Ten things you didn’t know you wanted to know about …. successful road and TT racer James Hillier

Posted by

I met James at this year’s Bike Show @ the Excel and he very kindly answered some questions for me. 

James is a road racer and has competed at the Isle of Man TT races and at the North West 200 in Ireland and in both the British Supersport and British Superstock 1000 Championships scoring numerous top ten positions. 

James’ TT appearance came in 2008 at the age of 23, where he competed in the two Supersport races for Jackson Racing, finishing 19th in the first four lap race and improving to 17th in the second. The two results saw him not only lap at more than 119mph and win two silver replicas but also win the coveted Newcomers Trophy. Later that year, he finished second in the Dundrod 150 National race.

What is the best feeling about being on a motorbike?

The freedom, if it’s in the right environment.

What is the one thing people would never know about you just by looking at you?

That I am boring away from a motorbike!

What was your most embarrassing moment on a motorbike?

When I crashed at Brands Hatch, I tore my leathers and my willy came out !

What is the worst thing your mum caught you doing as a kid?

Um……. [Apparently he couldn’t think of anything!!!!!]

Do you have a lucky thing/ritual before the start of a race?

No, I used to but I put a stop to them before they got out of hand.

What was the first motorbike you owned?

A TY80 Yamaha.

What is your favourite stretch of road to ride on (not including a race track)?

There’s a road in Dos Aqua near Valencia in Spain that is my favourite.

If you hadn’t been a racer, what would you have been?

An electrician.

Would you ride pillion? If so, who with?

Yes, but only with a select few fellow racers. [James wouldn’t let on who these were!]

If you got arrested, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

Definitely speeding!

BK