After roughly 10 months of traveling America, Ryoko returns home too Athens. Word spreads quickly of her return. Many news outlets ask for a interview with her but she declines. But when a well known sports anchor with his own show ask for an interview she grants it. Sit down style too be boardcast live and in prime time. Too discuss many topics personal and professional.
Q: Thank you for taking time too sit down with me and agree too this interview Ms. Kenichi.
Ry: Oh you are quite welcome. My last interview was well.... nearly a year ago. So i'm a bit rusty.
Q: Well my first question too you is one you have most likely ask many times... Why DID you retire?
Ry: Like I stated in my award speech, I wish too see the world through my own eyes and not through a visor. But I also have Alex, my health, my family, friends and more money then I could ever spend. By the way, I said would retire from FULL TIME driving. I'm NOT retire from racing. There are still races I wish too at least try and win.
Q: What races would those be?
Ry: 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, a few others. I've done endurance races before so i'm not new too the environment.
Q: Is there any races you WISH you had won?
Ry: Darlington. I never won there in Tier 1 but in the minor leagues I did. It is hole in my resume and that annoys me.
Q: You once said that you'll never step foot into an open wheel car. Why is that?
Ry: Because they are death traps that is why. "Tradition" limits protection for a drivers head and such other stuff. I've gotten offers from open wheel teams and turned them down almost right off the bat. Yeah they handle like nothing else but not for me.
Q: What is your opinion of technology in racing?
Ry: I'm okay with it as long as it doesn't make the drivers job easier.
Q: In what way?
Ry: Driver aids like traction control, ABS, flappy paddle gearboxes. Being a racecar driver should be hard not easy. After I left Japan that next season the series I raced in put in flappy paddle gearboxes. Thank god I left at the right time.
Q: Okay. We have too take a commercial break but we will be back with racing super star Ryoko Kenichi.
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Q: And we are back with Ryoko Kenichi. So. Ms. Kenichi. You seem too be rather in good physical shape.
Ry: Yep. I've always taken good care of myself.
Q: From what I have gathered, you have never done pictures for magazines and stuff.
Ry: I let my talent speak for me. I don't need too expose myself too get attention. I have more humility then that. Message too any young girl out there.
Q: Your parents have you good values. Speaking of your parents. What did they think of you making racing a career?
Ry: Well yeah. When I turned 16 I moved too Japan. My father was on his death bed at the time. he told me too go after my dreams. I told him I already signed the contract. My mother too supported me in that choice.
Q: You were 16 going too live in the country you knew nothing about. Your father just passed away.
Ry: I was depressed for sure. I didn't know anyone in Japan. But my dad gave me a live line. He had a house built in Japan that him my mom stayed in for a time when he was stationed in Japan. It was payied for and had everything I needed. All I had too do was pay utilities and taxes.
Q: Your mother is from Japan, did she give any advice on the culture and how too act?
Ry: Yes. Japanese people are respectful bunch of people. I also speak Japanese fluently thanks too my mother. So I could communicate clearly. She gave me tips
Q: How did your parents meet?
Ry: Well..... my mother moved around a lot when she came too the US with her parents. My dad was on leave from the Army at the time. They met in my hometown of Athens in a fast food place. They will still young at the time.... 22 I think? Not really sure. Mom if you are watching this, text me please. She served him his meal they made eye contact. He came back the next day and asked for a date. Rest is history.
Q: How old where they when you were born?
Ry: 25. Got married at 24. They both told me that they wish they had waited a few more years but the outcome was me coming into their world and they were more then happy with the choices they made.
Q: Your dad was young when he past away then...
Ry: He was 41. He would be as old as my mother if he were here today.
Q: How long was your dad in the Army?
Ry: 21 years. Long enough too get a pension, helped pay for his school and gave him a career.
Q: We have too take another commercial break but we will be back with Ryoko Kenichi.
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Q: And we are back with racing champion Ryoko Kenichi. Many people know you from driving fast but what they may not know is that you are a mechanic and a cook. Explain.
Ry: Well. I have a cooking degree Culinary Institute of America and a Automotive Degree from Arizona State University. It is two of my favorite things too do. Cooking and working on cars.
Q: Explain how did you become interested in those things?
Ry: Well my dad loved too cook. He started out in the Army as a cook but obviously moved up. He taught me a variety of Army foods as well as some from mom and grandma. Most are Southern dishes because my dad loved that food... 'soul food.' My mom can cook too. Her Japanese food is always something I enjoyed eating. Like I said previously, she worked in a fast food place so she a education. With the mix of different cultures and styles of cooking I just feel in love with it.
Cars is something that kinda happened by accident. My mom had an old Ford Bronco that didn't run. One day I asked her if could snoop around in it. She okayed it and off I went. When she came too check on me I was covered in dirt and grease and I taken the wheels and suspension apart.
