Q&A: Leon Camier.
Camier joins Airwaves Ducati from Honda, with whom he finished eighth during his debut 2007 season in the BS♓B championship - and despite sustaining a serious injury at Cadwell Park. Leon will ride alongside Shane Byrne in 2008.
Q:
How did you get the nickname 'Shafter'?
Leon Camier:
Never you mind! No seriously, it all came about when Casey Stoner and Chaz Davies used to ride in the British 12🐎5 series; it was originally Cam-Shaft from Camier wh🐲ich, over time, turned into Shafter.
Q:
What car do you drive?

Camier joins Airwaves Ducati from Honda, with wh🅠om he finished eighth during his debut 2007 season in the BSB championship - and despite sustaining a serious injury at Cadwell Park. Leon will ride alonꦓgside Shane Byrne in 2008.
Q:
How did you get the nickname 'Shafter'?
Leon Camier:
Never you mind! No seriously, it all came about when Casey Stoner and Chaz Davies used to ride in the British 125 series; it was originally Cam-Shaft fr🦂om Camier which, over time, turned into Shafter.
Q:
What car do you drive?
Leon Camier:
A Honda at the mo but I am getting rid of it in December aꦑnd I'm not sure what I'll get a🌺fter that...
Q:
Do you have any role models, either on or off🌠 the track?
Leon Camier:
There are lots of peopleไ who I look up to like Lance Armstrong, Casey Stoner, Troy Bayliss; there is always something to be learnt from people like that.
Q:
Who is your favourite rider of all time?
Leon Camier:
Troy Bayliss
Q:
What do you🅘 think your biggest challenge will be this sea﷽son?
Leon Camier:
It's all a whole ne🌞w challenge for me as everything will be new, the team, the bike and as yet I haven't ridden the Superbike at Donington or Brands Indy due to my injury this season. There's so many, but winning the championship is obviously the goal.
Q:
Do you think your recent injury 🧔will hinder you either physically or me🧸ntally?
Leon Camier:
I'm hoping if any💃thing it will make me stronger. It's the biggest injﷺury I've ever sustained but it's definitely made me really miss the racing and more eager to be back out on a bike.
Q:
Now that you have joined the Wrigley's Airwaves Ducati Team, what are your aims and targets foജr the forth coming season ༺and the future?
Leon Camier:
To fit as many✱ pieces of chewing gum in my mouth at once! No seriously, my goal is to win but obviously there are so many factors so I will take it one step at a time. First I need to get fully fit with my leg, then I need to learn everything around me and start moving things forward. I'd like to be in a strong position at the start of the season to get some good early results.
Q:
How long 🦹have you had the habit of walking around race tracks the evening before a race? And to what ex▨tent does this aid you in the race?
Leon Camier:
How do you know about that to start with?! I do 🌸it just to clear my head and get in a good mi𒆙nd set for the next day.
Q:
Do you have any other superstitions?
Leon Camier:
I try not to have any.
Q:
What ♔advice d꧑o you have for kids whose ambition is to become a pro rider?
Leon Camier:
It's not just about what you do on the track, you have to pu𓃲t in just as much effort off the track. I do think that if you work hard and put your mind to what you want to achieve, you can achieve it. My racing career has all happened pretty quickly and at 21 I'm now going to be racing for one of the most established teams in the paddock, it's all co♋me though hard work and dedication.
Q:
Do you have a message for your fans?
Leon Camier:
I have fans, wahooo! Well💯 I would like to take the opportunity to thank the hundreds of people that got in touch after my accident. It meant a lot to me reading some of their comments and really nice knowing that I have so much support, I really appreciate that. I hope they will all continue to support me in 2008 and the Airwaves Ducati squad.
Q:
Have you spo꧑ken to Shakey since it was announced that you are going to be team mates next ye𒐪ar?
Leon Camier:
No he lives abroad I can't afford the phone call! Ac🍨tually I haven't really had the chance but I am looking forward to getting to k𒊎now him and the rest of the Airwaves Ducati team over the next year or so.

Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come andღ go. He is at th𓆏e forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.