Rustom Patel Unwinds Himself

Rustom Patel’s love affair with two wheelers and passion for motorsports is not totally unknown. His is a name that hardly needs an introduction. Eight times Indian National Champion and 275 trophies, are his prized possessions – that reflect his love and passion for two wheelers. Rustom Patel, who started working on his loved sport at a very young age has fulfilled several of his dreams and recently added yet another golden feather to his cap by opening a bike training school, in India, to produce bikers of an International stature.

Excerpts from an interview by Padmja Sinha …

How did you get into motor sport?

I started racing in 1985 as the youngest rider in India and the second youngest in the world. I still remember my first race in Mumbai’s Brabourne stadium on my first bike which was a 39cc Dandy – a minibike with no suspension and gears. None the less, it is a family legacy which I followed — not deliberately but by choice. I think I have all this in my blood which drives me every day.

How about your early days – What were they like?

My love for bikes is known to all and I started participating in races against teenagers and proved my might by finishing up in top three. Experience is the best teacher — I started getting better as I grew older and at the age of eight, my dad bought me a Yamaha PV 50cc and finally a Yamaha PW 80cc when I was 11. Yet, I would say I was still a novice. I became a bit more serious after I completed my studies and then my parents too realised my seriousness when I came third in the National levels in my very first race.

How many races have you won till date?

I have won more than 300 races at National and International levels.

The biggest challenge you have faced on and off the track?

Even if you have all the money in world it is very difficult to pursue your passion. It was the biggest challenge for me to travel on my own. Being a privateer I had to manage my finance, which at times, was really disturbing as I had to ride to different places in the country with limited money. Yet, it taught me many things and there is always a bright day after a dark night.
Who is your role model?

My eldest cousin Kaizad F Patel is my role model. He is the one who inspired me.

What else – other than bikes, drives you and makes you happy?

Yes, two wheelers drive me but dancing gives me a new lease of life. I am very passionate about dance and till now I have done many stage shows and still doing them. Dance liberates and recharges me for all my other activities.

You recently started a biking school in Mumbai. Tell us something about it. 

According to me, I-LAND RACING SCHOOL ACADEMY is the best and biggest platform for Mumbaikars. It is sad that there are many talented youngsters around us but then there is no ground and open space to sharpen their skills. Hence, I am trying my best to provide an opportunity for them to learn the true tricks of riding well and become a prefect rider. It is an option to train yourselves as future champions and one can hone your skills.

Most memorable moment?

There are plenty but one memory which is still very close to my heart is when I was representing India and came third – It was in Taiwan, where 54 countries had participated. It is a feeling that I still carry in my heart. I was treated like a king, yes, the race definitely bruised my knees, butt and back, but I knew I shouldn’t stop and it paid off well.

You quoted once, “Parsis love their bikes more than their wives”, please elaborate.

Yes of course, we love our bikes more than our wives and one can easily make that out by the way we maintain our bikes. We are very attached to our bikes and cannot tolerate them being mishandled. In fact, you can easily find people who seek our second hand bikes.

Any Future Plans?

I dream big and my future plans are no different. I want to see the Indian flag among the top in world of motorsports and I am sure that this will happen someday too soon.  I would just like to say “let’s make our country proud in racing, but it needs a lot of conviction and money. So let’s work towards that and achieve that which is still said to be unachievable.”

Courtesy :mybikemyworld.com