Cardomain Interview: Leona Chin Lyweoi

By Steve Neill

Steve Neill

After waking up and brushing myself off this morning (liquor late at night can really mess a person up, both visually and mentally) I stumbled out of bed and turned on my computer, and sat down. As I fiddled with the on/off button, I couldn’t help but go task by task in my head through what it was that I had to do today. Sleep was not on my list, and nor was relaxing. I had an interview to do, and this was it. A good friend of mine had dropped me an e-mail. Her name? Leona Chin. Her profession? Well you tell me… is she a model… or is she something more? Continue reading to find out!

I met Leona by accident. On a social networking site, I had become a fan of a lovable brown and somewhat confused Japanese character that Drift enthusiasts have come to know and love as Domo Kun. At first, she was somewhat friendly, trying to up my love for the little fellow. But when I started uploading pictures to the site, she started getting more and more temperamental and waging war against me! Before I knew it, I was in neck deep with a girl I knew nothing about, with the same love as me: Domo. I added her as a contact, and it wasn’t until I started getting her notifications that I realized this girl wasn’t just into Domo…  she was into something far more serious.

The first thing I noticed was the Carbon GT Wing. Just sitting… arched a little bit forward for optimum aerodynamics. I noticed Leona in the background too, a really, really skimpy outfit outlining her very pleasing figure. At first I thought “Oh! She’s a pit crew babe!”…

My assumption quickly backfired however, when in the next photo she put on the fire retardant mask, strapped herself into her 180SX RPS13, and smiled. From then on, in her album, all I saw was a white and orange 180SX drifting. Not just drifting, but going more sideways then any of the other cars she was facing. I found some videos, looked her up on the net, and before I knew it, I had discovered that this small pretty girl I had met over the net was indeed one of Malaysia’s Rising Drift Superstars. Not only that, but she was a girl who had her game down.

Note to self:

1. Girls don’t need balls… we need balls to be able to perform insane tasks as men. Girl’s don’t have them, therefore, everything that they do that is insane is even more insane, because they’re pushing themselves beyond the limits of what most men know and trust.

2. Leona Chin is a fighter. She drifts hardcore. Last video I saw? She was chilling with Keiichi Tsuchiya. And not just for an autograph either. For a TV Interview… as he told her how to be a better drifter. And she asked him questions about her technique. She’s serious.

3. She’s very very funny, and very unique, one of the few girls I’m proud to call my friend knowing that she doesn’t try to be anyone else…  she is someone who could easily be classified as a role model in the female racing community.

Okay, now that I’ve officially wet myself thinking and trying to explain why she is the best, I will let her do the talking. Without further ado, I introduce you to Leona Chin!

So Leona, how long have you been drifting for?

I’ve been into motorsports 3 years already, and it has been a very interesting and exciting part of my life.

What kind of things do you enjoy doing for fun?

I love drifting… and I also love racing on the track.

Why did you choose motorsports for a profession?

Motorsports is so well known around the whole world and as a female, it’s very rare to see a girl in this field. I feel that motorsports is part of my life and it’s hard to take it away from me, I love racing very much..

So Leona, where are you from? I’ve been hearing you rip the RPS13 slidewayz for fun!

I’m from the part of earth they call Malaysia. which is just above Singapore! Yea I love that slideways feeling!

And why not choose to become a model… instead of a drifter? I’m sure everyone is dying to know… I mean, I’m sure you could have pulled it off.

I never thought of being a model, looking at my figure… I think I’m a bit on the chubby side.. probably guys who see me will puke Hahaha! I love to be the one in the car drifting instead.. it feels and looks much cooler. In CHINESE we call it YENG!

Do cars turn you on? Do you enjoy speed?

Not so much…  Maybe if I was to see a fully Chromed Lamborghini or Ferrari then yes.

As for speed… I love the feeling of the Speed… *winks*

What do you look for in a car and… a guy?

A car that gives good handling, great response and plenty of torque… Same goes to guys too *big grin on her face*

I’m officially in love. Can I have your phone number?

Hahaha do you think it’s that easy to get my number?… lol… You better get in line haha!

In summary, this girl is awesome. A good friend, a great person, an amazing driver, and someone who’s going to go very far. This is my friend Leona Chin, and I would be disappointed to call her anything less.

And no, she is not a model. She’s a real race car driver. Someone who could likely embarrass you and all the people you know at the track.

Best of luck to her in the future, and with her possibly working with Keiichi, I am SURE she will blow us all away, and we’ll hear from her again!