Legend l by Tina Edward Gunawardhana l 19 Jun 2021     - 297

The Speed King


Motor racing legend and clean sweep winner of the Indian Grand Prix in 1972 and 1973, daredevil Rider Fricky Khan helped put sri lanka on the racing map

Compiled by Tina Edward Gunawardhana Photographs: Courtesy of  Hussein Yusef

Seyed Alimiya Farook, fondly known as Fricky Khan was a legend in the Sri Lankan motor racing circles. He hailed from a Muslim family which traces its roots to India. The family had as its patriarch Bapu Alamiya, a successful businessman who owned Lucky Industries, a pioneer in the booming textile industry at the time. Fricky was born on September 18th 1948 during a time when Ceylon was in the heady embrace of a newly declared independence.

Fricky had an independent or rebellious streak. Family lore states that Fricky ran away from home in his early teenage years.  He became a stowaway and travelled to England on board a Merchant Navy ship. Salacious stories abound of his escapades in England, but none of them confirmed. Deported back to Ceylon at the age of 17, Fricky developed a thrill for  racing which he realised coursed through his veins.

Fricky took to the track  much against his parent’s wishes. Fricky was determined that he would ride his way to the forefront of racing in Sri Lanka in a very short time. A feat which he achieved with relative ease.

Enthralled  by motor racing and fuelled by a gung ho attitude, Fricky ventured into the sport with fervor and passion. It is alleged that the daredevil in him made him take his father’s car sans permission on the night before his 18th birthday and the following day enter a “clubman class” race which he won very convincingly.

Soon realization dawned on Fricky that his passion lay in motorcycle racing and within a short space of time he became known on the Sri Lankan racing circuit as the “Daredevil” of the race track.

Fricky brought glamour to the already fashionable sport and at times it was just the name of Khan that brought crowds to watch the “bike wizard” at work.  In 1972 he won the Asia Grand Prix after entering the race on his Yamaha 250cc. That same year he entered the 250cc, 350cc, unlimited and Grand Prix races all on his 250cc bike competing against many bigger, slightly more sophisticated bikes, all of which he won. His racing fame hit a peak in 1973 when at the All-India Meet he won 4 events on the Sholavaram  track in magnificent style.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Tina Edward Gunawardhana is the Deputy Editor of Hi!! Magazine. She writes on a variety of topics which include travel, fashion, lifestyle, cuisine and personalities. She is also a journalist for the Daily Mirror Life. An intrepid traveller, Tina likes to show readers the world through her eyes and experiences. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - tinajourno or email her at tinajourno@gmail.com

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