Hilton Hincks, Irish national Superbike and Supersport champion
You're leading the Irish Superbike championships this year - what bikes are you riding? For the 2003 Season I'm riding Honda machinery in both championships - a Fireblade for the Superbike and a CBR600RR for the Supersport 600cc. The "Blade" is a full Superbike spec machine, churning out 190-plus bhp and it's really a joy to ride. The 600 is the latest CBR600 and, without doubt, is the best "off the shelf" bike I ever rode.
How did you get involved in the sport? Like many of today's riders I started in schoolboy Motocross and went on to ride both Grasstrack and Supermoto. I had a really successful few years in both, winning some Irish championships along the way. In 1995 I was offered a ride in the Irish Short Circuit championships with Team Powersport Racing - I was hooked.
What attracted you to superbike racing? After campaigning - literally riding and competing - on a 250cc against the larger four-stroke machines for a few years, there was only one way to go for the team. When Honda came along with a great package last year it wasn't so difficult to make the decision. The racing itself is top notch - it's certainly very fast and exciting for a domestic championship.
Your first machine? My first bike was via Santa - an Italjet 50cc.
Do you drive a car? Yes, a VW Golf - it does the job.
Do you ride a bike on the road? I don't get much of a chance to be honest but when I do I like the Honda Africa Twin. It's a very well put together package and copes brilliantly with Irish roads.
How much do you spend on gear? Luckily I have a sponsorship package with a few clothing companies - that keeps me covered!
Ever had an accident on the bike? Thankfully never on public roads but I couldn't even begin to count the times I've been off on the track. Nothing too serious though.
Is road racing a dangerous sport? This is a very contentious issue in Irish racing circles. Neither my sponsors nor I want to race on closed public roads but we don't object to those who do. It's their call. It's just a pity that we don't see some of the big road racing names trying the Short Circuit scene a little more often. I think we could open their eyes.
Is there a biking heritage in your family? Not really, but both my Mum and Dad, Tony and Mary, actually raced stock cars and both were Irish champions.
More people than ever are now taking to the road on two wheels. Why do you think this is? There's no question that "biking" comes with a great sense of freedom and there's no doubt that our buoyant economy has lead to the born-again biker who can spend plenty on the very latest bikes and gear. I also believe that bikers, trained well at a young age, invariably go on to make the best car drivers later on in life.
What's the special bond which links bikers closer than motorists? No doubt it's the fact that they put more effort into their passion - and, I suppose, the fact that the rest of society sees them as outsiders.
Your long-term ambition? I have unfinished business in British Superbikes and, after winning recently at Mondello, I'm definitely going back for a tilt at the British title next season. After that who knows - win the Lotto! ... -