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Leila is racing her R6 in theBemsee Rookie 600
class.
"I aim to have an enjoyable year racing
and to come out of the end of the season having
progressed as a rider. I know that I have a
lot to learn but I have always loved a challenge.
A lot of people have already helped me a great
deal and I would like to repay them by coming
out of each race with a big smile on my face,
having done the best that I can."
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I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia so I guess
my upbringing has not been entirely conventional from
the start! After spending 7 years in boarding school
in England I went to Spain on holiday and didn’t
come back for four years, when I decided it was time
to go to University. Although I had loved motorbikes
since I was a young child, it was only whilst in Bristol
that I got involved with bikers, took and passed my
test. I spent most summers touring France and Spain
on the bike. Last summer I spent a month touring those
parts of Europe I hadn’t done before I qualified
as a Primary School teacher and went back to Spain
where I worked in an international school for 10 years.
I have always been a great lover of sports and, as
well as teaching senior sports, I enjoy snowboarding,
have tried and loved kitesurfing and surfing. I also
loved travelling and was fortunate enough to spend
2 months travelling around the world last winter.
I returned to the UK two years ago in order to take
my CELTA qualification and have been teaching English
to adults since. I am one of 4 managesr of Nutterssoutheast,
biker website, and love to be out with friends at
the weekends exploring the English countryside. I
have always loved bike racing but never really thought
about being a participant instead of a spectator,
until a friend introduced me to the Feisty team. I
feel that at last I am able to have a go at something
that has always been a dream.
My mother and one of my brothers think that I am
quite mad but are still being quite supportive. My
mum has stated that she wouldn’t be able to
watch me race though as she would probably have a
heart attack. My other brother is planning to climb
Mount Everest in the near future so his is totally
behind my racing as he is a bit of an adventurer,
or nutcase, like me! My non-biking friends also think
I must be mad but they are behind me 100% as are the
members of the Nutters, so I hope to have a good cheering
team to help me along.
How long have you been biking?
16 years ago I spent nearly a year as a pillion passenger
and then decided enough was enough and I had to get
my licence. Did a 4 day intensive course in Bristol
and since then I have never been without a bike. I
started on a CB125, then Gpz305, Gpz600, GSX600F,
R6 (stolen!) a Thundercat and finally my present R6
which is my babe!
What inspired you to start
racing? A racing friend, Lee Cross, encouraged
me to get in touch with the Feisty team leaders. Once
I had chatted to them there was no going back!
What are your ambitions?
To have a go and do my best. To enjoy myself and know
that by the end of the year I have progressed and
done the best that I could. Plus to have a big smile
on my face after each race!
Who do you look up to in
racing? Valentino Rossi is one of my favourites
but I used to love to watch Mick Doohan and Alex Criville
in action when they were at the height of the GP races.
What do you do in your
spare time? Mainly walking my dog and getting
out for rides at the weekends with the bike group
I belong to. Sometimes the gym but depends how enthusiastic
I’m feeling at the time!
Who's your favourite racing
hunk? I do have my own personal hunk but will
keep that one to myself!
I would like to do Lee’s bike justice and
to go out and enjoy myself like he has advised me.
Also want to thank Dave and some of the Nutters who
are being so supportive.
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