Hillier satisfied with progress

Leading British Superstock contender James Hillier is now in his second year of racing at the Isle of Man TT but 2009 has been his first on a 1000cc machine and it’s been a whole new learning cure for the 23-year old.

Hillier, the best TT newcomer in 2008, is currently lying in seventh place in the Superstock series on his Buildbase/Bournemouth Kawasaki but is also a huge fan of road racing and has high hopes for this year’s event.

Despite missing the opening practice session due to the race at Thruxton, Hillier put in his first 120mph laps during practice week, his best lap of 121.937mph coming in the final session on Friday evening. He’s also lapped at 119.740mph on his 600cc machine, which is also running in Superstock trim.

“It’s a lot different on a big bike,” said Hillier, “and it’s all about building up my confidence. As I’m more used to a 600 around here, the corners are coming at you a lot quicker on the 1000cc and I’m rolling off a lot when I should be going through them a lot quicker. I keep coming out of corners thinking I should have been in a gear higher. I have to keep reminding myself that it’s only my second year but I’m going ok and believe there’s more to come on race day.”

“You need to take slightly different lines on the 1000cc as well, tipping in early and the like but it’s hard telling your brain to do that. I’ve been doing the opposite in places and subsequently been missing a few apexes so I’m still losing a bit of time. I’ve put in 19 laps during the week though and am definitely learning more and more each time I go out so I’m not far off piecing the whole lap together.”