James Hillier has been confirmed to return to the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and North West 200 under the new banner of Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki. This will be the ninth consecutive year that James Hillier has ridden for Pete Extance under the Bournemouth Kawasaki team banner.

In that time Hillier has established himself as one of the finest TT racers of his generation and, with a total now of ten podiums around the Mountain Course, will again go into next year’s event as a favourite for honours in all classes.

2017 saw Hillier, who won the Newcomers Trophy on his debut in 2008, enjoy another strong year at the TT. The Hampshire based rider enjoyed three more top four finishes, the highlight of which was a close second place to Michael Dunlop in the solitary Monster Energy Supersport 600cc Race. In addition, he also took fourth place in both the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races.

Hillier has one of the best TT records of recent times and, since making his debut, he’s now competed in 50 races and only failed to finish three. Indeed, his retirement in last year’s RL360 Quantum Superstock Race was his first DNF since 2010.

Of his 47 race finishes, no less than 36 have been inside the top ten and, with the exception of 11th place in the 2016 Superbike Race, he hasn’t finished outside the top ten since 2011, a phenomenal record and testament to both his and the team’s abilities.

With a fastest lap of 132.414mph, set in 2015, Hillier is currently the fifth fastest rider in TT history and the fastest Kawasaki rider ever while he has also won 43 silver and four bronze replicas and has recorded one win to date; in the 2013 Lightweight TT Race.

Commenting ahead of the 2018 season, Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team boss Pete Extance said:

“It’s great to have James back on board for this season and there’s no one else that we’d rather work with. His consistency around the TT Mountain Course is remarkable and I feel that it’s only a matter of time before he stands on the top step of a Superbike TT Race podium. We must also thank and welcome back as title sponsors John Murphy - MD of Quattro Plant for the renewed support of which we enjoyed our first TT win and many podiums over the last 5 years under the Quattro Plant banner.”

James Hillier said:

“I feel really confident racing around the Mountain Course now and that’s due in no small way to Pete and the Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team. Last year I felt really good in all classes and this year I won’t be going in to any race thinking that I can’t win it.”