In a thrilling turn of events at the fourth round of the Madagascar run championship, held at Arivonimamo, Rivo Randrianarivony stunned the racing community with a remarkable 8.71 seconds timing. This impressive feat was achieved during a test run, showcasing Randrianarivony's exceptional driving skills. As a novice in drag racing, but a multiple-time champion in motorcycle road racing and rallying, Randrianarivony's performance has raised eyebrows.
Prior to the event, Jaytaxx, the leader of the general classification, announced his withdrawal from the competition due to technical issues with his vehicle. Despite his absence, Jaytaxx motivated the other drivers, urging them to achieve a time under 8 seconds. Randrianarivony, driving the Audi TT owned by Nouroudine Mamodaly, demonstrated his capabilities and set a new benchmark. His achievement, however, cannot be officially recognized as a new record due to regulations requiring two consecutive runs with a maximum tolerance of three tenths.
Randrianarivony's accomplishment is significant, considering the recent evolution of the national record. In 2022, Tahiana Rasolojaona, also known as Jaytaxx, set the record at 10.41 seconds on his BMW E30. Subsequently, Herizo Boarilaza, alias Bobo, repeatedly improved the record with his Mitsubishi Evo V, achieving times of 9.13, 9.10, and 9.044 seconds in 2024. Nouroudine Mamodaly took over in 2025-2026, setting references of 9.191 and 9.14 seconds before establishing the current record at 9.03 seconds.
Randrianarivony's transition from two-wheel and rally racing to drag racing has been impressive. He successfully adapted to the full boost, launch control, and the intensity of a quarter-mile race. The driver will need to replicate his performance twice to officially break the record. His achievement has sent a strong message to the competition, demonstrating that an outsider can excel in the sport.
On the other hand, Nouroudine Mamodaly experienced a disappointing event. His highly anticipated Volkswagen Polo, with 1,300 horsepower and four-wheel drive, prepared by Don Octane, did not perform as expected. Mamodaly eventually settled for a 205, awaiting the final round to unleash the full potential of his new acquisition.
Jaytaxx's withdrawal from the competition was due to a technical issue with a performance part, which broke at 1 am on the day of the event. Despite his efforts to repair the issue, he was unable to participate. In a statement, Jaytaxx expressed his determination to return in December, acknowledging that his team had given their all until the last minute.
The recent developments in Madagascar's drag racing scene have generated excitement and anticipation for the final round. Rivo Randrianarivony's impressive performance has set a new standard, and fans are eager to see if he can replicate his achievement and officially break the national record. The competition is expected to intensify, with drivers vying for the top spot.
Key points
- Rivo Randrianarivony clocked 8.71 seconds in drag racing, a significant improvement over the current national record.
- Randrianarivony is a novice in drag racing but has experience in motorcycle road racing and rallying.
- The current national record holder, Nouroudine Mamodaly, was unable to achieve a notable time with his Volkswagen Polo.
