Hillier confirms North West 200 return

'I like going fast and that is what the North West is all about. There is a lot of grinning inside the helmet' - James Hillier

Kyle White

09 Jan 2014

Quattro Plant Kawasaki's James Hillier will compete in every class this year at the Vauxhall International North West 200.

Hillier will contest the Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin classes for the Bournemouth-based team at the famous road race meeting in Northern Ireland in May.

The 28-year-old - a winner in the Lightweight race at the Isle of Man TT last year - believes his best chance of a maiden win at the North West lies in the Supertwin class.

"Probably my best odds of success are in the Supertwins races," Hillier said. "I would like to improve on my position in every class this year so to do that in the Twins I will have to win.

"We will have a new bike that will be better than last year's ER6 with some engine changes and chassis improvements and there is more to come from me as well.

"Over the last couple of years the Supertwins races have been run in damp or wet conditions and I wasn't really sure how hard to push from the start so I hope it will be dry this year and I get away well at the beginning."

Hillier - who also finished on the podium in third place behind Michael Rutter and Alastair Seeley in the Superstock class in 2012 - says the North West 200 presents a challenge unique to any road race meeting in the world.

"I love it. I like going fast and that is what the North West is all about. There is a lot of grinning inside the helmet," he said.

"It is very different from any other road race because it is all about speed and braking.

"You need to get a good start and be with the boys at the front at the end of the first lap to have any chance of winning. Then it is all down to who can brake the latest on the last lap."

Team boss Pete Extance added: "Both the team and Kawasaki UK worked hard to retain the services of James for the coming season after his successes on the roads last season and his steady progression towards being a top flight roads rider.

"We are determined to finish the job off and put James on the top step in many international road races this year."