BIKERS CLUB SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE | Page 11

BC: Who's your mentor in racing? AP: Jeeva, Nelly and Anil. BC: How do you take criticism? Tell us about your best and worst criticism till date. AP: I take it a constructive feedback to improve on things. BC: If you want to tell us about one particular race in which you think you could have done better? Or you regret the most? AP: Spain Baja last year when I had the crash. BC: How do racers survive? Is it easy to get sponsors? What's your experience related to sponsors? AP: Motorsports is expensive in India, and racers survive through sponsors or self fundings by themselves. As for me with the support of TVS Racing, Sidvin, Mountain Dew, Scott, Cultsport & K&N, I am able to pursue my dreams professionally. It has not been easy to find sponsors and it has taken a couple of years. BC: How do you see the future of motorsports in India? AP: It is evolving, it has come a long way and I see a bright future for our Indian motorsports. BC: Is motorsports more of a passion or can be a career option? AP: I can be a career option. BC: How do you see a social media's role in motorsports? AP: It plays a very important role. As social media is accessible to everyone in the world now and more so in India and I think it is the best medium to educate about motorsports to people. BC: Do you think because of instant fame in social media, many wanna-be's have started racing / riding? Have you come across to any? AP: I do not believe in labelling people, each one of us have immense passion for motorcycles which is why we are all together. BC: Do you like to ride a bike as a tourer or you are purely a road racer? If yes the which bike you prefer to ride if you are not racing? AP: I used to travel a lot on motorcycles in my early days of riding, but ever since racing has become a part of my life, things have changed. As motorsports is as demanding as any other sport. keep hustling one day at a time and never give up AISHWARYA PISSAY BC: Those who don't have sponsors but are interested to make career in racing, is it possible? AP: Unless you can self fund yourself or you are extremely talented in which case a sponsor will sign you onboard. These are the only was it is possible. BC: How expensive racing is? AP: It is definitely cheaper than the cars. BC: As India is still lacking with resources and professionalism in racing, how did you manage to pull it off? AP: It was possible only because of my skills and performance. BC: Have you done any LDR (Long Distance Rides)? If yes then tell us about that. AP: The longest is a 24 days ride from Rann of Kutch to Cherrapunji. BC: Did you meet with an accident in racing? If you want to share? AP: Yes I have had two accidents, one was a life threatening accident and the other was breaking collarbone which have made me stronger. It has not been easy mentally and physically to bounce back from this but being a athlete is given me a way of life. BC: What's your point of view on safety measures? AP: Safety is the most important thing, even when I was a avid traveller I always made sure I wore the right safety gear and recommend the same. BC: Any goals or a dream race which you want to participate in future? AP: Dakar is my ultimate goal. BC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? Any future plans? AP: I see myself putting India on the map of motorsports along with educating a lot more people about racing and safety and of course racing internationally regularly.