The JIG(gy) of a Champion

His smiling ambition never faltered from Round 1, way back at Silverstone at the start of the season. Only now can James and his victorious JA Motorsport team, comfortably sit back and reflect on an exceedingly good job well done in their first year together.



It has been a truly magnificent first season in single seater car racing, with James securing the 12 round BARC Formula Renault National Championship, following on from the last round at Thruxton. He knew that he did not have to win and drove accordingly, resisting the urge to pummel his nearest rival into submission, when he clearly had the pace to do so, as he drove for a calculated and comfortable 2nd place, in a “stuck up your rivals exhaust” manner, just to prove a point. 

The championship, run at all the major circuits in the UK, had been hotly contested by at least 24 drivers, many of whom were more experienced and already recognised by the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) as up and coming stars of the future. James, in his first season, has beaten them all to the title, and is now already seen as one of the hottest properties for 2004 and beyond. This recognition has been further evidenced by the fact, that he has been nominated for the BRDC ‘Rising Star’ status, which is to be considered by their ‘scout’ committee in December. In addition, and maybe of greater importance, James has already had talks with people involved in Formula 1 management, and discussions with other top UK racing teams in other formulae.

The year has not only seen James take the Championship title, but it has been one of broken record after record, which started from the moment he first sat in the JA Motorsport team run car. In his short career to date, James has competed in 12 BARC Formula Renault races, at 9 different circuits, none of which he had ever raced at before. Over the year as the records tumbled, James has set 5 new lap records at 5 of the circuits, and equaled 1 other. A further 11 fastest laps from 12 races followed, including 7 pole positions and 9 podium finishes, covering 5 race wins, 3 second positions, and 1 third position. 

The result of all this action meant that James was crowned as the youngest ever BARC Formula Renault Champion in the 7-year history of the championship! The new champion though is no stranger to British titles, since he was also the youngest ever Formula TKM British Karting Champion in 2001, which he had dominated all season, just as he has done in 2003 in the BARC National Series.

At the beginning of this season, James’ family had to re-mortgage the family home in order to fund his racing throughout 2003. Father Ian’s comment now: “We always new James would do well, but he has surpassed all expectations. Quite simply he has proved Peterborough has a remarkable talent in James who, according to the motorsport world has the natural ability, very rare talent and personality, to make it to the very pinnacle of the sport. We are very proud indeed and he has paid us back for the ‘investment’ in the best way he could”

James is now concentrating on the 2004 season and is talking to the top UK teams, in order to race in the prestigious and ultra high profile TOCA Formula Renault UK Championship, running alongside the British Touring car series. This series enjoys huge race and TV audiences and is seen as just one possible step away from Formula 1, as was demonstrated by the McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen champion, who won the 2000 Renault UK title before graduating to Formula 1 in 2001.

James’ career to the very top of the motorsport ladder is very clearly his destiny, but he now requires additional funding to further his aims. As a result of which he is now actively seeking a sponsor, or sponsors, to ‘partner’ him on this journey and to enjoy the obvious exposure and rewards his undoubted success will bring.