08.05.02
by: Alex
EXPN.com

Ronnie "Kung Fu" Faisst has made his way into the homes of freestyle fans all over the world through the "Crusty" video series, and is one of the most talented (and one of the nicest) freestylers in the world. A veteran of the big freestyle competitions, Ronnie is hoping that 2002 and 2003 will finally garner him a medal. While he has his competitive goals, Ronnie's passion is in riding itself. Being able make a living riding freestyle motocross is his most important achievement. I caught up with Ronnie as he was training for the upcoming X Games in California for this weeks "10 Q".

Where did the name "Kung Fu Faisst" come from?

It came from this guy named Brian that I was friends with. Waaaay back in the day I didn't have enough tricks to do a whole run, so I would actually get off my bike and do kung fu. At the first gravity games I pulled Kris Rouke off his bike and started doing that with him, and it won a silver medal. After that people just loved it and the name kinda stuck.

You are really into martial arts, which really entails discipline. Does the discipline of martial arts help you with your riding?

I started martial arts when I was 5 and I didn't start riding until I was 8. It really helps me control my breathing, I know how to stretch and work out before a run. A lot of tricks actually remind me of martial arts moves and I have always tried to incorporate that into my riding. I really helps me physically and it helps me focus a lot.

You have a tattoo or two, which is also one of the defining things about your image. How important is your look, and your look on your bike to you when you ride?

It is really important to me. My body is covered in Asian art. It isn't just tattoos, but it is a style that I have always had respect for and loved. At the X Games, the moto guys seem to be the big tattoo guys but to me it is really a very personal form of expression. People may cast a lot of assumptions when they see someone with a lot of tattoos, but mine reflect ways that I feel and things that I love and respect. Defining who you are I think helps anyone gain confidence. People might associate tattoos with a negative image but to me they are all things that to me reflect very personal and positive motivation.

The Kung Fu master says his tatoos "...reflect very personal and positive motivation."

You are in all 3 disciplines at the X Games. You are a big contest veteran now, is that a lot of pressure?

Brian (Deegan) and I ride every night. I missed the first two years of X to injury, and I have been in every Gravity Games. It was so important to me to focus and get into X. I worked really hard and luckily I got into all 3. I know the competition is really tough out there; guys are doing back flips and all kinds of amazing things. Being in all 3 disciplines at X means a lot to me as an accomplishment in itself, and I really just want to go out and do as good as I can, and hopefully I will win a medal, but most important is just to ride well, have fun and not get injured.

You are pretty tall. Is being tall limiting in any way, like in getting yourself over the bars?

It can be, it just really comes down to focus and control. I can do a huge Shaolin, Cordova and I can get my legs way out on either side of the bike, but I really trained and focused on that. I think being tall can make your tricks look a lot bigger but it is a double edge sword. We only have a few seconds to pull a trick, and being really tall adds a little bit of time to your maneuvers. I think it is an asset though and I try to look as extended as I can.

Ronnie busts out a nice Cordova.

What are your goals for X?

I have a good variety of tricks; I just need a few more big big tricks. The "Rock Solid", I need a better Superman and I want to work up to a "Kiss of Death". I really like the "Dead Body", but again, being tall makes it hard to get really extended is such a small period of time. Drake has told me you need every second of time in the air to pull that trick. I am practicing them, and if I get a few gnarlier tricks I think I will have a really good run.

You have been to Australia, which is producing some pretty hot talent. What is it like riding down there?

Australia is awesome. Kinnaird, Luke, those guys are awesome. When we did the Crusty tour, we sold out 15,000 tickets at the arena down there. I have never performed in front of that many people that were just totally off the hook for freestyle. I mean they are serious fans down there. They love it, it gets us all pumped up and it is just a great time. I love it down there.

What is your favorite trick?

Man, I have a lot of tricks that I like. A "whipped out double can indy", "look back hart attacks", "lazy boy". Lazy boys might not be the gnarliest looking trick, but it is a cool trick to do. I like those tricks cause they just feel really cool when you pull them.

You have been in a lot of videos like the Crusty series. Is being in videos important to your career?

It is so important. I think videos really put freestyle where it is today. At an event people see you for a total of about four minutes. Most of my fans are from videos and seeing the Crusty videos. Kids come up to me all the time and say how they play this one part of a certain video over and over and over. Videos were really the sort of grass roots movement that put freestyle on the map with people talking about it. I went to Peru and Japan, places I would have never been if I didn't ride a dirt bike and got to go there and film a video. Fans love them and they help you learn too which is super valuable.

What advice would you give to a new rider starting in freestyle?

Be yourself and do what you love. I have had my share of bad events and bad races. It is really easy to get discouraged, but the only way to get anywhere is to have a bit of confidence. When I started I was so intimidated by Hart and Deegan. Man, I would see Hart do a double grab and I was like, Man, I'll never be able to do that. I just practiced and practiced and I can do it now. And, now I know those guys and they are so cool. Another thing is video tape yourself, that helps so much. I see the things I do wrong, and next time I try doing like grab tricks I'll know I need to get my feet together, and being able to go back and actually see yourself progress is important. Tell Alex who you want her next 10 questions to be with my e mailing her at alex@freestylemtx.com.

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