Speed Records, Spills and Thrills

FHM: When and where did you first attend a drag race, and what was it about drag racing that remains in your memory?

Rickey: I attended my first drag race in 1983. I was dirt bike riding with friends and they decided to ride to the drag strip so I followed. They walked me through registering my bike so I could try it. That was my first time drag racing and the 1st motor that I let go. I blew up the motor on my first day! And was hooked on drag racing ever since!

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FHM: Beside the adrenaline rush, what else goes in your mind when you are on the drag race track?

Rickey: When I'm on the track I try to make each run better than the run before. You always try something different when tuning the bike and seeing it materialize into your best run ever. So when I'm lining up I worry if I made the right move or could that move lose this race for me. But when I stagging, I'm only thinking about giving it everything I've got every time I leave (the starting line).

FHM: When does one realize that he can race professionally?

Rickey: I realized it when I won a lot of races on my own without major sponsors and also had beaten a couple of noted fast guys that I was never supposed to be at.

FHM: Is there any other side of drag racing that interests you?

Rickey: I run my own drag racing school, where I teach others my techniques and how to be their best in a drag race. The other thing that interests me about racing is the camaraderie you experience with family and friends. I've raced with some of my best friends on the track.

FHM: What is the best part about drag racing?

Rickey: Its fastest accelerating form of Motorsport racing and its exciting each time I can turn on a win light.

FHM: Does drag racing require a proper team or is it a one man show?

Rickey: One man can do a lot of things on his own; Drag racing is surely not one of them.

FHM: 10 times World Champion, what else is there in store for you?

Rickey: I had a small feature in the movie Biker Boyz and assisted quite a bit on set with actors Tyson Beckford and Derek Luke. I really enjoyed that. I would love to do more TV & Movies and even have my own show. Also eventually I'd like to start my own race team.

FHM: What is your opinion about young Indian Drivers?

Rickey: Young Indian drivers/riders have that "eye of the tiger" and the ambition and drive that makes me love the sport and realize that some things are the same about drag racers no matter where you are.

FHM: Since our country is not exposed to such extreme Motorsports, how does one make his way to the international circuit?

Rickey: I would say a good start is to come to the states and take a drag racing school for technique and see where you measure. Places like dragbike.com has drag racing news and updates. And dragbikelive.com is where racers go to watch live streaming of races. Now racers can communicate from anywhere in the world and connect with other racers.

FHM: How important is it to find a sponsor?

Rickey: For the average racer its very important. It gets difficult to afford to race at a pro level. There's a lot more money that goes out to be more competitive than there is going back in your pocket right now in drag racing.

FHM: Have you ever tried car drag racing?

Rickey: Yes. I actually set the track record in South Africa in 2003 in a top alcohol dragster @ 7.52

FHM: How different is car drag racing from motorbike drag racing?

Rickey: Too many doors… lol

From the April 2013 issue of FHM India.