It amazes me whenever I hear people passionate about something. These people are hardworking. Mr Sandeep Ghimire, the winner of “The Nepal Racer Cup, 2022”, is an inspiration to many.

  1. Do you remember the first time you learned to bike?
  •  Not exactly, but I was studying not more than in Class 5.

 

  1. First, congratulations on winning the “Nepal Racer Cup, 2022”. Did failures lead to success, or the trophy was yours on the first attempt?
  • Thank you! Of course, it was not easy winning the title. I raced three races before. Nepal Road Racing Championship 2018, Nepal Talent Cup 2019, and Nepal Road Racing Championship 2019 before getting 1st podium in Nepal Racer Cup 2022 150cc - 180cc Category. So, I guess failures led me to succeed. 

 

  1. Could you tell me three things that made you stand out amongst all the racers?
  • There are so many things that you need to take into consideration. However, if I have to narrow it down to three, then I would say:
  •  Physical Fitness, I work out regularly. (TMS Racing Team, my official racing team where I’m a member, and my coach is an international racer.) Hard work and Discipline that I put into every race and practice session.

  1. What was on your mind before the race started and at the moment you won?
  • Alright! Even though I had been a part of a few race competitions and had reached the finals, I had never won the trophy. So, before the race, the only thing on my mind was to give my 100% and take the trophy home. When I crossed the finish line, it felt surreal that I was only thanking god and my team. My dream came true!

 

  1. How do you manage a full-time job and racing bikes?
  • We have practice sessions every Saturday, and I try not to miss any of them. I try to balance as much as possible, and I have to take leave from the office, especially if it is something important related to race.  

 

  1. What do you think about the lack of racing tracks and the scope of racers in Nepal?
  • Racing is one of the most popular and expensive sports in the world. Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme organized an FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in 1949.
     
  • . So Racing goes a long way ago. But in this case, Nepal is still very backward. Currently, sports like football and cricket are getting streamlined a bit. But the country should give a platform to every sport so that talents won’t get buried without being explored. Even India has 3 Race tracks that I know. So Nepal should at least provide us with one race track. 
     
  • The lack of racing tracks has led to the racing talents testing and racing on public roads and streets. It leads to road accidents. So this is a prime concern here to look after. However, nobody has focused on these things. There should be a platform to put those talents and passion to indulge their skills.

 

 

  1. Have you ever gotten into accidents? If yes, does it affect your confidence level?
  • Yes, I have gotten in one major accident, but because the other party was unaware of traffic rules and regulations. Drivers and riders are driving or riding just with the license they got from Government, but there are many other road rules and traffic regulations that they have to get updated with the time and situation. 
     
  • The accident didn’t affect my confidence level. Nevertheless, I have become more careful, and not to mention that there are people with no licensed driving that causes accidents. I am more alert on roads and streets especially.

 

  1. How do you feel when you are on the bike? 
  • When I was younger, riding a bike would make me happy and excited. But now, it is more like an escape from many things that makes me unhappy.

 

  1. Do you have any fascinating stories about the bike?
  • I was always into bikes since I can remember. I used to touch and climb on bikes and cycles. I would observe how my father rides the bike and how it works. He once jokingly told me to take the keys and ride the bike. Of course, I took it seriously, grabbed the keys, got on the bike and started the engine. Given my age and height, my legs couldn’t reach the ground from the seat. So, I used the technique of riding a bicycle where you put your foot on the pedals to climb up and get down the same way. From all the observations of how my father would ride, I had learned quite well, now that I think about it. My father was running after me, scared that I would fall. It was a fun day!