British Superbike Virgin Mobile Yamaha rider Tommy Hill has already accomplished a lot in his 21 years on this planet. He started out competing in motocross at just aged six and survived a near fatal MX crash at 14; nothing seems to stand in head-strong Tommy’s way.
Tommy’s determination has seen him work his way through the ranks of 125 Super-teens, Junior Superstock, Superstock and the Yamaha R6 Cup, which in turn got him his ride in BSB.
Having already competed at World Superbike level as a wild-card twice this year and getting Pole Position on one of those occasions, he finished a very respectable ninth in the BSB Championship. Tommy has a great deal to look forward to after signing for his third year with Virgin Mobile, and aspirations to go to WSB in 2008. Foxy caught up with Tommy to find out more at the last round of BSB at Brands Hatch…
Foxy: Your racing career started out in motocross, how old were you?
Tommy: Yeah, that right, I started out in motocross at six years old and then progressed through. I then started doing schoolboy British championships and that sort of stuff and then it just got more and more money you know, my mum and dad put effort into it and more time and then it just went on from there.
I had an accident when I was 14 years old and had my spleen out, my kidney out and punctured a lung, so I was in a pretty bad way, I then decided to come to a faster sport…
Foxy: Yeah, why not… (Laughs)
Tommy: Yeah, road racing, Superbikes and so that’s it really, I just went up through there and then I had my accident in 1999 and then started Aprilia Super-teens on 2000. Then in 2001 in did Junior Superstock, and in 2002 I did Superstock, which was on 1000cc stock bikes, but half way through the season I had food poisoning, salmonella…
Foxy: Blimey, you haven’t had much luck have you!
Tommy: Yeah, I know… I lost two stone as well, so that just basically put me out for the rest of the season, I just couldn’t get back to fitness…
Foxy: Do you still have a problem with the injuries you got from that near fatal crash?
Tommy: Yeah, I have to take penicillin every day just to try and boost my immune system and clean me out…
Foxy: Really!
Tommy: Yeah, so that’s a bit of a nightmare, but as I say, I did Superstock for a year and then from there it was, what do we do? I started working really hard with my dad; I was working really late nights, till ten o’clock at night and then all of a sudden we heard about this R6 Cup. So we went along one day and joined up, I signed my name down and we were back racing again and um, what a good championship that was!
Foxy: Cool… In the R6 Cup, you were the only one to complete all 13 Races, which none of the other racer did...
Tommy: Yeah, I know…
Foxy: That’s a pretty mean feat, isn’t it…
Tommy: Yeah, consistent…
Foxy: Right, and in 2004 your rookie year in BSB, you became the youngest rider to qualify on the front row more than once. How did that make you feel?
Tommy: Yeah… Mega! And obviously it’s hard out there in the Superbikes from the R6 Cup, I thought I was on the edge and riding as hard as I can, and then went to Superbikes and it was just another league. It’s so fast out there, but I’m there mixing it with them now… (Laughs)
Foxy: You were also awarded the ‘Steve Hislop Young Rider of the Year’ trophy. That must have felt like a right honour…
Tommy: That was good for me yeah… and obviously in the first year getting a trophy like that and from the late Steve Hislop as well it was mega, yeah it was a good day.
Foxy: Your success continued with your first win in BSB at Cadwell Park in August last year. What was that like?
Tommy: That day was just mad, we just couldn’t believe it. We’d been struggling all season and it was full of ups and downs again, that’s what racing is, full of ups and downs, you have your good day and your bad days, but that was a good day for us. The team was chuffed and everyone was in tears, so we had a few beers that night that was for sure…
Foxy: I bet you did!
Ok Tommy, lets talk about this season; it’s been one hell of a year for you eh…
Tommy: Yeah it has, we started the season pretty much from scratch really, we started with Pirelli tyres and made the move from Dunlop to Pirelli and they were sure that they could supply us with some good stuff. At the beginning of the season we did struggle a little bit, just trying to get our foot-steps really and just work our way up the ladder. Half way through the season Pirelli started to supply some really good tyres and they started to come on strong, yeah and we have started knocking on the doors now, and as I say we’re moving up the ladder.
