Adrenaline is Pfeiffer’s business
Yet bowled by the Lankan tuk-tuk rider
Chris Pfeiffer lives his dream. Stunt riding in his customary BMWF800R, a high-powered motorcycle developed and dedicated to his name, Pfeiffer at the age of 41 still looks much younger. He still preserves and treats fitness as a key composure to perform better than he last did. As in November 2009, Pfeiffer mesmerized many a Sri Lankan with his exotic yet precarious tricks - - moving up, down and sideways on his powerful machine bringing heart stops to anyone who sees him perform alive.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Times, Pfeiffer revealed interesting facts and developments in his career which took place after he last visited Sri Lanka almost two and a half years ago. Though he is heavily involved in performing right around the globe Pfeiffer disclosed that he has almost come to the stage of retirement which he may announce any time around. His last performance in a competition according to Pfeiffer’s own words took place in June 2010. Since then this world class stunt rider has pulled out of competitions due to differences with the Stunt Riding World Federation which is the global governing body of freestyle stunt riding.
“I last competed and won the German Open in June 2010 which is the biggest contest in Europe. Since then I decided not to ride in competitions for many reasons. Firstly I’m a bit tired at taking part in competitions as I find very little time in being creative in my style. I’ve been doing film projects and travelling around the world on various projects such as this in Sri Lanka all these time. The other problem is our organization, the Stunt Riding World Federation, is currently going through a bad period with regard to administration and the standard of holding quality competitions. We need to have a new administration very fast and we are looking forward for good administration who can organize our competitions in order. At the moment it’s not functioning,” Pfeiffer pointed out.
These assertions were further coupled with a little disappointment though stunt riding has been a focal part of his life. He was not sure of his future in the competitive arena.
“Who knows maybe I made my last appearance in June 2010 or maybe I’ll ride again very soon. As at the moment I don’t want to talk about retirement in a freestyle sport like mine. It’s all about expression, progression and being creative. This is more important than winning trophies. Competitions are good to build a name and image but it was never my biggest goal. Maybe I will retire from competing but I haven’t given it a thought,” he added.
Pfeiffer has been an important member of the world renowned Red Bull sporting fraternity which comes out with various sporting disciplines throughout the world with a rich list of world class performers, especially in motor racing. To date Pfeiffer has won numerous titles, including the World stunt Championship, the European Championship and many more under his belt while being very much creative in his subject. So far he has created 30 to 40 nerve wrecking tricks including his signature mover, the ‘CP180 turnaround’ where he turns around his bike 180 degrees while breaking the rear wheel. These records portray Pfeiffer’s vast experience in this killer sport which mainly includes none other than risk. His tricks and moves have already been adopted by many stunt riders in the world. “But it’s important to do variations when others imitate my tricks. I’m not the owner of these tricks, I’m just the creator. In the scene you get big respect for creating new things. If others feel like copying them I don’t have a problem with it but my advice to them is to be creative. Or else chances of making a big career is very much low.”
Though he was out from the active stage since 2010, Pfeiffer has failed to enjoy a freestyle life. He has been heavily involved in conducting riding shows every weekend and more importantly continuing with his usual practices. “I’m still pushing hard to be more competitive though I’m out of action from contests. My life didn’t change though I was out of competition but I don’t have that pressure anymore. If you want to be the best in the business you need to practice and practice hard. In that case I must consider Red Bull as my partner not my sponsor since a long time. Thanks to them I was able to come this far as a stunt rider and make a very good international career. They helped me to live my dream. I will continue to work with them,” he stressed.
Pfeiffer’s riding style and daredevil acts have inspired many youngsters from all parts of the world to take up stunt riding seriously. In 2009 while Pfeiffer was touring Sri Lanka for the first time he has been told of a group of youngsters who perform wheeling as a hobby. But he or the young group never had the opportunity to meet each other for real. He expressed his willingness to help anyone who wishes to learn more on stunt riding as a consultant or a coach but Pfeiffer said they should be at a certain level. He honestly admitted that he is not a good trainer for beginners but expressed his intensity to work with advanced riders and help them being innovative. As the local three-wheeler (tuk tuk) driver who managed to steal Pfeiffer’s attention after one of his shows in Colombo. “I’ve never met the local stunt riders earlier when I was in Sri Lanka but I met this guy who was rolling down in two wheels in a tuk tuk. It was really funny but very innovative. He came to me after my show near in Colombo and said ‘hey watch this’. And started riding in two wheels and I was very impressed by his talent. I asked him if he was interested in doing a video with me. But he was shy and we had to ask permission from his boss as he was just a driver working on pay. We did the shooting without any practice or rehearsals and it was a spontaneous video shooting. I don’t remember his name though but I only remember that he had a lot of Bob Marley stickers on his tuk tuk,” Pfeiffer said while revealing the development of a group of stunt riders from India where he was part in helping out develop their skills.
“I saw very good riders in India, like those who are in the ‘Ghost Riders’ who are an innovative team sponsored by Bajaj. I think I opened the door for them as I gave them chances to perform prior to my shows in India. They have done very well since I saw them first. I’m still in touch with them and helping them out. It’s very impressive; they have stepped up a lot. It’s good to see our sport is taking place all around the world. I’d like to see such a group from Sri Lanka too.”
Pfeiffer was in Sri Lanka on a week’s visit to perform his stunts in Jaffna for the first time and at two locations in Colombo yesterday. His second visit to Sri Lanka was too short due to his busy schedule around the world but he was resolute in making a private visit with his family someday to meet more people and travel around the country. But it will surely not be in a year or two.
“I will never stop riding, this is simply my thing. But at some point when I see that I’m not improving anymore I will stop. For me it’s very important to be in good shape and innovative. For the next few years I still have the motivation and when I lose that I will give the youngsters the place,” Pfeiffer concluded.
(See video on www.sundaytimes.lk)