Lusail: Isle of Man TT legend James Hillier is heading to Doha next week to take part in the Qatar International Baja for the first time. The three-day event is based out of the Lusail Sports Arena and is the sixth counting round towards both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIM Bajas World Cup. Bournemouth-based Hillier, 39, is one of the world’s leading motorcycle road racers but he also took part in the Malles Moto section of the 2023 Dakar Rally without service support.
Better known for his successes at the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, Hillier will face a totally different challenge across the winding gravel trails in the State of Qatar, where outright speed needs to be combined with excellent navigational skills to achieve top results. Hillier began riding at the tender age of four and started competing in trials two years later. By the age of 17, the Hampshire rider had moved into the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup, finishing fourth in 2004, before moving into the British Supersport and British Superstock 1000 Championships.
James had a fascination for road racing and his first appearance at the world-famous TT meeting on the Isle of Man came in 2008. He competed in a pair of Supersport events for Jackson Racing, finishing a modest 19th and 17th on his debut. Lapping with an average speed in excess of 119mph, he was awarded the prestigious Newcomers’ Trophy during a successful 10-year spell with the Bournemouth Kawasaki Team.
Hillier went on to earn his first podium i.