Foxy: You were a wild-card in WSB in May, how did it feel going out on track and racing against some of the best in the world?
Tommy: Ahh, the track was a bit daunting at first of all, but then to get Pole Position at World Superbikes, I was just chuffed to bits, it was definitely a day to remember. I mean, looking to the right of me was Haga and there was Bayliss; there were a few top, top names and Walker as well, you know, I get on with Walker well…
Foxy: Yeah, he’s a lovely guy…
Tommy: He’s a top bloke… So, it was a real good week end for us.
Foxy: You were consistently running with the top five all weekend. Do you feel that you would be able to give WSB a shot in a couple of years?
Tommy: Yeah, in 2008 I want to be going off to World Superbikes…
Foxy: 2008, you’re up for that!
Tommy: Yeah… For 2007 I have resigned the contract with Virgin Mobile Yamaha again, so I’m staying in BSB for another year and in 08’ I want to go to World Supers…
Foxy: When you were out at Silverstone in WSB, Who did you feel the most intimidated by?
Tommy: Well, all of then really… Every rider is out there doing the same job and that’s to win races, and you’re all mates off the circuit, but once you get on the track you all have to do the same job and that’s to win races
Foxy: Out of all of the riders, who do you admire the most?
Tommy: Probably Jonny Rea, he’s doing a good job but he’s definitely got a good bit of kit between his legs, he’s doing well at the moment. There are a lot of riders out there that are trying and just pushing, Billy McConnel’s doing well. We’re doing all that we can right now, I mean we’re up against the top factory teams and it’s not easy.
Foxy: Do you ever dream about getting a ride in MotoGP?
Tommy: Definitely, and that ‘s obviously in the future but, I’m looking at it realistically and riders will say, ‘I wanna go to MotoGP’, but there’s a lot of politics involved in MotoGP with regards to sponsorship an so on. So, I’ve set my sights on World Superbikes and hopefully I can get a top good ride there and see what I can do.
Foxy: At both Silverstone and Brands Hatch, the home crowds were right behind you, that must have been very encouraging…
Tommy: Yeah, they were really good and supportive, so hats off the them. I’ll have my family and friends here this week end at Brands for the last round, it’s my local circuit, I’m only 20 minutes down the road…
Foxy: And, its double points this week end for you all…
Tommy: Yeah, as you say, it’s double points so it’s a big thing for the Championship and contenders. But, as I say it could move me up to sixth in the Championship, so I’ll be pulling my finger out and giving it my all…
Foxy: You’re back here at Brands this weekend, your favourite circuit. How confident are you feeling?
Tommy: Err, well Yeah good, so far it’s been a bit of a nightmare to be honest, but I think it’s been the same for everyone as well, the weathers been a bit in between. It started to rain just before the session and by the end it had started to dry out and there was a dry line, but it’s in between. We either want it wet or dry.
Foxy: Who do you think will give you the most problems over the weekend?
Tommy: All of them, they’re all going to be gunning for it and trying to protect, or sort out a ride for next year. There’s going to be a lot of paint swapping and elbows out, that’s for sure!!
Foxy: And you’re getting a new R1 to play with next season, tell me more about that...
Tommy: Yeah, were not really sure, we don’t know that much about it yet. But I know it’s going to be pretty good you know, the engine’s supposed to be really good and the boys are on the case right now getting a few bits in from Japan so, it’s going to be good. If we get a bit more factory support it’ll be mega, it’s definitely not been easy this year in this Championship with the other teams, but Yamaha are doing all that they can at the moment and hopefully next year we can get on the podium.
Foxy: Good luck this weekend Tommy and thanks for taking the time out to talk with us…
Tommy: No problem.
