James Smith Motorsport Bio

2008 Currently racing in the New Zealand National Points series.

Born in Christchurch, 27-year-old James Smith grew up in the South Canterbury town of Waimate.

Motorbike racing is in his genes with his grandfather winning several Canterbury titles on the road and speedway track including a land speed record Gold Star clocking 96.7mph in 1938.

James showed racing prowess from an early age taking up BMX racing winning several club and regional titles.

His first foray into motor racing was in motor-cross competing in the popular, and tough, 125cc class regionally, in the South Island, were he was finishing in the top 10, and he also raced nationally. He competed for about seven years in motor-cross.

James introduction to road racing was in 2001 purchasing a 125cc bike. His ability quickly saw him challenging the top riders in the South Island.

He up-sized to a 400cc bike for just a couple of meetings before moving into Sports Production 600s. James? first season on the 600 saw him win both the King of Levels and King of Canterbury F2 titles.

Although he did not compete in all the 2003-04 national series, his best finish was fourth at the Levels round, held in Timaru. He also finished 6th in the John Britten Memorial that year, held at Ruapuna.

He had some mixed results in the 2004-05 season when he competed seriously for the first time in the National Sports Production Championships finishing a tough and very competitive season with a national ranking of 10th.Despite not riding all season until his new bike arrived a month before the nationals started.

Some excellent results during the 2005-06 season saw him riding for John Hepburn on a Kawasaki where he finished seventh overall in the national series gaining several top five race finishes. ? a result he wants to build on this season as a member of the Triple R Suzuki race team and try his best to win his first national title.

JAMES SMITH RACING CV

2005-06
3rd King of Levels Senior Class
1st Paul Nixon memorial endurance race at Teretonga
Finished seventh overall in the National Sports Production (600) Championships
Finished sixth in the New Zealand Grand Prix Sports Production (600) Class

2004-05
1st King of Levels Formula 2 title
10th overall in the National Sports Production (600) Championships

2003-04
1st King of Levels Formula 2 title
1st King of Canterbury Formula 2 title
Best finish in the National Sports Production (600) was 4th at Levels round, Timaru. 6th in the John Britten Memorial Race for
Sports Production (600) class, held at Ruapuna