Isle of Man TT 2013

Accident Advice Solicitors were delighted to be linked up with the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team for the 2013 Isle of Man TT. Their rider James Hillier had a stunning week on the Island with some fantastic results including a great win in the Lightweight race and narrowly missing out on a podium in the illustrious Senior TT.

In the first Superbike race last Sunday James secured a seventh place and after only having a pin for a gear lever for five of the six laps that was a fantastic achievement. On Monday it was a busy day for the Hampshire based rider with the four lap Supersport race and also the four lap Superstock race this was a challenging day for the 27-year-old. He gained a great fifth place in the Supersport race despite little time on the ZX-6R Kawasaki and in the Superstock race he rode another solid race and despite losing power in the closing stages he nursed the Quattro Plant Kawasaki home to a great sixth place.

Wednesday was set to be another epic race with the second Supersport race; James pushed hard and was getting settled into the little 600 machine and gained another solid finish in sixth.

Friday was to be James' day though and an amazing one at that when James took his first ever TT win in the three lap Lightweight TT. In the process he also secured the lap record and the race record, he was dominant from the start of the race and eventually took an amazing win 33.5 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

This put James in a good frame of mind for the big race of the week, the prestigious Senior TT, James was eager to carry on his form and brimming with confidence come the six lap race in the afternoon. The race was delayed from the morning to early afternoon but as soon as it got underway James was keen to show his form. Being passed on the road by eventual winner and 20-times TT winner John McGuinness the youngster was able to stay with the TT legend and this helped him with his times, speed and position in the race.

James broke all his personal best records at the TT, did his first ever 130mph lap in the Senior, finished every race in the top seven. Despite his stunning last lap of 131.386 mph and only 0.2 separating him from Bruce Anstey going into the final lap James narrowly missed out on the Senior podium by 0.9 from Bruce.

James Hillier - "It's an amazing feeling to win and even though we felt the Lightweight race was our best chance of success, it's definitely going to take a while to sink in. It was hard work with the hot weather but I loved every minute of it and the bike worked beautifully. I had a bit of drama on the opening lap when I pulled two tear-offs off instead of one but I pressed on really hard and everything worked as planned. We were still unsure about our pit stop strategy and 15 minutes before the race we were going to stop at the end of the second but I'm glad we changed our minds. I was paranoid on the last lap that something was going to go wrong as things seemed to be going too well but once I saw 'P1 +25s', I was able to roll off a bit over the Mountain and bring the bike home. I'm over the moon and being a TT winner is an unbelievable feeling.

I was on a massive high but gave it my all again in the Senior and to circulate on the roads with John for four and a half laps was very, very special. I had to keep pinching myself that he was only a few metres in front as he really is the maestro around here and whilst I wanted to come away with a 130mph+ lap this week, to record two in excess of 131mph is unreal. It's been quite simply a brilliant week and I'd like to thank everyone connected with the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team. They've given me superb machinery and the level of support has been fantastic."

Quattro Plant Kawasaki Team Manager Pete Extance - "The TT 2013 was a fantastic fortnight for the team and James Hillier. We went there with an ambition to win the Lightweight TT and have strong results in all the races, we were very happy with the a superb Senior result, along with top finishes in all the races. James setting two 131mph plus laps was incredible and we are all over the moon with 4th overall in the Joey Dunlop rider Championship. Thanks again to Accident Advice Solicitors and all of our sponsors."

Accident Advice Solicitors Director David Urmston - "We're delighted to have helped the Quattro Plant Kawasaki Team during TT week and this is our first time associated with this event. It was great that James was running under the number one bike and we are over the moon with the results that he achieved during the week. We managed to get over to the TT for the Friday and to see James take the win and come so close to a podium in the Senior was fantastic. Pete at Quattro Plant Kawasaki has also agreed to run the Accident Advice Solicitors logo on their bike for the remainder of the BSB season with Chris Walker and Danny Buchan. This will run nicely alongside our support and sponsorship of Johnny Blackshaw in the National Superstock 1000 Championship."

The Quattro Plant Kawasaki team also helped support MCN Journalist Adam Child over the TT week - his TT summary can be watched on video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb_v_x9DQ4A&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Race Results

Sunday 2nd June - Superbike Race 1

James Hillier - Quattro Plant Kawasaki - 7th

Monday 3rd June - Supersport Race 1

 James Hillier - Quattro Plant Kawasaki - 5th

Monday 3rd June - Superstock Race 1

 James Hillier - 6th Quattro Plant Kawasaki

Wednesday 5th June - Supersport Race 2

 James Hiller 6th - Quattro Plant Kawasaki

Friday 7th June - Leightweight

 1st James Hillier - Quattro Plant Kawasaki

Friday 7th June - Senior TT

4th James Hillier - Quattro Plant Kawasaki