James first and foremost tell us a bit about yourself. In relative terms your a newcomer to short circuit racing but you've certainly made your mark in the first couple of years.
Well I started racing in August 2018 at Thruxton BSB, after about 2 days at Nutts Corner and a day at Kirkistown. I had never really been into racing until my brother Eugene started racing in 2015, up until then I had been big into football but once seeing him race I wanted to make the change myself from the pitch to the track. This will be my 3rd full year racing this year after 1 year with Team #109 in 2019 and 1 year with the Affinity Sports Academy in 2020 and I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to race for both this year.

Tell us how you felt when you first got the call from Paul Tobin to see if you were available to replace Eunan McGlinchey last year in Estoril at the last round of the World Supersport 300 Championships?
Well it came as a bit of a shock to be honest, I was on my way to Brands Hatch for the final round of BSB with my Brother Eugene when I got a phone call from my Dad saying that Paul had rung him and that there’s a possibility that I could be going to Estoril to replace Eunan. Eunan had to get a medical on Thursday at Estoril to see if he would of been fit to race, meanwhile me and Eugene where sitting outside Stansted Airport waiting on the call to see if I would be riding or not. Unfortunately for Eunan he was not passed for to ride so I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to ride.

Your family has been steeped in motorbikes most notably with your older brother Eugene Jnr. and naturally your father Eugene. Who would you say would have been your biggest influence in your career to date?
Well obviously I would say my brother Eugene has been my biggest influence on my career. He has helped me come on leaps and bounds since I first started racing and will always be someone who I will look up to and admire as a rider and person. Also my Dad is another influence of mine, he made it to Grand Prix level racing which is obviously something that me and Eugene both are aiming for.

Not that a 17 Y/O like yourself needs to worry too much about fitness but can you tell us a little bit about your physical preparation for this year and how have you been able to stay bike fit given current restrictions?
During the race season me and Eugene would train 3 to 4 times a week in the gym together with our trainer and would do Cardio work twice a week. But during off season we would ride pit bikes and ride motocross bikes in the fields at the back of our house. Myself and Eugene are out in Spain riding pit bikes flat tracking, cycling and training with Leon Haslam, Sam Lowes and Alex Lowes. So luckily we’ve been able to come out here and ride. We’ve been out here now for 4 weeks and are ready for our test and the end of March at Catalunya and Aragon.

MMB are a big sponsor of yours and have also been a supporter of road racing. Have you ever considered swapping the tyre walls and asphalt for a few stone chips and country hedges?
Not really to be honest I’ve been more interested in short circuit racing instead of the roads. Racing to me is more about getting the most out of yourself and out of your bike, where as road racing is about getting the most out of the track.

Most lads your age are considering their A-level options but you seem to have your focus on track for now.
Yes luckily enough I’ve the opportunity to go racing while I was still at school, however as soon as I finished my GCSEs I left school to concentrate on racing.

Catalunya will be your first outing on the #Team 109 Ninja 400 at the end of the month as part of the official World Superbike test. A lot of the circuits will be new to you for this season, have you had any help form other riders to prepare for these tracks?
At the start of the Season all the tracks except Catalunya, Aragon and Estoril will be new to me. Next year I’ll have a lot of learning to do and I’m fully up for the challenge, I’m also lucky enough to have Leon, Alex and Eugene Laverty at the World Superbike races next year to go too for advice on the tracks, they have both a wealth of knowledge and I can learn a lot from them to help me progress as quickly as possible. Also, we have John Laverty as my team manager for Affinity Sports Academy she knows all the British championships well to help pass us on as much as he can to help.

All that's left to say is best of luck for the season ahead James and if we want to keep up to date with all the latest news from the Team #109 World Championship campaign where can we follow your progress?
For anyone looking to follow Team #109 for the latest news they can follow them on their website as well as their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. Me and Eugene both have our own racing accounts on Instagram and Facebook (E15 racing) where you can get updates on both our progress from World championship and British championships.