So you're wondering why dirt biking is different from other forms of biking?
Well..*puts on Manny The Mammoth voice* because.of all.THE DIRT!!
The tracks include pretty much everything except smooth tarmac - wet, muddy grass, rocks, gravel, dirt and sometimes all of these combined. So the bikes are obviously designed differently, as per the requirements of the sport. They're lightweight, have smaller engines, high ground clearance and longer suspension displacement (better shock absorption). The wheelframes are larger, and are fitted with knobby tyres. And equipment like turn signals, fairing etc is pretty useless on a dirt track, so off that goes.
What you get is a deceptively powerful machine that revs, growls, crunches and skids, offering one helluva ride.

Tell me about your start. How did you get into biking?
I started at the age of 16. This was in 1993, when we lived at Peddar Road. I used to get together with a bunch of 25-30 guys - all seniors - and learnt by watching them rev it up. The bikes used were mostly 2-stroke Yamahas.

So what was it like for you in those early days?
It was quite difficult for me, because I didn't own a bike then. They used to practise a lot in Andheri, and going there meant spending 20-30 bucks everytime. I had to book a place behind someone who was going, and chip in for petrol as well. Or during the week, I'd save to rent a bike for Sunday. It cost around 200-300 for 2 or 3 hours. That's how I practised. I got my first bike at 18 - a Yamaha RX100.

What was your first major victory?
It was a hill climb in Powai in 1997, where the best riders of Bombay were competing. I came in first, and won 3 trophies at the same event. So it started from there, and now I have 75+ trophies (smiles). I'm basically a rallyist, although I've done everything from dirt tracks to motocross and hill climbs.

Which race is most special to you?
It would have to be the Raid The Himalayan Rally 2005. An annual 5-day race, stretched over 2500 kms, it starts at Shimla, goes to Leh-Ladakh and takes you to within 100 kilometres of China. The temperature goes to -18 degress celsius, and high altitude sickness is common, because you just can't breathe there. I stood 3rd there, mainly because I had to spend 3 hours in the MI room on the last day, taking oxygen. That was the first and the last time I participated. The low temperatures are just killing.

How tough was it to go from 'mere spectator' to ‘professional racer’?
I wanted to race and not just watch, so I took the chance. For the first couple of years, out of 35 people, I'd see myself finishing in the last 5 (or first 30). And like I said, there was no one training me - I was self organised, self-sponsored.
So was that tough - being on your own?
Yeah of course. my parents - especially my dad - weren't happy about it. Dad's still not happy. This, despite the fact that I've won so many national championships. In fact I'm ranked 2nd in the country now, in the Foreign Category of the Gulf Dirt Track National Championship.

What kind of tracks do you race on and what are the challenges involved?
A track could be around 800-1000 m long, with lefts, rights and straights. And a race goes is usually around 10-15 laps, and lasts for about 10-15 minutes.
The challenges involved are different for each form of motorsport. For example, in drag racing, the machine is the main factor - 70 % of drag is racing is about the machine's efforts itself. Whereas in dirt, the emphasis is more on the rider. Even if you have a fast bike, it's up to you to control and make it go fast.

What kind of training do you go through?
What counts more than the size of your muscles is your mental toughness. For any sort of biking, the upper body has to be strong. My lower body is strong, so I'm working more on my uppers at Talwalkars. The workouts include more of cardio exercises. I do have a diet plan, but am a big time hogger(laughs).

How much money do you put into the sport, and how much do you earn from it?
A practice session costs me around Rs.1000, while competitions cost me around 10,000 bucks, including transport, food etc. The returns are very low - the top 3 winners get around Rs. 5000, 3000 and 2000 resp-ectively. I'm doing this only for my own passion.

What do you do apart from biking?
I'm working with my Dad on our construction business. I also train students on biking at Racing Blue, my training center in Airoli, Navi Mumbai. This came about because I wanted to give something back to the sport. We meet mainly on Sundays, for 2-3 hours. I charge Rs.1100 for 3 months.
My students have won quite a few national level championships in different categories. And these are people who've joined me just a year ago.

Have you had any major accidents?
Very few actually, because I don't race on roads here and am quite a cautious guy. Although while racing, I've broken my ribs, and also my right leg twice. Even though I have 5 bikes, I do NOT take them out on city roads, I take my car, walk it, rick it whatever but you will not see me speeding around on city roads.

Any role models or inspirations?
Valentino Rossi is what I believe in. I met him recently, at the Spanish GP.
Do a lot of women fall for your biker persona?
That's a secondary issue for me, and comes after my sport. And I don't know if it attracts women - you'll have to ask a woman that question.

Any tips for newbies who want to get into racing?
- Get advice from experienced riders
- Safety is of utmost importance
- Start with a bike you're comfortable with - mostly an Indian one. There's no point in picking up a high-performance stunner, and not knowing how to handle it.