In Conversation with Nina Prinz - The Girl Setting Racetracks on Fire

If you are a true blue motorcycle junkie, then the view of a supersports machine tearing the racetrack definitely pumps you up. However, things become even more ecstatic and altogether different when the same is done by a woman. At the RACR training session held at BIC, we got a chance to interact with renowned Moto2 female German motorcycle racer - Nina Prinz, where she shared her experiences with us wholeheartedly. The lady was present at the venue to give training to the RACR students along with one of the finest Indian motorcycle racers - Rajini Krishnan who got immense popularity due to his win in the Malaysian championship.

Here’s what she had to say.

How does it feel to be here in India and tell us about your experience at Buddh International Circuit?

It's nice to be here, really. India is a nice country and the people are really really nice. I am really surprised to see this as in Germany, I think, things are somewhat not similar to this. Talking of the racetrack, I am really happy about it. I watched videos of it on YouTube and it didn’t come across that big to me. However, when I saw BIC in reality, I realised that it is indeed, a very big track. I really enjoyed riding here.

Which was the point in your life when you realised that motorsport is your real passion or you had it in you right since your childhood?

When I was young, my father used to do ice races on bikes in Germany. And that was the time when I too wanted to do the same. I used to watch the road races on television and I had the luck that the motorcycle club in my city had small pocket bikes. We did the training there and performed for our first race in Germany. I really think that it was luck that I had the chance to ride smaller capacity bikes and then yeah, always more!

Which is your most memorable challenge till date and why?

The biggest challenge was when I was the wildcard in Moto2 World Championship. I did this in 2012 and it was a great thing as I never thought I will get to ride in a world championship. The Qatar Federation gave me this chance and I did this race in Germany. So, in that way, it was a big chance for me. Also, I did an endurance race in Qatar with Anthony West and Nasser Al Malki and we won it. It was a world endurance race and it felt really great to be on top with the other guys. This was also a big thing for me.

Tell us about the difficulties that you had to face in your career and how much did your parents support you in your endeavours? 

I always had all the support I needed from my parents and the only challenge that I ever faced was that of financing my races. I was always fighting for myself and on the racetrack, you have to face fierce competition. On the contrary, as a man, these things are quite normal. In the beginning, I had the luck and fortunately, I found some sponsors who helped me a lot. On days when they are not there with me, I get stuck. I am really happy that I had these sponsors with me but now it’s difficult in Germany. As a sport, motorcycling is good in my country but due to the use of more cars than motorcycles, the bikes are no longer in that much use as they were earlier. At the moment, I don’t know what I can do exactly because, in Germany, there is a championship but it is really expensive to ride there. So, let’s see what happens!

How is the motorsport scenario in Germany different from that in India and why?

The scenario is better in Germany due to the market. The market is bigger there while in India, the market is primarily for smaller capacity bikes. The reason for this is that the roads are better there and hence, the bigger capacity bikes find a greater success in Germany in comparison to India.

According to you, what is the future of motorsport in India and what can be the role of RACR in it?

I think it is really good to see such kind of a school here and they are doing a very good job. I know this because, in Germany we have one or two training schools like RACR who do similar stuff. So, I am really impressed with the work from them. I think it is a good thing to bring the guys here at the racetrack as on the racetrack with the bikes, it is not that dangerous when compared to roads. And with the market here in India continuously growing, I think it is a really good thing.

How RACR is different from rest of the training academies, in your opinion?

The only difference I see is that they don’t have that many riders. In Germany or Europe, they have around 150 riders in the training academies. Also, in Germany, we have almost 10 racetracks while I think in India, there are three tracks. The number of students in RACR is around 30 to 40, so in that way, it is really good. I think the RACR guys are doing a great job as the students are happy and I really think they will come here again.  

About RACR:

RACR was started by Rajini Krishnan, one of India's most prolific professional motorcycle racers. He is the first Indian winner of an international road racing event, with his victory at the Losail Asian Road Racing Championship in Qatar in 2013. Rajini is the current Malaysian Super Bike Champion (1000 cc -2015, open class).

Rajini is actively involved in professional motorcycle racing here in India and overseas. It has been his dream to start a motorcycle riding and competitive racing training academy. The reason is twofold, to help riders develop their inherent potential and two, to be able to give back something to this sport that has made him what he is.

The Rajini Academy of Competitive Racing (RACR) was formed in 2015. The vision of the academy is to help riders hone their skills, whether on the road, or blaze international tracks in the superbike category. RACR conducts rider’s school for all categories of riders; commuters, touring, riders who do track days or racers.

Some exceptionally talented Indian and foreign riders are instructors at the academy. Training comprises of classroom sessions and on track practice in 3 circuits- Madras Motor Race Track, MMRT, in Chennai, KARI Motor Speedway in Coimbatore and the Buddh International Circuit, BIC, in Greater Noida.