Ten-time Motorbike National Champion Rajini
Krishnan talks about racing and sponsorship.
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| Rajini Krishnan at QSBK (Image Credit: Rajini Krishnana / QSBK) |
Ten-time National Champion in
two-wheeler category Rajini Krishnan is arguably India's best rider by
statistics. His International achievements include winning the MSS (Malaysian
Super Series), Podium in the FIM ARRC (Asia Road Racing Championship), being
selected for the World Endurance Championship & winning the LARRS (Losail
Asia Road Racing Series). He has bagged a full sponsorship from from QMMF to
run at the Qatar-based 2014 QSBK championship. We caught up with the
30-year-old champion to know more about the person underneath that racing
helmet of his.
When did you first start racing?
In 2002. I was 21 at that time.
Before that, I used to do amateur racing, which isn’t too safe either. One day,
a friend of mine took me to the track. The moment I went there, I instantly I
fell in love with racing. And then after two years of riding as a privateer, I
finally got sponsors and started racing with the TVS team in 2004.
When did you realize that you can be a pro-racer?
During my stint with TVS
between 2004 and 2008, I gained confidence and maturity. As I started getting
more and more involved, I realized that there’s a realistic possibility that
maybe I too could become a professional racer.
Which classes do you race in?
During my time with TVS (2004 –
20008), I was racing in the 165cc category. After that, I graduated to racing
in the 600cc. Since the past few months, I’ve been racing in the 1000cc class.
Which is your favourite class?
My favourite is the 600cc class
in Petronas Asian Championship.
Your favourite bike to race?
I love the Yamaha R6 – the bike
with which I raced in the 600cc class.
What would we find in your dream garage?
1. BMW S 1000 RR 2. Kawasaki
ZX-10 R 3. Aprilia RSV4
What plans for 2014?
I’m currently riding in the
2014 QSBK (Qatar Superbike Championship). Two rounds are already over and I’m
currently ranked 7th out of 28 riders. We have six more races to go; I’d love
to finish the championship in top 3.
How are you practicing for the QSBK?
I don’t have any sponsors
except for the QMMF (Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation); hence, it’s
difficult to practice regularly. Just to give you an idea, each set of tyres
cost Rs. 40,000. I practice twice a month at MMSC (Madras Motorsports Club). In
comparison, the international riders practices twice a week.
As a result, without proper
sponsorship, it’s very difficult to succeed in racing.
What kind of support are the Indian riders getting from Indian
manufacturers and sponsors?
It is very difficult to get
sponsorship in India. Most manufacturers are unwilling to help. Neither are we
able to get any sponsors. We live in a country where all the brands and
sponsors are going crazy behind cricket but hardly anything is being done for
any other sport. Even the smallest of cricket matches are shown over and over
again on the television but the national racing championship is never
broadcasted.
To showcase a new bike, the
manufacturers sign cricketers and Bollywood stars as brand ambassadors. For
example, in Malaysia, they feature their national racing champion for promotion
of motorbikes.
I’m a ten-time national
champion and I can’t manage to find a single sponsor locally, I had to reach
out to the Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation for sponsorship who agreed
to give a full sponsorship for QSBK. And yet, I’m unable to get enough funding
to practice as frequently as other international riders.
What should Indian manufacturers do to help the local scene?
The problem is with the
mindset. When most of us go to buy a vehicle, first thing we ask is ‘kitna deti
hai.’ Of course, there are many reasons behind it starting from infrastructure
to standard of living; but that needs to change. Abroad, generally, people are
more bothered about power, engine reliability and other factors; before asking
how thirsty the vehicle is. Hence, our manufacturers make vehicles that are
less thirsty and majorly-underpowered. Manufacturers are mostly interested in
single-make races only, to promote their products. When a professional racer
approached them for open championship, most of them shy away. This needs to
change. Manufacturers should be more open to support the scene and the racers
in open championships also – national as well as international.
Certain manufacturers have
started their racing teams but I’d want to ask them, have they started for
profit’s sake or to improve the scene in India? Only the top-level management
in their team is Indian, apart from that, all the racers and mechanics are foreigners.
If they actually want to help grow the racing playground in India, they should
try to look for talent in India as well.
If given equal opportunity,
Indian mechanics, engineers and racers are as talented as their foreign
counterparts.
Do you think Indian racers are not getting enough support in our
country or you think they’re not capable enough to race at the highest level?
Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Disclaimer: This article first appeared on
RedBull.com
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