James Hillier and the Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki team narrowly missed out on their second podium of the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races when the Hampshire rider finished fourth in Tuesday’s Superstock race, just 0.270s adrift of third placed Lee Johnston.
Like Sunday’s Superbike race, the 30 year-old was in contention throughout and placed second at Glen Helen on the first run to Glen Helen, just over a second behind Michael Dunlop. By the end of the lap he’d slipped back to fourth and, such was the pace of the race, he was pushed back down to fifth at half race distance despite posting his first ever 130mph lap on a Superstock bike.
However, with a superb pit stop, James had jumped up to third by the start of the fourth lap as he circulated on the road with Dunlop. Johnston was putting in a charge though and it was nip and tuck between the duo throughout the final 37.73-miles. The Northern Irishman lapped at 130.851mph compared to James' 130.254mph and it was enough to see him get the verdict, cruel fortune for the Quattro Plant Muc-Off team.
The result came on the back of another strong ride by James in Monday evening’s Supersport race where a succession of 124mph+ laps enabled him to come home in sixth place for his third top six finish from the three races held so far and his third silver replica.
James Hillier: “It’s frustrating to finish so close to the podium particularly after 150 miles of racing – it’s tough losing a short circuit race by such a small margin never mind a podium at the TT but fair play to Lee. He put in a great ride and if I was to lose to someone, I’d want it to be him as he’s a good lad. I tried hard on the first lap, perhaps over-riding a bit, but once Michael came by I relaxed a bit more. I knew it was close for third and could see Michael was tiring a bit so I re-passed him but it was just a bit too late to halt Lee’s charge.”
“The 600cc race was pretty uneventful as I was riding on my own for the majority of the race but I did a 125mph lap from a standing start and was happy with a top six finish. I’ve finished in the top six of all three races so far and Friday could yet be our strongest day with the Lightweight and Senior so I’m really looking forward to the second half of the week.”
Pete Extance. Team Owner: “James put in a superb ride in today’s Superstock race and we’re all gutted for him that he missed the podium by such a small margin. He did his first 130mph laps on a Superstock bike and was comfortable sitting with Michael Dunlop when he caught up to him. We had a great pit stop and James realised Michael was tiring and also that third place was up for grabs. He re-took Michael and tried to hold off Lee but it wasn’t to be. Nevertheless, it was another fantastic ride by James and again proved that he can run with the best at the TT.”
“He started at number ten, as opposed to two, in the Supersport race and it was always going to be hard work trying to keep up with Ian Hutchinson who started at nine. He put in some consistent laps and rode a good, solid race in what’s not our strongest class to finish in a good sixth place. We’re all eagerly looking forward to the rest of the week now so thanks, as always, to the whole Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki team.”
James will be back out on the Mountain Course on Wednesday riding the Kawasaki ZX-6R once more in the second Supersport race.
Picture by Tim Keeton – Impact Images Photography
