James makes his mark at Brands

Winchester's James Hillier finished eighth in Round 6 of the British Superbikes at Brands Hatch last Sunday. In the Saturday qualifying session, James managed to finish in eighth place out of 23 for the Sunday start grid, giving him a second row start and a Virgin Mobile 'brolly dolly' for the race start. Happy to find that he was fourth fastest through the circuit speed traps, James was confident of keeping up with the top five riders. This race was only the sixth time that the teenager has ever raced on a 600cc machine. After a good start, hes moved up to seventh place at Paddock Hill Bend, only to drop back to tenth. He moved up to eighth position on the last lap but was pipped at the flag and finished ninth, picking up a further seven points to move him up to eleventh place in the Championship. James has been focusing on physical fitness and, after finishing the 12-lap race, he said could do the same race again - but better! He has had consistent finishes in the last three races, finishing 8th, 7th and 9th and is now looking forward to Round 7 at Rockingham, Northampton on July 6th,