Amber Waves of Speed NAME: Amber Ciappi HEIGHT: 5’4” AGE: 28
	While visiting Arizona my attention was brought to Amber and Joe Ciappi of Psykotic-cykles (http://www.Psykoticcykles.com coming soon). As I get spare moments I stop by bike shops to hop on a Busa and to keep up on the latest shop talk. As I was involved with the helpful staff of USA Motorsports (http://www.usamotorsports.com) I took advantage of the moment to speak about True Rider Magazine. Being an owner of two Busa’s you can imagine how excited I was to learn about Amber and her attempt to break the land speed record. After a few calls and some e-mails we came up with a Q&A. Amber has an interesting challenge ahead of her, which I have no doubt she will master with elegance and grace. Watch out Two- club Amber Ciappi is looking for membership. Enough of my pipes let’s kick a gear and catch up with Amber.
	TRM: Where do you live? AMBER:  I live in Surprise, AZ.  It's a suburb on the West side of Phoenix. TRM: How old were you when you first got into riding and what got you interested in it? AMBER: My first ride that really did it was when I was about 7 years old.  My dad took me for a ride on his Harley on the freeway for the first time.  I remember thinking "This is the coolest feeling in the world". TRM: What type of motorcycle do you ride on a regular? AMBER: 2002 Suzuki GSX-R 750....and I LOVE it!! TRM: Is there any other bike that you want to? AMBER: The MV Augusta F4 Senna edition....mmmmmmm....sexy!!!  Too bad when I sit on it, I can only tip-toe on one foot!! TRM: Do you belong to any motorcycle clubs? If so which ones? AMBER: No clubs right now.  I'm really not all that crazy about someone else telling me when & where to ride. TRM: Have you participated in any other special events? AMBER: A little drag racing.  Nothing for competition, though, just for fun.  I'm always up for a ride for charity! TRM: What made you decide to break the land speed record? AMBER: Well, I don't have the record.....yet.  I was actually given this opportunity by the owner of the bike & founder of Team Jornic (http://www. jornic.com).  He was actually a customer at my other job & came into work one day & told me all about it.  How could I say no to a chance like that?  I told him I was all for it!  Just to be able to say, "I've been 200+ mph......" and have a record to back it up.  It's pretty crazy. TRM: What is the current record? Is that held by a man or a woman? AMBER: It's about 205 mph for a woman.  The overall record (in the class we're competing in) is held by Wayne Pollack, I believe, & it's about 258mph.....THAT'S the one I want!!!  Forget about going for just the women's record, I want the big one!  I'd actually be really happy to even get somewhat close to that one.  Those guys are SERIOUS veterans in this event & I have the utmost respect for them because of it.  I'm the new kid on the team.  It's like I'm the little kid playing basketball, and one day I get to compete with Michael Jordan.  It's pretty surreal. TRM: What type of bike was used to set the current land speed record? AMBER: That bike is also a Suzuki Hyabusa. TRM: Is this your first attempt at the record? AMBER: Yes, and I can't wait!!  Our team is not backed by any dealership, large shop, or manufacturer.  We're all hard-working Joe-schmoe's who happened to be using our own money.  Well, ok, mostly Bryan's money!!  We all have to let our jobs know about these events to plan out vacation days, save up money to get there, and all the fun stuff.  We are very ordinary people---we're the underdogs! TRM: Do you hold any other records? AMBER: No other records.  But my son DID give me the "World's Greatest Mom" certificate, if that counts (haha!). TRM: When do you plan to go for the record? AMBER: March 25th & 26th, just a few days before my birthday, we're heading off to Goliad, TX to the Texas Mile.  It's an airplane runway.  The longer event is this fall at Bonneville Salt Flats.  They have a 3 mile course and a 5 mile course. TRM: How did you prepare yourself for the attempt at the land speed record? AMBER: I've been killing myself at the gym, that's for sure!!  Watching what I eat, take vitamins, drink lots of water, and avoid stress like it's the plague!!  I ride my own bike as much as I can, while the race bike is being fine-tuned.  When we get it dialed in, we're going to head down to the drag strip & make a few practice launches & quick runs to get familiar with how she's handling & all that.  It's a LOT of power & I completely respect that.  I think that's one of the reasons this team is gonna make it. TRM: Can you give us a brief description of the bike you will be using to break the record… make, model, and year? AMBER: I'ts a 2002 Suzuki Hyabusa that has been bored to 1363 cc & turbo charged.  We've dyno'd it @ 500+ hp and 300+ ft/lb of torque......and still going.  This bike is actually Bryan's own personal bike.  He doesn't have more than one....this thing is still street-legal!!  He's a big, bald guy so his license plate says "BALD".....we're debating on whether to leave it on for the run, or not, just for pictures..... TRM: Why this type of bike? AMBER: Bryan already had this bike.  It's by far one of the most powerful production bikes straight out of the crate.  There's about a million different upgrades already available for it.  Quite a few of the parts on this bike are fully custom-made.  