James Toseland Interview
Britain’s premier motorcycle racer gave South East Biker an in-depth insight into his world when he appeared at Southeast Bikerefest in Brighton. We were the first publication to speak to James the day after he received the official news regarding his MotoGP future. It was probably the worst day of his professional career yet he put on a great show with Crash, stayed to chat with everyone afterwards and was happy to spend an hour of his time chatting to me. Top bloke!
At the time of this interview, Tech3 had not re-signed JT and there had many rumours in the press about Ben Spies getting his job. JT confirmed to me that as far as he knew Tech3 were waiting to see if Ben Spies would win WSB and JT had to wait too.
SEB. I watched you at Silverstone 2007, it was horrendous weather, you were in a good place but you had a huge highside. The bike was smashed up, clutch lever gone and the bike was overheating. Some racers would have given up and thought about the next race but you didn’t. You got back on in last place and then worked your way up to 12th to get a few points. What made you do that and why? Those few points helped you win the WSB championship. Do you agree that you rode the best you have ridden and were more determined than ever before?JT. No I hate it when people say that I didn’t ride aggressively before that because I have always wanted to win. I ride every race to win and never want to let anyone past me. I think you cannot race without having some aggression.
SEB. Do you ever get that red mist that Jamie Whitham always talks about?
JT. I have been known to get a touch of the red mist but every racer does and I think they would be lying if they say they hadn’t.
SEB. Who, in your opinion, was or is the greatest motorcycle racer?
JT. That’s a hard one as there are a few in my mind. Barry Sheene because of his great personality as well as a racer. Kevin Schwantz as a past racer and, of course, Rossi, he will always have to be listed.
SEB. What is your favourite bike that you have ridden?
JT. That’s a tough one, I love the Hannspree Honda I won the WSB championship on, but my favourite colour scheme was the year before on the Winston Hannspree Honda. Of course the Yamaha I’m riding now is a great bike to ride, so different from anything else.
SEB. What do you think about the restrictions that have been placed on MotoGP?
JT. We all know about the Honda situation of spending £300 million in one year just to go racing, when car manufacturers are laying off people and making redundancies. If they know the manufacturer they work for is spending that much money to go racing then that’s a problem. That’s why, with the current situation, these restrictions will reduce some of the spending.
SEB. How much do you think people want to be James Toseland and then buy the same motorcycle to emulate you?
JT. I think that sort of thing is more for the Superbike championship because what they run in the SBK or WSB is based on what someone can buy in the dealership. MotoGP is more of a showcase of what they can produce with few limits and no holds barred. That speaks louder to me than the production bikes, as the designer is not restricted. What makes the SBK very important is the bike people see Ben Spies ride, the R1, they can go and buy it, they know it’s going to be very similar to the one he is racing. It is important to the manufacturers to have the racing to show the bikes off.
SEB. Is it that important to promote the sales of bikes, is racing that influential?
JT. To the manufacturers it is. We are the showrooms; to promote bikes sales, if there are no bike sales there would be no motorcycle racing, no support or sponsorship, no racing on TV and no crowds. As soon as motorcycle sales drop then the support drops.
SEB. The image of the motorcycle rider or racer in the past has been one of a bad boy, how much do think that has changed?
JT. Well, there was a banner back in 2003 at Brands Hatch, that I saw and I will always remember it, it said Hodgeson's no pianist but he’s a world champion. I don’t know who did it and it must have taken them a long time to do, but that, to me, showed not ignorance but it could have been taken that way. They made that banner because I played the piano and that meant to them I guess that I could not be aggressive enough to be a world champion. The old image of the greasy biker, the Hell’s Angel that causes trouble, has gone. Now there are more people riding bikes and from so many different walks of life. There’s an increase in women riding and watching the racing too, it shows that there is now a wider range of people riding bikes. A greater variety of rider in this sport helps to increase the audience.
SEB. As you mentioned women bikers, what do you think about women racers and why are there not more?
JT. Years ago in the 40s and 50s there were a lot of women riding motorcycles, then it seemed it wasn’t recognised as a women’s sport, now there are some good young woman riders. In the BEMSEE and Thunder sports especially, there are a few young girls coming up through the ranks. Women are just as competitive as men and just as good a rider, if not better in some cases. The more the merrier, I think, anyone can get an old bike and go racing, you just need the determination.
SEB. You have music on one side and motorcycle racing on the other. How do the two fit in to your life and which is your favourite?
JT. Motorcycle riding is my sport and passion; music will never take its place. What music gives me is the relaxation. I play my piano and it helps me get through whatever I’m feeling at the time, whether it is frustration, sadness or happiness. I will always be grateful to my Grandmother as one of my memories was going to her house and she would teach me to play. I always played the piano with my Grandmother and we shared that love of music. She got me into the music but it will never take the place of motorcycle racing.
SEB. What’s your prediction for the MotoGP Championship?
JT. Had you asked me before Misano, I would have said Lorenzo but after Misano and knowing Rossi does not make many mistakes, I know he won’t make any more, so Rossi will win the title for the 9th time. Lorenzo is a great guy but once he gets his leathers on he becomes a cocky little shit. I have to do a lot of promotion stuff with him and he really is a lovely kid. I hope Casey gets back to the racing soon and makes a good recovery.
SEB. You did the promotion ad for Yamaha where you spent the day in the offices. What was that like as there had been plenty of press about you and Edwards not talking?
JT. Yes there had been and it was blown out of all proportion, Colin was upset about the changes, the boss made, we did have words but that was that. It was the press that kept it going. The problem that arose with that ad, “A Day in the Office,” was that Yamaha had assigned roles for each of us but Lorenzo was made the cleaner.
He thought it was really funny and a good laugh but in America many jobs like that are taken by Spanish or Mexican immigrants and it caused all sorts of problems in the US. It was shown in Spain and there was a great reaction to it but it could not be shown again in the US, but we had loads of fun doing it though. (The ad for Yamaha showed JT as the post boy, Rossi was the receptionist, Lorenzo was the janitor/cleaner and Edwards was the security guard at Yamaha head office in Laguna. You can see it on YouTube.com if you fancy a laugh.)
SEB. Has the racing become a job to you or is it still your passion?
JT. The music gives me an outlet for all sorts of emotions but the motorcycle racing is my life my dream and my job. I am the luckiest person to be able to do a job that I would do without getting paid (don’t print that bit please!). If it ever becomes just a job that would be the time to finish and that’s when most racers do.
SEB. Are there any other teams interested in you at the moment and that you would consider if you do not get the Tech3 ride for next season, i.e. Ducati WSB and Suzuki WSB?
JT. I have not as yet been contacted directly by those teams; yes there have been rumours flying around. Roger has spoken to a few people about the possibilities but nothing concrete as yet. Of course I want to be in MotoGP but that may not be a possible if Ben wins the championship. Please don’t get me wrong I think what Ben has done this season on that Yamaha is amazing. So I understand that the results I had in the first half of the season have let me down. The second half of the season has been much better and I have felt more comfortable with the new engine. I am grateful to Yamaha for the support they have given me this year.
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