On a recent tour of the University of Derby’s Motorsport engineering James saw and heard about the motorcycle streamliner project aiming to break the current official Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) record of 376.363mph, held by American Rocky Robinson.
James said: “I am hugely excited about this record attempt but I’m under no illusions as to how difficult it will be. I’ve been racing motorcycles for most of my life but this means learning a completely new technique in order to pilot the motorcycle streamliner.
“The team involved with the project is amazing and really knows its stuff, so I know I’m in safe hands in terms of the development. We’ve been in discussions about this for several months, but today at the University of Derby’s workshops I sat in the cockpit of the machine for the first time, so it now all seems very real.
“If successful, this will be a fantastic personal achievement but also a great accolade to bring back to the UK.”
The all-British team’s record attempt is due to take place at the Bonneville Salt Flats in September 2014, is being led by former GP and TT sidecar racer Alex Macfadzean. Alex is a former holder of the British bike land speed record and the first UK record over 200mph.