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Shyam Kothari defines man's relationship with the machine. The seven-time national champion in motocross has been associated with the machine for 25 years. He participated in about 480 races and won 317, of which 223 were motocross events. He is the only Indian to have been crowned national champion in all the three disciplines of motorsports (motocross, rally and dirt cross).
Though Shyam retired from active racing in the year 1996-97, his association with the sport continues. He is now on his second innings on the track -- as an organiser. It is not an exaggeration to say that Shyam Kothari’s name is synonymous with motocross. Thanks to Shyam Kothari, comeNovember 28, Pune will stage an international event. Such a mega event comes back to the city after 17 long years.
Such is his credit in meticulously organising motocross events, be it a small event or an International one. His rapport with two wheeler riders is extraordinary, he is liked by one and all, and he is looked upon as a down to earth person and fair organiser. When it comes to solving any problems in a motorsports event, he is the go-to man. It is only because of this that he is the most sought after motocross organiser in India.Sportskeeda caught up with the champion for a tete-a-tete about the international event and his innings with the sport.
Q: What got you into this sport?
A: My friend Raju Shaikh was a racer and he also used to maintain my imported motorcycle. One day when I went to service my motorcycle he was about to go for his motocross practice as there was a big event coming up. He asked me to join him. I started practising with him and maybe he thought I had some potential, so he asked me to participate in the event, which I finally did. He asked me to participate in the novice class, but I wanted to race with the big boys.
I participated in the experts’ class and with God's grace I finished second overall in that event. The rest is history. The spirit of adventure and the will to win got me racing motorcycles. I have also represented the state for football and cricket at the junior level but when I got involved in racing everything else was forgotten.
Q: Pune is also known as the Mecca of Motorsports. What is your take on that?
A: Yes, it is also known as the Mecca of Motocross. Pune has to its credit the maximum number of International, World Championship, and National Championship, open and closed events for motocross. Motocross requires a lot of skill, even more than road racing and rallying.
Q: Do you think that the two-wheeler event in India has not got its due recognition?
A: Yes, I do agree. But, there are a lot of criteria to look into. Firstly, people think that it is too dangerous. There is no backing from the government. Events have to be held more frequently and not one off. Sponsor backing, right equipment, lack of training, the list would seem endless but I feel now, considering the amount of entries we are receiving at our events, the sport is heading in the right direction and would soon get the place it deserves.
Q: Why can our riders not match up to the international riders, what would you think should be done?
A: With the right training facilities and with proper racing motorcycles we could be in competition with some of the foreign riders, but it will take some time. As far as the riders are concerned we are trying our best to train and provide them with proper machines and other facilities. But I think a lot more awareness should be created. Other organisers must also conduct motocross events in other parts of the country, we must have seminars for motocross stewards/scrutinisers which would go a long way in improving the efficiency of our officials too. Thanks to MRF, Hero, TVS, Indian Oil Corporation, Sidwin Engineering and Ceat who kept the sport alive with their financial support.
Q: Do you think it is high time that you start a motocross training school?
A: Yes, I do propose to start a school. Now that the sport has got some government recognition at least from the state government, we propose to get land and build a track as soon as possible. We are also trying to import motorcycles to provide training facilities to the participants.
Q: How do you look at the sport in the near future. Is it growing? And your plans?
A: Our future plans are to start a training school and have an international event at the end of this year. With the kind of team backing we have I am sure we would succeed in whatever we plan for. Talking about the future in this sport, I would say I am just a beginner and not a veteran in the field of organising, and I will give my best.
