TEAM PROFILES

Throughout the 2010 season we will be introducing you to Team Camier; the people behind the scenes who play a part in helping Leon get on with his day job – racing.

We kick off with Leon’s manager.

Andy Walker, photo courtesy of Kelly White

Full name:

Andy Walker

Nickname: Storka

Home town: Bournemouth, Wimborne

Job title: Motorsport manager (Leon Camier’s Manager)

How did you first get into the sport? My dad (Tony Walker) had me sat on his race bikes and trials bikes from the age of 2. I then started riding a small mini bike with a sidecar at 3 years old.

How did you first get to know Leon?  Well, we were at Silverstone for a British Championship race and there was a new guy, Leon, I think he was only 12. I remember going into one of the tight corners on the out lap of qualifying and seeing Leon already in the gravel. I couldn’t stop laughing in my helmet. After this Leon’s mum Katie came up to me and asked if her boy could have a go on my Gas Gas (my pit bike). I said yeah why not, and that’s when I met Leon!

How did you begin to work with Leon?  You could say me and superbikes didn’t really get on. I had a massive attraction to the gravel (sorry for all the damage John Jamerson!!), so I gave up racing in 2003. After I stopped, Leon called and asked if I could drive an old lorry to Brands as he couldn’t get there on his own. So I drove the lorry, lived in it all weekend, got frost bite, and I have been helping ever since.

How has your relationship developed since?  I am now Leon’s manager. We have built a strong business relationship which is very serious at times, but we also continue to have great fun riding MX, trials, mountain biking etc. I believe it’s important for me as a manager to be able to have this serious and fun side working with Leon; it makes the business relationship stronger and easier.

Describe what it is you do for Leon at the race track and away from it also. I basically run Leon Camier as a business; I do the book keeping, negotiate his contracts etc. But I keep Leon informed of every decision as ultimately he is the boss! I also keep him organised, as some times it can be touch-and-go whether he will actually get to the race track! Don’t ask about us missing flights to Japan!

Away from the track my main role is to liaise with Leon’s sponsors. I also need to keep an eye on his financial situation and try and stop him buying new push bikes! The work away from the track is very time consuming, but I enjoy every minute and I don’t mind putting in 110% into his career.

What would you say has been the key to your success so far?  I think a lot of it has been from me using the business knowledge I’ve gained outside of racing (I have had my own businesses since I left school), and combining it with my racing knowledge and contacts, relating it all specifically to Leon’s career. Plus, Leon is a very switched on guy.

It’s a constant learning curve for me and Leon. Especially now Leon is in WSB. It’s been great working with people like Colin Wright and Darrell Healey. Colin has a very unique management style. Some may think it’s harsh but it’s to the point and gets the job done. This is exactly how I like to work. It may not buy you any friends, but I’ve got loads of them already anyway! I also learnt a lot from working with Darrell; he has so much experience in the bike and business world.

I’m always striving to add another dimension to what I can offer Leon, his teams and his sponsors. For instance, I am flat out at the moment taking lessons in Italian.

What has been your greatest achievement / proudest moment?  Leon dominating the British Superbike Championship with 19 wins was quite cool! But my greatest achievement will be when Leon becomes a World Champion!

On a personal level, it’s got to be beating Leon Camier, Chaz Davies and Casey Stoner at Rockingham! They were all in the gravel but I was on the podium!

What’s next for you?  I want to expand my rider portfolio and help some more young UK talent get to the World Championships. It’s all about making the right decisions. One wrong decision and it can delay your progress by years. I want to help steer future Champions in the right direction. There are a couple very talented riders in the British Supersport and Superbike Championships that I will be keen to see how they do this year.

What tips would you give people looking to get into a similar career?  I wouldn’t give any tips. It’s taken me years to get into this position!