This thing is just.....NASTY! TRM: Without giving any trade secrets how did you prep the bike to beat the record? AMBER: Ed, our mechanic, had put in HUNDREDS of hours working on this beast.  He's been getting it dialed in with the help of our tuner, Mike, who has full access to a KILLER dyno, which enables them to make instant adjustments & do the work that needs to be done right there on the spot. TRM: What will you depend on the most to beat the record your skill or the performance of the bike? AMBER: Definitely both, because without one, having the other doesn't matter. TRM: What will you be thinking of as you try to break the record? AMBER: "Keep going FASTER!!  I'm not gonna let all the hard work everyone put into this project be for nothing....I'm gonna get this thing!  They're probably going to have to pry me off this thing when I get back to the trailer" TRM: If you break the record what is your next goal? AMBER: To break my own record on the next run!  Actually, to go to every event possible, finances permitting! TRM: Do you have any advice for women interested in getting into riding? AMBER: Yeah, I've got TONS of advice! Do NOT get a bike because you think your boyfriend/husband wants you to.  Get a bike because every time you get on a bike to ride, you get the biggest, dumbest looking grin on your face & can't take it off no matter what.  Listen to experienced riders when they tell stories of stupid things they did or didn't do---so you'll know what mistakes NOT to make.  And ladies, PLEASE, above all, if you are starting off, start off SMALL...... no matter what anyone else thinks or says.  I've seen too many people, in general, start off on 750 & higher.  Today's 600's are MORE than enough for even VERY experienced riders to handle.  And also keep in mind, ladies (especially you single sisters), if a guy comes up to you & starts talking about how he needs a bigger bike because his new 600 "just doesn't have enough power"-------he's lying!  I don't care how good he thinks he is, if he had the ability to use even MOST of the power on that thing, you'd see him on Speed Channel making money riding pro.   Overall, ride for the love of it. TRM: If someone wanted to come out and support your achievement how would they do that? AMBER: Be positive!  I don't want ANYONE being worried or concerned, because that would take my mind off of where it should be.  Tell jokes & just be happy!  We're going to be down there to have fun, and hopefully break a record in the process of it.  Act stupid & make me laugh....that would be the best thing to do. TRM:  When you are not breaking records what are you doing? AMBER: Working, watching my son do stunts on his rollerblades, ride my bike, & watch Jerry Springer!!  I admit it, I record his show.  I'm actually a very predictable person & don't go out very often at all, except to ride. TRM: Are you involoved with any other motor sports? Is that involvement recreational or competitive? AMBER: When we can, we borrow ATVs & dirt bikes from friends & go riding.  I honestly have the most fun when I find a mud-hole.  I usually act like I'm stuck until someone gets behind me then let it loose!!  When I'm done riding, you usually can't even tell what color my gear is.  I'm pretty much like a little kid when it comes to that!  It's all for fun. TRM: What is your preferred motor sport? AMBER: I just love riding my bike & getting out of the city & away from the people-in-cars-who-don't-see-you-and-try-to-run-you-off-the-road.  What I love watching?  Pro drag racing!!  Cars, bikes, you name it!!  Go Ricky Gadson!!  I'm a bit of a fan....I got to meet him in Daytona one year during Bike Week.  He was in the Kawasaki tent outside the track.  At the time I was about 24 & the only female my age with a poster of him on my closet door.  I got a picture with him & I have the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face.  It's the same grin I get when I ride.  I was smiling so big, you can't even see my eyes.  You'd think they were actually closed if you didin't know any better!  Just a little bit of a fan...... TRM: Is there any other information you would like to give us to put in the article about you? AMBER: I'd just like to give a HUGE thank you to all the men and women in our military.  They are putting their lives on the line for our freedom & they don't get enough credit for that.  It's because of them, people are able to read this article & speak their mind & own a gun & even drive a car.  I love them all & pray for all of them over seas to come home safely!  Go USA!! TRM: What would you like to see in a magazine for women motorcycle riders? AMBER: Real women.  No weekend warriors.  None who ride just for the attention.  Women who make a difference.  Women like my girl, Chelsea.   She works a ton of hours & spends a lot of time out of town on business, yet STILL puts more miles on her bike than most guys I've seen.  She doesn't do it for the attention, but for the thrill of the ride......and the dream that someday she'll get close enough to Nicky Hayden to molest him!  I'd love to see things like.....gear made for women, BY women, diamond enlayed triple clamps, even great riding gloves with a little room at the tips for my girlier-girls with long fingernails........hey, a girl can dream, right?  Oh, and maybe a centerfold poster of a hot guy with a full set of leathers...half- on....standing next to a female "featured rider's" bike......that's the ticket!