It is unlikely, but for the very few of you that may not know, Suzi
Perry is the ‘television’ face of MotoGP. You may have also seen
Suzi during the 2004 Olympics coverage by the BBC and presenting the
recent Superstars series. As well as motorbikes Suzi is also interested
in the latest ‘street-smart’ technology, so look out for her in The
Gadget Show on Channel 5.
We caught up with Suzi during a very busy international season to ask
her about her love of motorbikes and to find out more about her.
Q: The youngest Imps are only five years old and ride 50cc bikes – Tell us all about your first biking experiences?
A: Well I wish I could say that I was 5; in fact I was probably only
just losing the stabilisers on my push bike at that age! Actually I was
quite a late starter. I had a boyfriend with a Vespa and my first
experiences on two wheels were flitting from beach to beach in Spain. I
took my test in my mid twenties on a Kawasaki 500 and haven’t looked
back since.
Q: An Imp will spend most of his or her free time training and
performing on their motorcycle. Tell us what you love most about your
bike(s) and biking?
A: For me, it’s the independence and feeling of being free and alone
with my thoughts. I don’t get to spend much time on my own so I love
the space a bike gives you. No-one really knows where you are and you
don’t have to be contactable. Of course there are the obvious loves;
faster commuting times, the rush from speed and the like, but I adore
feeling as though I am a part of my bike. As for watching motorcycle
racing, it is quite simply, the most exciting spectator sport on the
planet!
Q: An Imps performance requires split second timing and extraordinary
degrees of discipline – How do you think MotoGP riders compare?
A: I flew with the Red Arrows a few years ago with Foggy and Troy
Corser and I was utterly blown away by their precision. In turn they
were mesmerised by bike racers! Racers have to be inch perfect and have
complete trust in one another when overtaking; I don’t have to tell you
it’s an exhilarating sport! There are times when fairings clash and
paint swaps bikes. That is obviously great to watch as a fan, but one
inch too close and both riders have to take the blows. Making something
look easy and effortless always takes an enormous amount of dedication
and skill, that’s why you guys are amazing.
Q: The Imps, notable for their dramatic red tunics, like MotoGP teams
look spectacular – What is it about ‘biking’ that prompts such an
impressive show?
A: I think there are many people who ride or have ridden bikes who can
appreciate just how difficult your displays or racing can be. They see
the knees scraping the floor with the bike cranked over to one side
with maybe another rider overtaking at the same time and it leaves them
agog! Biking is a visual splendour, man and machine in perfect
harmony. Then of course there are the highsides, the lowsides and
the clashes. Now we have some great personalities in MotoGP, they add
to the psychological drama. Fans have their favourites and the
atmosphere is outstanding. Humans controlling 250bhp with very little
protection at 200mph, it makes F1 look like a knitting competition!
Q: As you know, The Imps is a non-profit-making charity that educates
young people through the discipline required of a motorcycle team –
Tell us why you think this approach works so well?
A: Racing is all about discipline, there is no question. But not just
racing, many aspects of life require this skill, it can never be
overlooked. To be successful and at the top of your game, you need
certain elements of control and constraint.
Q: The Imps began in the early seventies. Might you have joined if you knew about them when you were growing up?
A: Perhaps my life would have been very different if I had been an Imp!
I was booted out of the brownies and I think the Imps would have been a
good move for me, I found the whole brown owl thing very girly and I
was such a tom boy! Maybe I could have been the first female world
champion instead of the first female bike racing presenter, now that
would have been cool!
Q: The Imps have performed all around the world during the last few
years as you have travelled extensively with your television career –
Tell us about your favourite destination?
A: I am a huge fan of Australia and South Africa. Oz gives you the
freedom to pretty much experience anything! From surfing, diving, and
snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to just driving around the
incredible coast line. Nothing seems
to be an issue down under, the atmosphere is relaxed and people work to
live rather than the other way around! Cape Town is simply gorgeous,
the scenery, the wildlife, the food and Chapmans Peak is one of my
favourite rides.
Q: There is talk of a desert crossing and we already have international
events booked for next year – What does the future hold for you?
A: Well I don’t have a crystal ball in front of me but I know I will be
covering MotoGP for the rest of the season, writing for the Daily
Telegraphs’ Motoring Section and hopefully filming more Gadget Shows
for the winter. I will also be organising a fun run next year to raise
money for Purple Dreams (a charity for children’s dreams) and will
squeeze in a road trip across the States and a week in Spain for my
dad’s 65th birthday! Life can’t all be work! I hope to see you perform
at some point; that would be terrific! Good luck.
You can find out more about what Suzi is up to by visiting: suziperry.com
|
