Damsel on the fast lane

BY now, most Malaysians will probably have heard of Leona Chin – a charismatic lass made famous for her drifting and racing skills by various media outlets and online videos.

Active involvement in motorsports for nearly a decade has earned the 30-year-old from Selangor the reputation as Malaysia’s top female professional driver.

After her latest feat of clinching the overall second place in the Clio Cup China Series 2016, The Borneo Post was taken for a quick ride through her illustrious career in an interview at her Mitsubishi roadshow in Kuching on Nov 19.

“It has been a great year for me – I have been racing all over China – in Zhuhai and Shanghai, to name a couple – as well as in other countries like Korea and Thailand,” said Leona known as ‘Girl Drifter’ on her official Facebook page.

She also jokingly said in time, she would try to shed that tag, preferring to be known as a motorsport athlete due to her participation in various motorsports events besides drifting.

Recalling her early days trying to break into the fast lane, Leona admitted it was no stroll in the park as motorsports was predominantly male-dominated.

She said male drivers would frequently look down on her, evidently thinking women were not up to driving competitively.

“Some people also say this is a career that does not have the trimmings of a money-spinner,” Leona added.

She did not let the negativities get to her but continued to chase her dreams of becoming a top female driving pro.

Among her achievements over the years are first place in the International Rally of Perlis (Class 5), first place in the Southern Thailand Gymkhana (Ladies Class) and second place in the Asia Series Caterham Motorsport Championship 2015.

She noted the several podium finishes under her belt had managed somewhat to change the perception of her male counterparts about women drivers.

“I’m also very happy to have been given the chance to collaborate with Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) since early this year,” enthused Leona, the main star in a number of Mitsubishi Triton Extra Hardcore Roadshows in several Malaysian states.

She revealed she started to become the ambassador for MMM during the release of a prank video titled ‘Sales Girl Drifts Customers in Pickup Truck’ which currently has more than 5.3 million hits on YouTube.

In the video, Leona was dressed as an innocent sales girl who, in the later part, brought unsuspecting customers for a ride that they would not easily forget.

“The main purpose of the video is to scare the hell out of guys with my drifting,” she said and admitted to be enjoying every second of the prank.

Hobby turned career

Growing up in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Leona’s interest in motorsports was kindled when she owned her first car, a Nissan 180SX – a classic backwheel-driven car, touted as one of the meanest drift cars in the world.

“I actually drove the 180SX to college and back home. That was when I met my ‘sifu’ who later also taught me how to go sideways and drift the car.”

The art of drifting soon manifested in her and what started as a hobby soon became a passion.

With an eye for online business which was relatively new at that time, Leona said she started selling items on the Internet and slowly equipped and upgraded her 180SX for drifting purposes.

Drifting, she admitted, is not a skill that could be learnt overnight. It took her almost a year to master most the techniques, which are more effective for different types of track and road condition.

Leona also said once she got the hang of making the car go sideways, an-all ladies team approached her to race in the Merdeka Endurance Race in Sepang – by joining the 12-hour and eight-hour races.

Personal Life

“I’m 30 years old and still single because of my busy schedule,” she revealed in jest.

She said she would often bring her mother along in her travels to experience the different environment outside Subang Jaya.

“However, most of the time, mum will be stuck at home as she needs to take care of the house and the grandchildren,” added Leona who is well-versed in English, Mandarin, Malay and Japanese.

She now owns Kuraz Motorsport Dot Com – an online shop for car parts and accessories.

Borneo Safari 2016

Before her last race in the Clio Cup China Series 2016, she took in the Borneo Safari 2016 in Sabah where she spent five nights in the deep jungles for an offroad adventure.

“It was the first time that I have joined the Borneo Safari. I’m really an urban girl. It was actually an eye-opening experience for me to be entering the jungles for the first time,” she said.

The idea of joining the Borneo Safari was mooted when she wanted to try other types of motorsports besides drifting, circuit racing, gymkhana and time attack.

“During the Safari, we went through a lot of obstacles – into ditches and up super steep hills,” she recalled.

At the end of the day, she admitted, the jungles were actually ‘very beautiful’ and while plodding through the jungle trails, they showed strong teamwork like all the other participants.

“Overall, it was a pretty interesting experience. At first, I thought I would regret it but now, I miss the jungles and will want to be back next year.”

Future plans

Finishing second overall in the Clio Cup China Series 2016 and becoming the first Malaysian female driver to achieve that will spur her on to achieve her dreams in motorsports.

“This (Clio Cup) is a good stepping stone. I hope next year I will be able to head towards GT racing and Le’ Mans type of races,” Leona enthused.