 | This is the interview I had with the rather shy James Redpath who I have been trying to get to interview, well at long last I pined him down, It was like picking a wilik trying to get him to come forward with the info,only for Colin one of his race mechanics prompting him,and reminding him of his achievements. James Redpath was brought up in the Highfield estate in the greater Shankill area. He was educated in the Boys Model were he spent most of his time playing football. He played for St. Andrews boys were he had a very good coach in Joe Kincaid who incidentally was the coach for the mighty Glasgow Rangers, Joe saw great potential in James and let the Rangers know how good he was, they were not long in snapping the boy wonder up and signed him on apprentice forms. He had trial with Liverpool. Chelsea,Arsenal before putting his name to his beloved boyhood heroes Rangers. He was 2 years with the Gers when he received a bad injury to his back which seen his careerer almost over,he returned to Belfast were he signed for Linfield, but he soon realised that he was always going to be troubled with back problems so he went to his first love Motorbikes which he never really got out of his system as while at Ibrox he was not allowed to ride motorbikes in case of getting hurt while out on one,he tells me he used to have a 250cc that he would take out for a spin that the Rangers did not know he had? He was also a school boy International and played for the under 15,16,and 18 teams. He tells me that his late father gave him a choice either football or motorbikes, when James chose bikes his father went out and sold the bike so that he could concentrate on football. |
When I asked who was the greatest player he played with he said that it was Ian Durant of Rangers,he was one of the most skilful players around at that time.
James tells me that his father used to take him to the motorbikes and that is were he got all the interest and thought that he to some day would like to race motorbikes. When asked about other interests outside racing he replied Bikes,Bikes.
Posisons so far,have been quite good,as he does not have the same sort of sponsors as all the big boys have. He as a number of top ten finishes and there two races which stick out the most. The first road race he ever rode in was at Kells in Southern Ireland were he won which was back in 2005 so you can see he has not been racing that long. So with proper backing he could be doing a lot better that is not to say that His backers Jonathan Kitson, who owns Kitson car sales does not do a good job. So come on you big bugs show some apparition for one of our local lads and give him the sponsorship he deserves. This year was special as this was his first time to try the famous T.T.course on the Isle of Man,were he competed in this years Manx Grand Prix, were he finished 3RD.
He tells me his plans for the 2009 season is to try and get better bikes and do all the International events, he will be entering the Isle of Man T.T. God willing and as many of the road races that money can afford.
I asked him who his No1 road racer was and he said over all it was the one and only late Joey Dunlop who was a great competitor and a great help to others when required, a truly great friend who is still sadly missed.
James is a great admirer of Ryan Farquhar and loves to see him doing well, he too is a down to earth bloke who just loves road racing.
Where do you see road racing going from here James, I think it will get even better as there are a lot of new safety measures taking place and this can only be good for the riders and spectators. There is also plenty of young riders coming along into the sport, we also need more publicity and seminars to make the public more aware of this hidden treasure which can promote Northern Ireland in a better light. The potential is there for tourism on the same line as the Isle of Man,were you could have a full weeks programmes and the bikers would come from far and near to stay in our hotels and guest houses etc. for the events, it's worth a try?
What kind of music do you like James, he chuckles of course Country Gareth Brooks and the likes of.
What is your favourite meal when eating out, Chinese or Indian, of coarse its better if the boys pay for it.HaHa.
What sort of team helps out with you, They are great team consisting of Eddie,Roy,Sam and Peter, they did a fantastic job all year and I can't thank them enough,so i'm looking forward to having them with me next year.
I seem to remember that they got it wrong at Killalane (something about the brake pads,know what I mean lads)
O I nearly for got to mention the security you have when you are at the races, I hope you are feeding him well, you know who i'm referring too (the dog, REBEL are you sure you have the right rebel, HaHa).
Well many thanks James for a frank incite to your careerer thus far, wishing you all the best for the future. God Bless you all.
Jackie
© Road Racers 4 U
