Road Racing: James Hillier embarks on new journey with WTF Racing

James Hillier will race for the new WTF Racing Honda team at the TT and Dakar.

James Hillier will race at the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, riding for a new team called WTF Racing. Hillier will also take on the Dakar in a “Douglas to Dakar” challenge in 2025. The team will use a Honda Fireblade for the Superbike/Superstock events, with the Dakar machine unconfirmed.

The team was unveiled during the 2024 Autosport Show at the NEC with the WTF standing for ‘We’re The Future’. This is a part of their commitment for carbon neutrality – which includes recycling old race parts.

The WTF Racing team is linked to the OMG Racing team, with Alan Gardner as the team owner. The OMG Racing team will continue to race Yamahas in BSB but will not race under the OMG banner on the roads.

Hillier is also planning to race a Supersport bike this year, but no official announcement has been made.

James Hillier has experienced great success at the Isle of Man TT, winning the Lightweight TT in 2013. He also is a 14-time podium finisher at the TT, claiming all with the Bournemouth Kawasaki team.

A closer look:

Hillier said: “Riding the Hondas will be a new challenge for me after two years on the Yamaha but given the performance we’ve seen of late from the Fireblade, whether in Superbike or Superstock trim, it’s one I’m really looking forward to.”

“The Honda is proven to be quick straight out the box, which shows how good the base setting is, and it’s a good all-round package. You only have to look at the entry to see how many Hondas there are and that speaks volumes.”

“One area I struggled a bit with last year was top speed and the Hondas had the edge over me, so it’ll be good not to have that issue this year! We probably won’t run a full Superbike but will instead run a Superstock-spec bike in all races, albeit with a higher tune of engine for the Superbike and Senior Races.”

Alan Gardner, WTF Racing Team Owner, added: “When it comes to racing, especially a high level, saving the planet seems to be low on the priorities list.

“WTF has committed to racing responsibly from the outset and has already made considerable inroads to ensuring that the second our trucks leave for the North West 200 and then onto the Isle of Man TT, we will have already offset our carbon footprint.”

“Our name says ‘We’re The Future’ but foremost, we’re a race team, and our focus will always be to win but that also means winning in the race to save the planet.”

Image credit: iomttraces.com