2005 Stars of the Future Championship
Since making his debut into rallying James has wowed onlookers with his impressive overall results in national level rallies. In 2005 his efforts paid off as he caught the eye of Suzuki and since then the Ludlow driver has not looked back. 2005 was an incredible year for James as he drove the 1400cc Suzuki Ignis in the new British Rally Championship ‘Stars of the Future’ class. Five straight wins and fastest times on 29 out of the 31 stages of the championship made James the first winner of the Stars of the Future Championship and voted the third best driver in the whole of the British Championship.
2006 British Rally Championship
His amazing performance in 2005 meant Suzuki kept James on to drive in the British Rally Championship in a Junior World Rally Car as the number 2 driver in the Dealer Team along side 2005 Junior World Championship runner-up Driver Guy Wilks. Not only did James have to learn a new car but also he had to compete against three regular world championship drivers; Roman Kresta, Barry Clark and Guy Wilks. After 2 victories, a 2nd and two 3rd places James held the trophy as 2006 British Super 1600 Champion an unbelievable feat for the relative newcomer. With a lack of tarmac experience compared to his rivals James entered the Irish Tarmac Championship and despite only competing on 4 out of the 8 rallies the team claimed 2nd in the Championship, it seemed like there was no stopping James in 2006.
2007 Works Suzuki Rally Driver
With Suzuki looking to run a 1-make championship for the new Suzuki Swift GpN car in 2008, James was given the job of testing and developing the new car. Competing in both the British Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Championship James would have a season with many stage miles to develop his skills. Some mechanical issues at the start of the season meant that James would not be in a position to push for the Irish title but a string of great results towards the end of the season meant the British title went down to the wire on Rally GB. Unfortunately some problems on Rally GB meant that James could not take the title but the car was definitely ready for the 2008 championship.
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