Q: Wait... without any prior experience you just toke it apart?
Ry: Yep. Off I went. I had everything labeled, I read the manual. I then put it back together and then she sold it. It still didn't run but..... yeah. *smile*
Q: Amazing Ms. Kenichi. You also are quite the athlete too as well.
Ry: Yeah I played hockey and basket ball. Tried out for the Arizona State Womens basket ball team. I also like that term 'athlete' as well.
Q: You consider yourself one?
Ry: Yep. More so then others out there. I think that is what gave me an advantage.... how ever small it was.
Q: So racecar drivers are athletes as well?
Ry: Some say professional golfers are. If they are then we are too. If they aren't then we aren't. So it depends really on who you ask.
Q: That is a rather open minded point of view.
Ry: Heart and Saki know that all too well.
Q: Time for us too pay the bills. We will be back with Ryoko Kenichi in our "Picture Association" segment.
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Q: And we are back with Ryoko Kenichi. It is time for our "Picture Association" segment. People know Ryoko well have sent of us pictures over the years they have known her.
Ry: *embarrassed* Oh god....
Q: Don't worry Ms. Kenichi. Nothing embarrassing about it. Here is our first picture.
*The picture shown is of Ryokos first car.*
Ry: It has been a long time since I've seen that.
Q: That is your first car isn't it? Tell us about it.
Ry: Well it is a 1995 Toyota Supra BRZ. But heavily customized. I will not go into details but it isn't normal. Has a American V8 under the hood with power adders like a Race Supercharger. Lots of other racing stuff added too it. I drove it in Japan for 5 years.
Q: Where is it now?
Ry: Still in Japan. Weiss drives it now. Car is over 30 years old now. Glad too see it still around.
Q: Here is our second picture.
*The picture shows Ryoko after her first win in Japan. She is crying while holding the winners trophy. Obviously happy but also sad*
Ry: I...... look at this picture once in a while.
Q: As the saying goes... "A picture says a 1000 words."
Ry: Yeah. This picture does.
Q: What did you feel at the time?
Ry: Well.... I was happy. But also sad. My dad wanted too be there. I was thinking of him mostly. My team knew it so they understood my emotions at the time. *sigh* I was mixed that day.
Q: We will change up the pace for you, here his number 3.
*The pictures show Weiss and Scharlachrot on the set of their show "Overdrive" with Ryoko with them. Talking about cars and all 3 drifting them through the test track Weiss and Scharlachrot use too test their cars.*
Ry: One of the most fun days I've ever had.
Q: How so?
Ry: All we did from sun up too sun down was drive around their test track. Even when we weren't filming we just drove different cars having fun. They had roughly 2 days of video footage when we were all done. We raced each other, did burnout contests and drift contests. We used American cars for the filming and our fun time. Check out their show too. Pretty good.
Q: Number 4 on deck here.
*Picture is of her and Alex at their engagement ceremony.*
Ry: Who gave you that?
Q: Your SO Ms. Kenichi.
Ry: He may work for the CIA now but he'll need protection from me.
Q: And your other friends did too.
Ry: Death isn't good enough for them.
Q: We will take another commercial break and be back with Ryoko Kenichi.
*During the break Ryoko sends Heart, Saki, Maori, Schar and Weiss a nasty text complete with F-bombs and such. They don't say sorry but are glad too make her embarrassed.*
Q: And we are back with Ryoko Kenichi. We know you are good cook, mechanic, athlete, and worlds biggest nerd?
Ry: Oh yes. I AM a nerd. Proud of it. Anime, Manga, figuring's, posters. You name it I have it.
Q: Really? Figure you'd be too old for that.
Ry: You are NEVER too old too be a nerd. Help me pass time during my travels.
Q: Audio books?
Ry: Yep. Physical copies too. Ran into a lot of nerds during my travels. Tokyo is full of places too nerd out.
Q: I see. Well I say your are very interesting person. More so now then anything other time in your life.
Ry: Well thank you.
Q: Ever have a thought of owning something? Like a race team?
Ry: Oh no. I enjoy racing, not running it.
Q: People have said you have the smarts too.
Ry: I too have heard the same. But I do not wish it. Their are people out there smarter then me. i'm just along for the ride.
Q: A deep question... is there anything in your life that if you could get one chance too do over. What would it be and would you?
Ry: Well........ there is one incident. Will not go into details but it was between me and Saki. I wish I had handled that differently. Though it did help her open up after word and made us better friends. Saki will admit too that she wished she handled it differently.
Q: Ms. Kenichi I can see why you are very popular. You are well spoken, intelligent, have a certain charisma. I think our live studio audience and those watching at home get too understand you more. One more question. Any other plans other then racing?
Ry: You will see. Nothing is set in stone.
*They shake hands*
Q: Thank you for your time and agreeing too this interview.
Ry: Oh you are welcome anytime. I had fun with this.
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