Leon Camier in Suzuka 8 Hour Motorcycle Race

Leon Camier Wins British Supersport Championship

19-year-old Leon Camier from Ashford, Kent was crowned the British Supersport Champion at the weekend at the final round of the series at Brands Hatch Circuit, Kent on October 9, 2005. In front of a massive 25,000 strong crowd Camier rode a strong race knowing that he needed just to finish.

Having been dominant for the majority of the 2005 season, gaining seven-podium positions, including four race wins the youngster certainly meant business from the start. The Padgetts Honda Rider set numerous lap records and inspired a number of people in the UK and abroad with his smooth riding style.

A former 125 British Champion at 15, Camier has certainly progressed through the ranks and has now achieved another goal in his ladder and a step forward at his objective of being World Champion. Being the youngest rider in the fierce Supersport Class he certainly had to have his wits about him, contending against riders who have competed at World and GP status.

After a start line incident Camier was forced back into 10th position but got his head down and worked his way through to sixth. A consistent season has seen the talented rider gain the British Crown and head into 2006 feeling strong and confident.

Plans have not been confirmed yet as to where Camier will be riding in 2006 but a decision should be made and announced in the next month. He is actively looking into personal sponsorship for the 2006 season and carrying the number ‘1’ plate should boost his prospects.

A delighted Camier said "It’s been a fantastic season for me and I’m so glad to have gained the title. It’s certainly taken a lot of hard work and dedication, I’ve had some great people helping and supporting me and would like to thank them all for standing by me. I’ll be writing a personal dedication on my website to thank all those involved. My main thanks goes to my Mum and Dad for backing me throughout my racing career and I now feel I am beginning to repay them for everything they have done for me and also the full Padgetts team for having the faith in me this season. It’s a very fierce class and it could have gone anyway all season as the quality of riders is at such a high level. I’ll be deciding my plans for next year fairly shortly I hope and whatever happens I’ll be looking forward to it."

Leon will be attending the NEC Show on various days and will be hoping to announce his 2006 plans soon.

18-year-old Ashford based rider Leon Camier returned from the tough Endurance race in Japan yesterday having successfully completed the Suzuka Eight-Hour Race and with his team-mate Naoki Matsudo they gained an impressive 15th place finish from 70 qualified teams. Riding for Moriwaki Honda the pairing were a strong force to be reckoned with, qualifying in 10th position on the grid the two were set for a strong result.

In the pre race testing temperatures soared to a huge 40oC with track temperatures hitting 60oC over the course of the week. Camier had to adjust himself to the excessive heat and also the time differences. He was only 0.04 of a second off the qualifying time of World Superbike Star Chris Vermeulen proving that he can certainly run amongst the best riders in the World.

Typically during the race the heavens opened and in the third hour the rain was coming down extremely heavy on the Japanese Circuit. Whilst lying in third position overall Camier touched the wet white line which saw him slide off into the gravel. Fortunately he was able to pick up the Honda and carry on back to the pits to repair the damage. The team dropped down to 46th position before clambering their way back through the field to gain a very creditable 15th place.

Commenting Camier said ‘It’s one of the best experiences of my racing career so far and something I will not forget. I was given a fantastic opportunity and I am extremely grateful for this chance. I met some incredible people out there who gained my respect and admiration. I must specially thank the whole Moriwaki Team, Midori the Team Manager was a fantastic help and encouraged me throughout the week and couldn’t have done enough for me. I felt extremely bad for crashing out and losing the opportunity of a podium finish, it was my first time that I had ridden a thousand in the rain as well as trying to dice with slower riders, I was just caught out.

The team could not have been more professional, more helpful or more informative than what they were. I’m so happy that I got the chance to ride with them and would like to think that they might invite me back next year. Physically I felt fine throughout the race although I was suffering with pain in my feet. I have learnt so much from the whole trip and hope I can rely what I have learnt in Japan back into my racing in the UK for the rest of the season.’

Camier next outing will be at Silverstone British Superbike meeting (21st August) where he will be hoping to extend his lead in the British Supersport Championship.

Note: For informational use only. All material and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2008. All rights reserved. Read the Terms and Conditions. See the webBikeWorld® Site Info page.