Currently the Malaysian superbike champion, Rajini Krishnan, is a nine-time Indian National road racing champion, who started riding 14 years ago. The young biker, who is passionate about this sport says, “I have always been in love with biking. My friends noticed how fast I was on the roads and took me to a race track since it was safer. It came very naturally to me! Also, I used to watch a lot of bike racing championships on TV. Once I finished my studies, I decided to take up racing as my profession.”
Rajini, who has represented India many times, is miffed about the government’s step-motherly treatment towards the sport. “When compared to the support given to other games, bike racing in India still needs a fillip.”
While not on the asphalt, he plays football. Rajini also runs a racing academy called RACR (Rajini Academy of Competitive Racing) in the city. “I teach youngsters how to ride superbikes at my academy. Till now, I have trained almost 150 candidates,” he adds. Started eight months back, Rajini is now planning to bring an international biker to the academy every couple of months, to coach the students.
Being the first Indian to win an overseas motorcycle racing championship must be stressful. But Rajini says that there is not much pressure from fans and well-wishers — “They only encourage me and that keeps me going. I am under financial pressure mostly due to lack of sponsorships!”
Rajini, who has been associated with the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup for sometime now, says, “I have been appointed as a mentor to the youngsters for the Red Bull Road to Rookies Cup, India. It is for young biking enthusiasts between 13 to 17 years of age. I will be required to identify good talent that can take part in the championship. I will also be training and advising them on mental conditioning, physical fitness and riding skills.”
