Resume

Michael Leon

leonback

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Michael graduated in 1996 from Dawson College, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technologies.  He is currently employed as a Technical Sales Representative for Cowper Inc. and specializes in pneumatic automation.  Michael married his long time girlfriend Jennifer in 2001.  He took most of the 2002 season off from racing to recover from serious back injuries.  During that time, Michael and Jennifer started a family with the arrival of daughter Jaimie.  In 2006 they became proud parents to their second daughter Jayden. 

Michael began roadracing in 1994.  After winning multiple amateur championships, he turned pro in 1998, winning the ASM Pro 600 Championship as well as being selected Pro Rookie of the Year. 

2001 was a big year.  With the help of sponsor Richard Italia and friend Eddy Brunet, Diablo Performance Racing was created which would become Canada’s largest privateer effort.  The team went on to win both the Parts Canada Pro 600 Championship with rider Steve Crevier and the Parts Canada Pro Superbike Championship with rider Francis Martin in 2005.

20070715_8921As the Diablo team came to an end, Michael switched his focus to the National Canadian Thunder twins class.  Riding a Buell he won his first National Race in Nova Scotia in 2006.  Again riding a Buell in 2007, Michael finished on the podium in 5 of 7 races, earned 1 pole position, set 1 new lap record and won at Mosport.  He finished a close second in the overall standings to Michael Taylor.  For 2008, Michael joined the new KTM factory team and helped develop the Superduke R with a best result of 2nd,  in Nova Scotia.

 

2009 brings an exciting new opportunity; to race a Ducati 1198s in the R.A.C.E Superseries!

Michael is also working, this season, as an instructor at the Turn2 ridng school at Calabogie.  For more information about the school please visit www.turn2.ca .

 

2009 R.A.C.E Superseries Round 5,  Shannonville Long Track,  August 14-15

  • Rd 4 Nelson: Liquid Thunder: 1st (new lap record 1:48.351 seconds), Heavyweight Sportsman: 1st (new lap record 1:47.598 seconds), Pro Superbike: 9th
  • Rd 5 Long Track: Liquid Thunder 1st (new lap record 54.972 seconds, Heavyweight Sportsman 1st (new lap record 54.474 seconds, Pro Superbike Crashed out of 4th
  • Rd 6 Pro Track: Liquid Thunder: Crashed out of 1st place in the rain (new lap record in heat race on Sat 1:08.586 seconds)

 

2008 Canadian Thunder Results

  • Rd 1 Calabogie 7th
  • Rd 2 Calgary 5th
  • Rd 3 Calgary 5th
  • Rd 4 Mosport 5th
  • Rd 5 Shubie 2nd
  • Rd 6 Shubie 9th
  • Rd 7 Shannonville 4th
  • OVERALL 6th

 

Career Acheivements/Highlights

  • 2007  2nd in CDN Thunder Champ.   Won Mosport RD 4
  • 2006 1 st in CDN Thunder RD 5 , Shubie.  Awarded Performance of the Race at Tremblant.
  • 2005 1st in RACE Thunder RD4.
  • 2004 10th in CDN 600 at final,  18th in AMA Formula Extreme  at Infinion Raceway.
  • 2003 14th in CDN Superbike Champ.
  • 2002 Jan, 2nd in 600 at Willow Springs 
  • 2001 Created Diablo Perf Racing, 8th place in CDN 600 Champ, 4th at Calgary, 5th at St Eustache, 5th at Shubie.
  • 2000 6th in 600 at St Eustache National
  • 1999 1st in 600 at St Eustache Regional
  • 1998 Pro ASM 600 Supersport Champion
  • Pro ASM  Rookie Pro of the Year
  • 1997 Am ASM 600 SS Champion
  • 1996 Am Race Lightweight Champion
  • 1995 Am ASM Lightweight Champion
  •  26 Race Wins      54 Podium Finishes