Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s are hugely looking forward to the start of the 2016 pure road racing season.
The teams ER6 Kawasaki, CBR 600 Honda and S1000RR BMW, all feature a striking new silver, red and white livery.
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.
2015 saw him prove once again, why many consider him a TT winner in the making.
Main highlights of 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 super twin 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.
Looking ahead to the start of his 2016 pure roads campaign, the 2014 Duke Road Race Rankings champion said:
“Looking forward to getting on the new bikes and get cracking onto the new season, making some good progress.”
Chris Lennon of Radcliffe Butchers, has been sponsoring James for three years, he has full confidence in him, of gaining the maximum out of the Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s stable of machinery.
Chris stated around the colour scheme of the teams new line up of machinery, that it took months to decide on the striking new livery.
James cannot thank Radcliffe Butchers enough for their help and sponsorship.
“Radcliffe’s butchers, we can’t thank Chris and Sherrie 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, 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.“
With the new regulations for supersport races at TT 2016, it’s anticipated to level the playing field, piloting a new top spec CBR 600 Honda, James is confident of securing stand out results.
“I’d definitely like to be in the top ten, if everything goes to plan and we get a good set up, there is no reason we shouldn’t, I am fired up for it.”
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a six lap race in last year’s record breaking Pokerstars senior TT, it was still a quite momentous race to be involved in, James said:
“Conditions where brilliant, not a great start with the red flag, a bit disappointed as I wanted to do the six laps continuously but it’s quite something special being in this race, the speed I was doing would at one time been the fastest in that race.”
Looking to TT 2016, privateers championship and a return to the podium in the lightweight race, are two goals of what are set to be an enterprising two weeks competition on the mountain course.
“Definitely to improve on my times, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 0.1 mph or 1 mph whatever I just want to improve on last year. I do have a figure I would like to achieve and improve on, but I am not telling anyone this at the moment.”
Continue learning and improve and get on the podium but a lot of people want that as well. A bit special being in the IOM this year and receiving Radcliffe’s backing, main sponsor, will be nice to represent them on the Isle of man, which will be good.“
Alongside TT 2016, all four Oliver’s Mount meetings and return to the Southern 100, he is also planning to be back at the North West 200 and the world’s fastest road race, the Ulster Grand Prix.
“Yes I will probably be doing the Irish meetings, last couple of years hasn’t been the best experience, but we will be doing them, it’s part of the calendar of racing, hopefully not raining!”
For many it won’t be long till James stands on the top step of the podium at the Isle of Man TT, in his own words, he states:
“Yes would like to think so, It’s something I have not really thought too much about at the moment, but up to the TT the thought is always there, all you can do is try your best.”
In summing up his ambitions for the season ahead, a TT podium finish, first victory at the Southern 100 and continuing his rapid improvement are amongst the aims he hopes to accomplish throughout 2016.
James final words on the season ahead:
“We all want to get on the podium and you want to achieve what you can achieve but at the end of the day you want to be able to come home and be sat here next January and be discussing the next years racing, but realistically I would like to have a solid TT, improve on times and a win at the Southern 100 and have a good solid safe season.”
By Stevie Rail | Road Racing News, Beverley
