Solo racer, James Hillier, has secured the number one plate for Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Supertwins races on his Quattro Plant Kawasaki machinery.

Already a seasoned TT campaigner with a swathe of top six placings at recent events, the 28 year old from Ringwood, Hants, is seen by many seasoned TT pundits as a rider to watch in 2013.

Having starred in the award winning promotional video for the latest Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Supersport machine - filmed entirely on the TT course - Hillier has no qualms about being the first competitor down Bray Hill and over Ago’s leap.

“Some riders have a favourite number, some like to follow and others are superstitious in other ways, the Isle of Man gets to you like that. Personally, I like the idea of being first away and having a clear road ahead. To be fair, it’s against the clock anyway so if I can have some time early on to myself to get dialled in then so much the better.”

Sharing the honour of carrying the number one plate with Hillier is Manx legend, Dave Molyneux. Having made the recent history of TT sidecar racing his own property, 50 year old Molyneux is once more using Kawasaki power in his self-designed and constructed outfit this year. Along with passenger, Patrick Farrance, the pair are understandably rated as among the top half dozen prospects for success.

As Dave explains, having won using engines from each one of the four Japanese manufacturers he has now settled firmly on the Ninja ZX-6R motor.

“Personally I like the rules as they are now for the sidecar event. Tuning is regulated and its more down to the basic package as it comes out of the bike and not how deep your wallet is or how many boffins you have in your garage. It is, and it will always be, a case of us against the course and I’m confident that we’ll show the others a clean pair of heels behind our number 1 machine.”

Adding further recognition to Molyneux’s achievements as the most successful Manxman in TT history, the authorities have now named a corner after the Douglas resident. Typically it is a corner at the end of the one of the fastest sections of the 37 ¾ mile course, Cronk y Voddy straight.

Delighted that two Kawasaki competitors feature so prominently at the 2013 festival, Racing Coordinator for Kawasaki Motors UK, Ross Burridge, wished them well saying:

"James is fast becoming an established rider around the mountain course, and I can see him challenging for race wins in the very near future; perhaps even in 2013. He has a great team behind him in Quattro Plant Kawasaki, and starting from number 1 spot is great for both himself, and Kawasaki.

To add to that, Dave Molyneux having a corner named after him is a great honour, and I’m really pleased for him. He has given us our first ever wins in the TT sidecar class, and I am very grateful for that. Hopefully he can take two more wins when it comes to race week this year!"

Note: The Quattro Kawasaki team will be at the World of Kawasaki event at Silverstone on 21 April.

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