James Hillier
Proving that not all road racers are northerners...
“The money does help, but I’d do it for free,” says James Hillier on the TT. The Bournemouth Kawasaki rider has steadily chipped away at the Mountain Course since his first visit in 2008, and was rewarded with his first victory there in 2013. Hillier took the Lightweight win on an ER-6 and set a stupidly rapid lap of 117mph in the process. James also adopted some gonads and ran the ‘one’ plate, so was first down the hill.
After years of progression at BSB level, Hillier made the switch to road racing. “I used to go to the TT with my dad as a kid, and I went over with Ollie Bridewell in 2006. I knew then I wanted to have a go. Short circuit racing is all about money; how much you’ve got, how much you can pay for a decent ride, and how much you can pay a top data technician. And you bust your balls for a tenth of a second.
“On the roads, though, everyone comes back with a smile. It’s a permanent buzz, just you and your bike against the clock. And for me, to be part of the TT with all its history, being such an iconic event and an incredible thing internationally, is what it’s all about.”
Last year’s Senior TT was red-flagged after the carnage at Bray Hill, when Jonathan Howarth had a naughty crash and several spectators were injured as his ZX-10R did its best to destroy some locals’ houses.
“I knew that the Lightweight class would be my best chance of winning, purely because of the grid, but the fourth place in the Senior meant more. When the red flag came out, I just wanted to go back to the motorhome, take my leathers off and get pissed.”
It must be tough for the now full-time road racer, working three weeks in a year. What else is on the cards? “I was holding out for a world endurance ride, but nothing came of it. I’m also planning on having a go at Pikes Peak.
“In terms of the TT, I’d like to retain the Lightweight belt, so to speak, but I’ll just take it as it comes. I’d also like to up my 600cc lap times and maintain 131mph laps on the big bike. If I can do that, we’re in the ballpark. I aim to win every time, but I just go with the flow. It’s very easy to over-ride the TT, push too hard and make mistakes, which only slows you down.” Expect big things this year...