Full Chat podcast: James Hillier on his Isle of Man TT heroes
Professional motorcycle racer James Hillier is the latest guest on the second series of motorcycling podcast Full Chat.
He is joined by hosts Iwan Thomas and footballer-turned-presenter David Prutton to discusshis biking idols, how his career has unfolded thus far and what racing in the Isle of Man TT is really like
Hillier also discusses his other passion, photography, and how he combines his love of bikes with his photographic talent.
James Hillier on why sportsmen are no longer humble
During the episode Hillier discussed how he thinks sportsmen’s attitudes have changed since he was a child watching his favourite bikers and the men that are still down to Earth in his opinion.
“To a degree, all TT racers are heroes, because it never gets put in front of you, or handed to you that career. Everyone that’s there has had to want to do it and work their way up to fund it, and get the licence to do it”, Hillier revealed.
“But my biggest (hero) is probably Joey Dunlop with what he achieved there and also the way he did his work. He was so humble and quiet. You know, in a lot of sports now, moreso lately than ever, there’s a lot of big egos and I don’t like that in people really, it winds me up and I can’t watch them.
“I like people that do their talking when they’re doing what they love, but Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop, and Bruce Anstey is another one who is very quiet but unbeatable on his day, no one could beat him.
“And also more recently Michael Dunlop with what he’s achieved in recent years is incredible and John McGuinness; I’m quite fortunate to say over the years we’ve become quite good friends, which I still probably pinch myself about that really because in my younger life, and still now, he is a hero and I look up to him and what he’s achieved.”
Plenty more episodes of Full Chat to enjoy
Series two’s engine is well and truly warm, but we’ve got a host of episodes for you to listen to if you’ve missed the previous series of our motorcycling podcast.
You can listen to Full Chat on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or various other platforms if you want to see what all the fuss is about.
