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My job in racing... Senior Technician in TVS Racing

Motorsport.com met R Prakash, who is the Senior Technician for the TVS Racing factory team that takes part in the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship.

R Prakash

Vivek Phadnis

He has been with TVS Racing for a decade. He was also in charge of KP Aravind's bike during the Dakar Rally.

My job is:
My job is to take care of the engines. I have to take the engine and the chassis. At the factory, I have to ensure that all parts of the bike have been assembled properly and according to specifications. I have four mechanics under me and I have to supervise what they do. Once the design comes to me, I have to ensure that the bike comes together exactly that way. I am also involved in the development of the bikes. Once the bike is assembled or repair done, I have to give the go-ahead before it can be raced with.

What is your typical weekend programme?
The weekend gets very busy. We have to dismantle the engine fully and ensure all parts are in order. We have to service parts that need it.

On Thursday, the bikes are sent from the factory to the track but the real work starts on Friday. We take feedback from the riders after the practice session. Then, we begin work on the engine, chassis or handling of the bikes.

If there is a problem with any part, my team and I have to ensure that it is fixed and reassembled properly.

On Saturday and Sunday, it gets slightly hectic. After the races are over, the bikes are kept for scrutiny. We get the bikes back later in the afternoon. After that is when we start work on the bikes. Work may go on till very late in the night or the wee hours of the next day.

What is the most important part of your job?
It is to ensure that I give the riders the best possible bike so that they have complete confidence to go all out on the track.

Three tools essential for my job…
Being patient, rigorousness about the job at hand so that I give the best possible job to the riders. If something goes wrong with the bike, I will take it personally that I have not done my job well. So, I have to be very meticulous, have a keen eye and manage the team well.

People I am constantly in touch with…
Firstly, the engineers because I have to discuss with them and get the bike read. And obviously, it has to be the mechanics in my team.

When I’m away from motorsport…
On non-race weekends, I am usually watching movies or bike races on the television.

What is your hobby?
I do not have any hobbies. Motorsport is all that I care about.

What does motorsport mean to you?
I just love it and am thinking about it all the time. Personal life is secondary for me. It is racing all the time. I was never interested in competing. I just want to prepare the best bikes possible.

 

 

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