Having established himself as one of the sport’s fastest rising stars in recent years, James Cowton goes into this season with top class new machinery. Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s ER6 Kawasaki, CBR 600 Honda and S1000RR BMW will all feature a striking new silver, red and white livery for the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and other road races.
2015 saw him prove once again why many consider him a TT winner in the making. His main highlights from last year on the roads included lapping in excess of 125 mph on his way to a highly credible top 20 placing in the PokerStars Senior TT, a number of top three finishes in SuperTwin encounters around Oliver’s Mount, new Super Twins lap record at the Cookstown 100, fourth place finish in the Lightweight TT and third position in the Lightweight 250 Ulster Grand Prix.
James’ TT career highlight to date is undoubtedly his podium in the 2014 Bennetts Lightweight TT Race and he is a consistent top 20 performer in all classes since his Mountain Course debut in 2012 when he won the MGP Newcomer C Race and finished fourth in the Junior MGP.
Chris Lennon of Radcliffe Butchers, the Isle of Man based premium food retailer, has been sponsoring James for three years. He has full confidence in him gaining the maximum out of the Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s stable of machinery.
Looking ahead to the start of his 2016 pure roads campaign, the 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings champion said:
“We can’t thank Chris and Sherrie at Radcliffe Butchers enough for giving us the opportunity to do what we have wanted to do for the last couple of years. Last year we were jumping from one bike to another and didn’t know if we were coming or going, Chris has followed me through the last few seasons, felt what I was feeling and decided to give me the opportunity and now I am able to have a go on some fresh bikes and do a proper job, that’s the plan. I’m looking forward to getting on the new bikes and to get cracking onto the new season.“
With the new regulations for the two Monster Energy Supersport races at TT 2016 anticipated to level the playing field, James, who will be piloting a new top spec CBR 600 Honda, is confident of securing stand out results.
“I’m targeting the top ten if everything goes to plan and if we get a good set up, there is no reason we shouldn’t. I am certainly fired up to do it. The privateer’s championship and a return to the podium in the Lightweight race are definitely two attainable goals. I’m also looking to improve on my times from last year. I do have a figure I would like to achieve It will be a bit special being in the Isle of Man this year and receiving Radcliffe’s backing, as the main sponsor it will be nice to represent them on the Isle of Man.“
As well as TT 2016, all four Oliver’s Mount meetings and return to the Southern 100, James is also planning to be back at the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix.
