Revved and ready

As a six-year-old, he rode a bike at a motocross for seniors at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay in 1985. "I remember that seated on my small bike (39 cc Japanese ‘Dandy’ which could fit into a suitcase!) I was still smaller than the wheel of the guy alongside!” chuckles Rustom Patel, recalling his first public appearance in the demonstration class for boys under 18!

Initiated into climbing on to a two wheeler one evening on his return from school by his older cousin Kaizad, Rustom was soon hooked on to the passion that has dominated Patel family life for a large number of years and has produced many a motocross champion! Their extended clan of riders consists of father Kersi (still riding at 58), and his three sons Neville, Zubin and Rustom, and Kersi’s brother Fali and his two sons Kaizad and Yezdi.

In February 2002, Rustom, now 23, set the track afire astride his Suzuki Fiero, winning the last leg of the MRF 2001 national motocross in Bangalore to secure his first national championship. The 1.2 km special track laid for the final round consisted of 10 single jumps, two table tops, three sets of double jumps and eight berms (embankments where the rider shows his riding skills), according to press reports. "I dedicate this championship to my brother Zubin who was the national champion several times and who has been my inspiration and guru,” Rustom told Parsiana.

Patel: irrepressible rider

With the initial legs of this year’s championship already begun, the irrepressible rider has bounced right back into form after a major crash during practice in Bangalore. "I tore my shoulder quite severely. The doctors said I should not ride for four months, but here I am back on track two months later and not a second slower!” chuckles Rustom who is among the top bikers who form Team TVS Racing. The TVS sponsorship enables Rustom to participate and brave the rigors of the race and reap its rewards in all parts of India. The 17 years of his racing career have seen him take part in Bangalore, Mangalore, Hyderabad, Baroda, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nasik, Poona, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, etc on dirt tracks, hill climbs, etc.

Among his current passions is the drive to promote the popularity of his Ace Machines Racing Club. "Two of my friends have died in motorcycle accidents on the streets. The rush of adrenaline and the thrill of zooming down roads at 120 km per hour can prove very costly. I want to pull these guys into sports, to hone their often amazing and awesome driving talent into creating a team of good riders who can participate in events all over India,” he outlines his plans. Holding get-togethers and Sunday fun rides, imparting his knowledge on the care, safety, performance and skilful handling of two wheelers, Rustom wants to prove a point — that Bombay riders are as good as any other. "One of my students recently came first in the novice category in Poona,” he elaborates. Charging just Rs 1,000 per year for the coaching, Rustom provides shirts and gloves to budding champions as well! "I have only one Parsi student,” he laments, adding that he is more than willing to give a 50 percent concession to fellow Parsis, but community members are either not interested or find it too difficult to travel to Thana! Rustom has been felicitated for his achievements by community organizations like the Bombay Parsee Association, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees, Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, Rustom Baug Association, etc.

Jocularly remarking that if he hadn’t taken up racing seriously he would have become a dancer, Rustom puts on his dancing shoes at Rustom Baug’s annual May Queen Ball, the rare male among the gaggle of dancing girls on stage! Early morning jogs and gym workouts keep him trim. When not traveling, Rustom joins Neville and Zubin at their RNZ (named after the three siblings) Service Station at Mazagaon. "Our showroom cum garage is among the leaders for sales of Kinetic Honda,” he says.

Two wheeler racing is a manly and challenging sport, Rustom believes, notwithstanding the bruises, body bumps and spills that accompany the thrills! "I love challenges and I want to go international, to compete maybe in Europe,” he asserts.