BSB Final Round – Brands Hatch GP Circuit: Friday:Tommy had a flying start to the weekends practice sessions on the Friday morning; he was fourth fastest behind Kiyonari, Harris and Shakey Byrne. In the afternoon session the weather was against all of the riders, Tommy was ninth fastest in practice.
First Practice Session – Brands Hatch:1, Ryuichi Kiyonari 1:34.003
2, Karl Harris 1:34.578
3, Shane Byrne 1:36.286
4, Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:37.224
5, James Haydon 1:37.378
6, Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:37.555
7, Jonathan Rea 1:37.978
8, Craig Coxhell 1:38.526
9, Michael Rutter 1:38.715
10, Simon Andrews 1:39.040
Second Practice Session - Brands Hatch:1, Leon Haslam 1:33.963
2, Jonathan Rea 1:34.186
3, Shane Byrne 1:34.323
4, Karl Harris 1:34.404
5, Gregorio Lavilla 1:34.506
6, Ryuichi Kiyonari 1:34.584
7, James Haydon 1:35.972
8, Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:36.850
9, Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:36.929
10, Michael Rutter 1:37.397.
Saturday:Saturday morning’s weather was kinder for the third of the Free Practice sessions, seeing Tommy ninth fastest out on track over all. In the afternoon it was qualifying, and Tommy didn’t get the front row grid position that he had hoped for, he had to settle for 11th on the third row.
Sunday:Gusting winds and heavy down pours were imminent all day, and this was to make the days racing unpredictable and treacherous. Race one saw Tommy ride like a demon, giving an all out impressive ride. Not putting a foot wrong, Tommy ran most of the race with the front five and finished a convincing fourth behind Kiyonari, Haslam and Rea.
Race 1 Results:1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 19:45.196
2 Leon Haslam 19:45.377
3 Michael Rutter 20:01.697
4 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 20:17.757
5 Glen Richards 20:20.890
6 Scott Smart 18:52.174
7 Ben Wilson 18:52.611
8 Simon Andrews 18:57.244
9 James Haydon 18:57.786
10 Chris Martin 19:02.087
11 Dean Thomas 19:04.575
12 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 19:07.137
The changeable weather conditions once again made things hazardous for race two, with all riders out on wet tyres. Tommy got a blinding start and battled hard to stay in fourth position for most of the race. Catching the leading group, and shaving off three seconds a lap from the front runners, Tommy ran slightly wide, hit a damp white line coming out of Graham Hill Bend and crashed out with three laps left of the race. Race two was subsequently stopped, leaving Tommy badly bruised and taken away by ambulance. He still finished eighth overall in the Championship.
Race 2 Results:1 Leon Haslam 22:02.916
2 Ryuichi Kiyonari 22:11.688
3 Jonathan Rea 22:17.614
4 Karl Harris 22:20.855
5 Michael Laverty 22:30.502
6 James Haydon 22:35.365
7 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 22:41.539
8 Michael Rutter 22:43.460
9 Glen Richards 22:44.537
10 Ben Wilson 23:06.238
11 Peter Hickman 23:10.550
12 Ollie Bridewell 23:23.679
Final Championship Points:1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 466
2 Leon Haslam 458
3 Gregorio Lavilla 377
4 Jonathan Rea 248
5 Karl Harris 244
6 Shane Byrne 224
7 Michael Rutter 206
8 Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 187
9 Michael Laverty 179
10 Glen Richards 151
11 Dean Thomas 117
12 Ben Wilson 113
13 Scott Smart 102
14 Craig Coxhell 94
15 James Haydon 77
16 Billy Mcconnell (Yamaha) 60
We would like to say thanks to Lucy from Virgin Mobile Yamaha for arranging the interview and Thanks to Tommy and Team for taking the time out to chat with us.
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com www.tommyracer.com Related GalleriesBSB Final @ Brands Hatch '06 - Friday BSB Final @ Brands Hatch '06 - Saturday BSB Final @ Brands Hatch '06 - Sunday #1BSB Final @ Brands Hatch '06 - Sunday #2 BSB Final @ Brands Hatch '06 - Sunday #3
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