There have been a few questions asked behind some of the items that appear in Leon’s helmet design. Below is a brief explanation on the theories behind some of the items on his new lids.

Number ‘2’ is a number Leon has used throughout his racing career and the number he used when he took his first Championship win back in the Grasstrack days. It is a number he has carried forward into his road racing and has only gone a few seasons running a different number. In 2000 and 2001 Leon raced with the number 24 winning the 125 Championship in 2001 using 24. In his first year in the British Supersport class in 2004 Leon has to use number 17 as ‘2’ was already taken. After winning the British Supersport Championship in 2005, Honda insisted Leon ran the number ‘1’ plate for the 06 season but returned to number ‘2’ when he joined the British Superbike Championship with Bike Animal in 2007.

Jewson have been a long term sponsor of Leon since 2004 and Leon explains their involvement, “Jewson are Britain’s leading Builders Merchant.  They have been my personal sponsor for five years and have stuck with me through the good and bad times. There have been times when it would have been difficult for me to carry on racing without their support.  They share my philosophy of always trying to improve and be better than the competition, so we work well together and I would like to thank them again for their continued support with myself and now the Airwaves Yamaha team. They have been a crucial factor on me still racing when time’s have been hard with sponsors and also in 2007 when I was injured. It’s a great honour and privilege that they wanted to carry on supporting me and hope I can get the results they deserve as a thank you for all their support over the years.”
 
On the top or side of Leon’s lid, depending on which one you are looking at. He has three pictures, two dogs and a baby wearing a nappy with the letter ‘B’ on. Leon explains, ‘The dogs are my two dogs that I’ve lost over the years, Rossi and Boomer, it’s just a little tribute to them. The Baby ‘B’ is for my friend Carlie, the daughter of Nigel from Jewson. She had Baby Brandon in October and he was born at 25 weeks, he was born on Halloween but was due on Valentine’s Day. He spent the first three months of his life in intensive care but fought against all the odds and is now back home with his family and making good progress. He is an inspiration to remember to always keep fighting and never give up.” Also scattered around the lid are pictures of whales, Leon said “I can’t really explain this one really, I just like them and always have so thought I’d get it put on my helmet!”

This year Leon is wearing Shoei helmets and Sales Director at Feridax, Steve Clifford, explains why they came up with a deal for Leon in 2009.

“Having supported some of the best riders at all levels of motorcycle racing in the UK, we have been very impressed with Leon ’s progress and knew he would be a force to be reckoned with this season.
 
When we had the opportunity to discuss the 2009 season with Leon and his management, we agreed to work together and supply Leon with the fabulous Shoei X-Spirit along with full support and servicing ay every round of British Super Bikes.
 
We know that Leon and his association with the Airwaves Yamaha team can continue the fantastic success that we have enjoyed with Kiyonari and Shakey Byrne, winning the championship for the last three years wearing Shoei.
 
In order to make Leon’s helmets even more personal we have worked with Mick at Rage designs to come up with several different unique concepts one of which should go to a Replica later in the season.
 
We wish Leon the very best for the remainder of the year and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

On the visor the two main stickers are Respro (www.respro.com), a new sponsor Leon has picked up this season, they provide a number of trick items for all types of bike sport. Netvisibility have worked with Leon since 2004 building his official website www.leoncamier.com. On the sides are the Airwaves stickers that Leon and James are both required to wear on their visors. Also there are some pictures of small bicycles, these are Monty’s (www.monty.es), trick bicycles that Leon has learnt some new skills from (crashing mainly!).

If you have any further questions about Leon that you would like answered then please e-mail carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk

To see pictures of the designs please click here http://www.leoncamier.co.uk/gallery/?album=2&gallery=33