Drive RSA sits down with Rikki Brest

Rikki Brest, a fan favourite at this year’s Top Gear Festival in Durban, chats to Drive RSA about Top Gear, driving, men and their cars and who would win in a grudge race between her fellow festival presenters.

Highlight of the Top Gear festival?

Definitely meeting the Top Gear family, and seeing how passionate they all are about what they do!

What are your thoughts on Durban after the festival?

Beautiful weather and such enthusiastic crowds, the people are so responsive and supportive it’s incredible.

 Funniest moment during the festival?

When I lost my camera man and landed up doing a link with no visuals in the middle of nowhere.

Tiff Needell is a legend in his own right, what was it like working with him?

Working with Tiff was an amazing experience. He is the most energetic man who is always smiling and has the best sense of humour. It was truly an honour and a pleasure.

Who would win in a race between yourself, Tiff, Sasha Martinengo and Gugu Zulu?

I would like to say me because I think I’d be really good at racing – but I have to say Tiff….I think that’s a given.

Did you get a chance to spend much time with Jeremy, James and Richard? We hear they party hard?

I did, mostly Jeremy because I was seated next to him for most of the dinners, he is awesome! He doesn’t stop talking and says things like it is. He is a warm person and I was surprised that he has time and interest in other people.

Some say you got the Stig to say his first words? True or false?

True, I have super powers like that 😉 haha

Did you get your drivers on the first attempt?

No *hide* I was too nervous and parallel parked into a pole (laughs).

What was your first car? Dream car?

First car was an Opel Corsa, dream car after this weekend would be a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Motoring is often seen as a male dominated area, what sparked your interest in motoring?

I have always loved speed and bikes, and then I was asked to present for a drifting show on Super Sport and I started loving drifting, so I think it all goes hand in hand.

Sabine Schmitz is another motoring talent who was present during the festival; did she give you any inside advice, racing or otherwise?

She is definitely a racing legend. To be honest I didn’t chat to her about racing though, but she tried to teach me how to swear in German.

 A stereo type you can’t stand about female drivers?

That we can’t drive… I am a very good driver, I’ve never had an accident, and I was able to learn how to doughnuts in about 30 minutes (although in the stunt show I had to pretend I couldn’t do it properly).

In your opinion, which city in SA has the best and worst drivers?

Cape Town has the slowest drivers, Durban you lucky if you make it from one place to the next alive, JHB the taxis are really bad but in general I think the best are in JHB – maybe that’s because I’m used to living here though.

We hear not only are you a talented presenter but a drummer? Could you tell us a little about your band?

I am – I have been playing drums for 14 years and I teach from my studio. I am in an all-girl drums and percussion band called Chix with Stix as well as a rock band called Splinter Town.

How is your account with the SAPS? Any speeding fines?

One :/ for like R175 or something. The way I drive I’m surprised there aren’t more!

Can you judge a guy’s personality based on his car?

In a way yes, you can see the guys who think they are cool and that girls will drop at their feet just because they drive an expensive car – it’s not impressive. Then there are the ones that have a true love for that car and it suits their personality, be it a fast car, or an off road 4×4 or something – that’s better, its more real.

Rikki has a TV series coming out end of August called Clifton Shores, she is also a radio DJ on 91.9 RockFM, and runs a blog where people can follow her on www.zalebs.co.za.

For more info check out Rikki’s sites below:

www.rikkibrest.com
https://twitter.com/#!/RikkiBrest
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rikki-Brest/116203311842780
http://www.youtube.com/user/rikkibrest?feature=results_main