11th within the opening Sure Sidecar race of TT 2017, twice winner of the Susan Jenness Trophy, leading French driver Estelle Leblond is the next competitor to take part in Road Racing News, Sidecar equivalent of the popular ten questions challenge.
Holding alongside Melanie Farnier start number 17 for the Sure Sidecar encounters at TT 2018, her answers to the series of questions, are as follows:
Q1: Favourite Roads Meet?
“Obviously, the TT.”
Q2: Favourite Racing Engine?
“The one I know best, the Suzuki GSX-R engine, primarily for it’s reliability.”
Q3: Best roads moment thus far?
“I must say that the first Sidecar encounter at Chimay in 2017, battling again Dan Knight/Matt Rostron provided me with one of my favourite racing memories.”
Q4: Out of the current roads meets, is their one event in particular where you would like to see Sidecars compete?
“The Ulster GP, without any hesitation.”
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Q5: Most respected fellow driver?
“My female passenger (Melanie Farnier), of course!! And for not been chauvinistic, I’ve also great admiration for Remy Guignard, top person and a very talented driver.”
Q6: Three Wheeling Hero?
“To many to choose from, hard to answer.”
Q7: What’s the best part about competing on the roads?
“The challenges you encounter, for example I like the paradox which is growing lap after lap at the TT. The fact I’m doing physically something a little bit extreme, plus the fact you have to be serene and self-composed, as I’m rarely so, all at once, provides a great challenge.”
Q8: Three words to describe sidecar racing?
“Confidence, passion and speed.”
Q9: In your opinion, who is the greatest Sidecar TT racer of all time?
“With complete objectivity, of course, my Daddy (Francois Leblond).”
Q10: Pole position or fastest lap?
“Fastest lap”
Words by Stevie Rial, quotes courtesy of Francois Beauchamps