James Hillier and Bournemouth Kawasaki to contest 2012 Isle of Man TT
Monday 23 January 2012
TT
Leading short circuit and road race performer James Hillier will contest the 2012 Isle of Man TT races, fuelled by Monster Energy, leading the attack for the Bournemouth Pr1mo Kawasaki team.
It will be the 5th consecutive year the 26-year-old has competed on the Mountain course, and the winner of the prestigious Newcomers Trophy in 2008 has now firmly established himself as one of the leading racers at the TT.
One of the new breed of youngsters racing on both the roads and the short circuits, Hillier has a busy schedule at this year’s TT Races and will line up in all six solo races having also secured a Lightweight TT machine.
He was running 5th in the opening stages of the 2011 Dainese Superbike race and is establishing himself as a potential TT winner. He will be hoping to improve upon his best finish of 8th and a fastest lap of 127.661mph, which makes him the 17th fastest rider in TT history.
He made his name in the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup, and enjoyed success in the British Supersport Championship before moving on, firstly to the Metzeler National Superstock Championship and then, in 2011, to the British Superbike Evo Championship, where he finished 8th overall, a solid debut year in the Superbike division.
On the roads he made his TT debut in 2008 for the Martin Bullock Racing team, taking 17th and 19th in the Supersport races, lapping at over 119mph and picking up two silver replicas and the Newcomers Trophy for his efforts.
His road racing credentials have gone from strength to strength and he now has 15 finishes inside the top 20 at the TT, with five of those top 10, and 15 replicas. He finished 8th in the 2011 TT Championship, a stunning effort given the experienced riders he was up against.
Hillier hopes to get a run out on his ER6 Kawasaki in February before a full testing programme in Spain in March, as he also contests the British Superbike Championship this season. In addition, he also hopes to return to the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau in what promises to be a busy season for the Hampshire rider.
Hillier said:
“I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and with regards to the TT I simply want to keep on improving and build upon the results I’ve achieved thus far.”
“No one’s getting slower so it’s not getting any easier, but I’ve been steadily getting faster and would like to think I’ll be there or thereabouts this year. I’ll take it as it comes though as that’s the approach that’s served me well thus far and although I haven’t set myself many targets, I would like to crack the 130mph barrier on the Superbike.”
“I’ll also be contesting the new Lightweight TT and am really excited about that. Ryan (Farquhar) has done all the chassis work for us with the ER6 Kawasaki and the bike sounds really good, so it could be the one that gives me my best result.”
“It should be a bit more of a level playing field and promises to be a really good class.”
Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing Team Owner Peter Extance added:
“James Hillier is a real credit and asset to Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing.”
“We have supported him fully for four years and for us he is the reason why we are involved in racing. James is a local lad and we have seen his potential grow over the years into what we hope will be podiums and wins at the TT. James has been a real team member and not just a rider turning up and riding the bike. You will still see James putting up the awning and pit garage and taking it all down again at the end.”
“For 2012 we have invested heavily in trying to give James the best machinery possible for the TT and we believe it is the time for James to be pushing on to the top steps and with six races at this year’s event we are really excited that he can fulfil his and our dreams in 2012.”
Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager Paul Phillips said:
“James was one of the potential stars of the future that we highlighted in our 2008 ‘Young Guns’ campaign and he’s really starting to fulfil his potential.”
“I have no doubt that he will be a TT star for many years to come and will be challenging for a podium place sooner rather than later.”