Leona Chin is a trailblazer in motorsports, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry with her talent and passion. From drifting to competing in endurance races and gymkhana events, she has proven herself both on the track and as a stunt driver, entrepreneur and driving instructor. In an interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Leona shares her journey from her early love for cars to becoming a celebrated athlete. She shares the challenges she faced, pivotal career moments and her drive to inspire others.
Leona Chin, a Malaysian professional motorsports athlete and a certified advanced driving instructor from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents started her journey in motorsports due to her passion for cars and drifting. “This led me to compete in various race series, including endurance races, circuit racing and gymkhana events. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with major automotive brands, perform stunt driving in commercials and films, and even train new drivers,” says the talented athlete. “Apart from racing, I also co-founded a company focused on motorsports event organising, driver training, race team management and social media marketing in the automotive space.”
“Growing up, I was always fascinated by cars and racing, even though it wasn’t a typical interest for most girls. My mum is supportive but cautious about my passion for motorsports,” says Leona excitedly. “I started drifting when I met a group of drifters who taught me the basics. That experience shaped my career path and gave me the confidence to pursue racing seriously. The challenges I faced early on – breaking into a male-dominated sport, proving myself and securing sponsorships taught me resilience and determination.”
One of the biggest turning points was when Leona participated in her first major endurance race. “The race tested not only my driving skills but also my physical and mental endurance. That experience proved to me that I could compete at a high level and gave me the confidence to push forward,” she says. “Another major moment was when I was involved in a YouTube video posing as an inexperienced driver and surprising my instructors with my skills which gained international attention. That opens doors for more opportunities in stunt driving, commercials, brand collaborations and international motor sporting events.”
A major challenge for Leona was proving herself as a female driver in a male-dominated industry. “Early in my career, people underestimated me or assumed I was just there for publicity so I let my driving speak for itself,” says Leona. “I trained hard, competed in as many races as possible and focused on improving my skills. Another challenge is securing sponsorships as motorsports is an expensive industry. I had to learn how to market myself, build relationships with brands and create value beyond just racing.”
Leona’s love for racing and cars is what keeps her going. “Every race, every event, every training session is an opportunity to improve and push my limits. I also find inspiration in the support from my fans, my team and fellow races. Seeing younger drivers, especially women, getting into motorsports because they were inspired by my journey is another huge motivator.”
Leona believes in discipline, perseverance and continued learning. “Motorsports is unpredictable—one mistake can cost you a race. So, I always approach everything with a mindset of learning and improving. Integrity is also important to me; I believe in working hard and earning my achievements rather than taking shortcuts.”
“Success isn’t just about winning races; it’s about growth, learning and making an impact. If I can continue improving my skills, inspire others to chase their dreams and create a sustainable career doing what I love, that is success to me,” she says happily.
“I would love to compete in more international races, especially endurance events like the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia or the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, 8-hour endurance races. Another dream is to develop a proper motorsports academy in Malaysia to train and mentor young driving talents,” shares Leona enthusiastically.
“Start small, be patient, never stop learning. Motorsports is not just about talent – it’s about discipline, networking and perseverance. Find mentors, practice as much as you can, and be willing to take risks. Also, learn about the business side of racing – sponsorships, branding and marketing are just as important as driving skills.”
