By 2013 Lightweight race winner James Hillier, is the latest elite international roads star to switch to Honda tackle for roads scene outings in 2024, competing for the newly set-up WTF (We’re The Future) Racing team.
Whilst podiums weren’t achieved last year, the Ringwood racer had the distinction of becoming the quickest Yamaha racer in TT history, lapping at close to the 133-mph lap-mark.
Aiming to keep the positive momentum rolling on, the 14 times TT podium finisher, stated recently about the switch to Honda power, leading the new WTF project, created by Alan Gardner and Paul Curran of OMG Racing.
“Riding the Hondas will be a new challenge for me after two years on the Yamaha but given the performance we’ve seen of late from the Fireblade, whether in Superbike or Superstock trim, it’s one I’m really looking forward to.
The Honda is proven to be quick straight out the box, which shows how good the base setting is, and it’s a good all-round package. You only must look at the entry to see how many Hondas there are and that speaks volumes.”
He continued:
“One area I struggled a bit with last year was top speed and the Hondas had the edge over me, so it’ll be good not to have that issue this year!
We probably won’t run a full Superbike but will instead run a Superstock-spec bike in all races, albeit with a higher tune of engine for the Superbike and Senior Races.
Keeping it safe and simple like that works better for me as it’s not easy swapping bikes all the time and this way will reduce the workload for all concerned.
I’ve got the same team and crew with me as I’ve had for the last two years – only the team’s name is different – and I’m confident of finding more speed and making another step forward from the results and lap speeds I achieved in 2023.”
Alongside the Northwest 200, TT Races, Hillier’s tie-up with WTF Racing, also features the otherworldly Dakar Rally.
An event finisher in 2023, ‘Dynamite’ is highly enthused about another crack at off-road racing’s utopia in 2025.
Quotes via TT Races official website
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
