Bournemouth Kawasaki gives fond send-off to Hillier

Bournemouth Kawasaki team owner Pete Extance says “James Hillier is the reason we started racing” and has given him a strong farewell after an amicable split for 2020.

After first rising to prominence in road racing back in 2008, winning the Newcomers Trophy at the Isle of Man TT, the following year Hillier signed up with Extance’s team for a full road racing campaign.

In a partnership which has lasted a decade the team has secured 14 podiums at the Isle of Man TT and nine rostrums at the North West 200 with the highlight of wins in the 2013 Lightweight and 2019 Superstock races at the Northern Irish event. Earlier this year Hillier was named Man of the Meeting at the North West 200.

With a personal fastest lap around the iconic TT course of 132.414mph set during the 2015 Senior TT, Hillier and Bournemouth Kawasaki have claimed an impressive 44 top 10 finishes from a total of 53 starts.

Hillier and the Bournemouth-based squad also enjoyed success in the National Superstock 1000 championship.

Given their wealth of success on the roads over the past 10 years, team owner Extance has given a tribute to Hillier and his crew chief Phil Biggs.

“James Hillier is the reason we started racing and he has been part of our team every single year,” Extance said. “Despite changes having been made in BSB over the years, our road racing commitments have stayed the same with just James and something definitely worked so we should all be proud of these excellent statistics.

“It was James who had to ride the bikes but he will be the first to recognise the hard work of the team and a special mention must go to Phil, his crew chief, who has been with him for the whole journey.

“Without a doubt none of this would of been possible without all our sponsors but especially John Murphy at Quattro Plant and we all wish James all the best for the future – we’ll be more than happy to see him finish directly behind our Quattro Plant Kawasaki riders in 2020!”

Hillier is yet to officially confirm his 2020 plans but is expected to continue road racing with a new team.

Bournemouth Kawasaki will also maintain its road racing presence next year despite stepping away from the Bennetts British Superbike championship.