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Thamer Engeli is one of the best Freestyle Motocross
Riders in Switzerland as the case maybe Europe. His career
started with Motocross Racing in the late 80’s which
is a good basis for a perfect bike control. He placed
2nd in the Swiss Masters 80ccm class. 2001 he changed
from Racing to Freestyle. We talked with Thamer about
his Life – FMX. So lay back and read the interview
…
Thamer Engeli in Geneva (left) and Frauenfeld | Tsunami
(right) |
Okay Thamer, let's start with some basics. Tell my something
about your place of birth and your current residence.
Well Toby, I was born on 13th of April 1983 and
lived since then in Bussnang (but not longer...)
First
time you ever rode a MX bike and when did you start FMX?
With 3 years of age, I started with a jtaljet 50
ccm around the house and then went for Racing. Since I was
Racing the Minibikes I did some small tricks ... 2000 I
finished with Racing and did only FMX.
Why did you change from Motocross to Freestyle Motocross?
I have changed to FMX because this is the Life
and not Motocross because we like to ride our Bikes and
the Racers must ride their Bikes ... that is what I would
say.
Big Tsunami @ FMX Demo in Frauenfeld |
Who did inspire you to do FMX?
Well Mike Metzger and Brian Deegan.
(Mike Metzger is called the Godfather of Freestyle Motocross.
Informations about him under www.mikemetzger.com.
Infos about Brian Deegan under www.metalmulisha.com)
How important is FMX for you in your life?
It is the Life ... true, every time you smell the
2 stroke smoke you get high for it.
Tell me
something about the actual FMX scene in Switzerland ...
how many pro-riders and how many hobby-riders are there?
There are five or six, but me and my friends who
can kick a lot of asses, we do work so we cant say Pro’s
to us.
Thamer Engeli took part @ the X-Fighters Contest in
Spain 2002 |
Has Switzerland a kind FMX Federation or something
like that?
Not realy, they think they have... we got like
a Licence to get the injurance.
What would you change to give the FMX sport in Switzerland
a better perspective?
Probably Motorsports got a bad perspectice in Switzerland,
so I would change this problem first.
Is there a combination between the lifestyle
of other extremsports (Skateboard, BMX) and FMX?
Yes thats true ... but I wish the FMX- Competitons
would have Parks with less Ramps, a lot of Transfers and
Dirt- Hits to go Creative.
Hart Attack @ his home compound in Andelfingen/Switzerland |
Is it important for you to ride with your buddies and is
there a good cohesion between the Swiss riders?
Yeah the FMX Mekka is in Andelfingen, we started
there with some other riders,new members came threw and
we lost also some (better so...)
What sport
would do you when FMX not exists?
BMX Dirt-Jump its almost the same, Ride for Fun
and chill with friends.
Which value have Contests
for you?
FMX, FMX, FMX ... every day ... in my dreams.
Thamer pulling a nice Supercan out of the Ramp in
Frauenfeld |
What are your goals for the future and have you ever thought
about the life after FMX?
No injuries and ride like ever. Ride till you die!
Did
you ever had a bad crash and did you break something?
2000 during a Demo in Switzerland ... I came toooo
short and broke my handankle.
Favorite location to ride?
Our Freestyle Motocross compound in Andelfingen/Switzerland.
Does music push you to go bigger? What kind of
music do you prefer?
Sure! AC/DC, Judas Priest, Ozzy, Snoop Dogg,
a tribe called quest …
Left: Flintstone (running beside the Bike) Right:
Hart Attack Scorpion! |
What is more important for you - the sport or the
industry?
What a question ... the Sport.
What do think about the current situation of the
global and the european FMX scene?
It goes on and on !!!
Do you know some Links to interesting Websites that
support the FMX sport?
Yeah, probably www.Forty8.de
the finest FMX Website ever! Any other comments
or do you want to say something to your fellows, sponsors
& fans?
Thanks to my parents for make this sport true
and KTM Switzerland!
Last words … please give the kids some basic
tips, how they could start with FMX easily, if they want
to?
Play with the Bike, go smooth on it and enjoy
it!
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