Dirty Dozen with Andrew Appleton
Andrew Appleton is a World Team Longtrack winner, former European Grasstrack Champion and four-times British Champ who at 38 is still piling up the miles in his quest for glory so we thought he would add to his accolades and put him on our Dirty Dozen pedestal…
Feature Image courtesy of Nuno Laranjeira
Here is the interview…
Dirt Hub: Do you have a Pre-Race Playlist you listen too, and if so name a couple of tracks that are on it?
Andrew: I don’t have a Pre- Race playlist but I do listen to a lot of music, I like AC/DC, Guns & Roses and Kasabian.
DH: When was the last time you cried?
Andrew: I think it must have been at my wedding in October. Was a fantastic day and I cried a few times
DH: What is your favourite inspirational quote?
Andrew: Always remember your demons are just as hungry as your dreams, make sure you’re feeding the right ones.
Image courtesy of Nuno Laranjeira
DH: Do you have any weird suspicions or pre-race rituals?
Andrew: Yes. I always put my left glove on first. I always say see you in a minute to my wife before I put my helmet on. Always touch to check the fuel caps tight and the cut out is in before I get pushed off.
DH: What drives you most to get up in the morning and go training?
Andrew: I usually get up at 5am, Set up the workshop, then go for a swim by 6, then back to the workshop. When I’m swimming and think I’m tired and had enough, I always try to do five more lengths because I tell myself that other competitors would just give up and get out.
DH: If you didn’t race what sport would you play or take part in?
Andrew: Golf
DH: What is your biggest Phobia?
Andrew: I don’t really have any, I don’t like snakes
DH: Who is your biggest sporting idol and why?
Andrew: Simon Wigg. Growing up watching him and how professional he was, always trying to change the game technically with bike development.
DH: Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Andrew: Still racing in Europe at a high standard, having a good time with my family, continue to grow my engineering business and just being happy and healthy. That’s all you need.
DH: What is your all-time favourite movie?
Andrew: I haven’t got an all-time favourite, there’s so many, but my current favourites are Wolf of Wall Street and Lemans 66’
DH: Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Andrew: Hands down my dad. Without his help, I wouldn’t have been able to start or achieve what I have. He puts so much in behind the scenes to continue to help me I couldn’t ever thank him enough. Also Otto Lantenhammer, I’ve worked with him for over ten years now and the knowledge and guidance that he has passed on to me is something that you can’t buy. He’s like the Yoda of racing. What he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing. He calls me after every meeting and the first thing he says is ‘are you safe’ He is a legend.
DH: What is your philosophy on life?
Andrew: Don’t overthink it. If you got something on your mind that you want to do, just do it. Worrying about a problem will never fix it so think logically and knuckle down.
Image courtesy of Sandy Bemister
