend’s annual Strawdogs Rally in Graaff-Reinet.
Over the past two years, Padaychey has put his faith in his normally aspirated standard factory BMW S1000RR motor bike. It is yet to disappoint.
He is the youngest competitor to win several bike drag racing events and set the fastest quarter mile time ever recorded on a superbike in the Eastern Cape, in October 2013. The 9.3 second record still stands.
Despite climbing on his first bike at the tender age of four, he only acquired his car and bike licence, allowing him to drive on public roads, last year.
A Motorsport South African track licence allowed him to participate in prior track events.
“Drag racing has always come naturally and since I can remember I have been surrounded by bikes and cars.
“Most competitors pull up to the line revving and performing. I just stay calm, watch the lights and launch. It’s like the crowds disappear and nothing else matters for the next nine seconds,” Dayaan said.
His father, mechanic, mentor and at times rival, Dayalan Padayachey, who has won numerous drag racing and wheelie competitions, said his son’s talent far exceeded his own at such a young age.
“When it comes to anything with wheels, Dayaan could most probably take it on. His ability to race has always been talent which we have tried to nurture because he has continually proven he can and is always willing to improve.
“The odds at every event have not always been in his favour, with older, more experienced riders going up against him, and they are usually riding 1300cc to 1400cc machines, some of them turbocharged and most fitted with nitrous, yet time and time again he comes out on top,” Dayalan said.
The first-year Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University BComm business management student has also slid his way into both the car and bike drifting scene.
“Since I was in high school I’ve been experimenting with motorcycle drifting and did some car drifting as well.
“American drag racer Ricky Gadson makes a living out of drag racing, and I would love to as well, but realistically, I need to study,” Dayaan said.