After a five-year absence, Bournemouth Kawasaki will return to the Isle of Man TT Races in 2024 as they reunite with former rider James Hillier for the two Monster Energy Supersport Races.

Hillier will campaign a special 40th anniversary-liveried Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R in the two 4-lap races and will be looking to repeat the success he’s previously enjoyed with Pete Extance’s team.

Indeed, the partnership between Hillier, Extance and Bournemouth Kawasaki is one of the most successful in the modern history of the TT, taking victory in the 2013 Lightweight TT and 13 more podiums from 2009 to 2019. The team were also renowned for their exemplary finishing record, with only four DNF’s in 58 races over the same period.

The Supersport class was arguably the one the team excelled at the most, with five of their podiums coming in the middleweight division. Close second-place finishes were taken to Michael Dunlop and Lee Johnston in 2017 and 2019 respectively, with three third-place finishes also recorded.

The team make their return in a landmark year for Kawasaki, with the brand celebrating the 40th anniversary of the iconic Ninja brand. As a result, the Bournemouth Kawasaki team will run the latest ZX-6R in the highly popular green, white and blue anniversary colours. 

James Hillier: “I'm excited to be back with Pete and the team at Bournemouth Kawasaki once again. We collectively have a lot of knowledge and data after many years racing together and at the TT that's a crucial element to being competitive.” 

Pete Extance, Bournemouth Kawasaki Team Owner: “We are really looking forward to our return to the Isle of Man TT as Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing, which we are proud to say is an in-house dealer effort. The TT is, without doubt, the best road race in the world, and we are over the moon to be back involved in 2024. It's a great honour to be running James again, and even more so with the 40th Anniversary liveried Ninja machine. A big thanks must go to Kawasaki UK for their support.”

James Hillier has unveiled his Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade machinery for the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock, and Milwaukee Senior TT Races, riding under the new banner of WTF Racing for 2024.

Owned and operated by the Alan Gardner and Paul Curran who Hillier has ridden Yamaha machinery for since 2022, WTF Racing – whose tagline is “We’re The Future” – will support the Hampshire rider at the Isle of Man TT Races and North West 200, as well as a return to the Saudi Arabian sands for a second appearance at the Dakar rally in 2025.

Winner of the 2013 Lightweight Race and a 14-time podium finisher – all with Bournemouth Kawasaki – Hillier enjoyed a profitable year in 2023 when he posted his quickest ever lap of the Mountain Course, lapping at 132.702mph on his way to a sixth-place finish in the 2023 Senior TT and becoming the fastest ever Yamaha rider in the process.

For that reason, it’s somewhat of a surprise to see Hillier and the team make the switch to Honda power but he’s confident the move will see him lap quicker still and push for the podium positions in the 1000cc races.

James Hillier: “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.”

“Keeping it safe and simple like that works better for me as it’s not easy swapping bikes all the time and this way will reduce the workload for all concerned. I’ve got the same team and crew with me as I’ve had for the last two years – only the team’s name is different – and I’m confident of finding more speed and making another step forward from the results and lap speeds I achieved in 2023.”

Hillier and WTF Racing are expected to have access to Honda Racing’s data from 2023, which will be a tremendous asset when it comes to setting up of the Fireblade. And although he’s yet to finalise his plans for the two Monster Energy Supersport Races, an announcement is expected soon.

To accompany the new look is a new approach to environmental issues, with WTF Racing taking a proactive approach to carbon neutrality. Focussing on energy efficient programmes and logistics as well as a commitment to recycle racing components once they reach the end of their racing lifespan, the team are clear on the environmental ethos.

Alan Gardner, WTF Racing Team Owner: “When it comes to racing, especially a high level, saving the planet seems to be low on the priorities list. WTF have committed to racing responsibly from the outset and have already make 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.”