BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP PROFILE: TOBY JAMES

This week’s bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup rider is Toby James, who hails from coastal Victoria. A strong performer in this year’s Oceania Junior Cup (OJC), the young gun has a life-long love for the sport.

Tell us about where your love for motorcycle racing began and why?

My love of motorcycle racing began two weeks after I was born because my mum has a picture of me sitting on my dad’s lap looking at a motorcycling magazine featuring Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi. And when I was two years old I started watching MotoGP, and my favourite rider was Casey Stoner.

Tell us about the first time you hopped on a motorcycle.

On my fourth birthday, I got a peewee 50 Yamaha, which was a great present and I rode it all the time.

Thinking back, tell us about one of your favourite memories growing up when it comes to motorcycling?

There’s a funny story where we used to have a plastic ramp in our backyard, and I went over it and smashed into the pool fence. I really enjoy the daring nature of motorcycle racing.

What career do you hope to end up in? For example, WSBK or MotoGP racer?

I want to get into MotoGP because I’m looking at Moto3, then getting into Moto2 and then making the jump into MotoGP.

Tell us who your sporting idol is. How have they impacted you and your love for motorcycling?

It’s Casey Stoner because he’s the person that inspired me to ride motorbikes from the start. I met him once and he was a nice and kind guy.

What have you learnt from the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup?

I’ve learnt how to approach a track you’ve never been to before, so now I have a look at the track, then go through the gears and lines. The competition is really tough, and there’s really fast kids like Angus Grenfell.

Tell us about your bike, helmet, leathers, gloves and boots. How are you adjusting to the new bike? How do you find the products that have been chosen specially for you?

The bike is really good, and when we had testing at Phillip Island (at the start of the year) I could hardly touch the ground sitting on my bike, but now I’ve grown I can touch the ground now. The helmet is really light, and boots and gloves are super comfortable. The gear makes me feel like I’m riding in MotoGP.

The 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship heads to Winton Motor Raceway for Round 5 of the season, and the bRU cRU Oceania Cup riders will also be there strutting their stuff.

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