James Westmoreland
James Westmoreland, also known as 'Westy', is an English motorcycle racer. In the 2024 season, he will ride a Honda CBR 1000RR in the World Endurance Championship for Honda Viltais Racing.
Westmoreland competed in the British 125 cc and the British Superbike Championship. After finishing twice as runner-up in the competitive British 125GP field, he moved into Supersport in 2007, where he claimed the Cup Championship in his debut season. A move into the main supersport class in 2008 saw him spend several seasons running at the front, taking fourteen podiums and four wins with a best Championship standing of second.
In 2012, he competed in the British Superbike Championship with Team WFR and achieved the riders cup for that season, finishing 7th in the championship and narrowly missing out on the Showdown.
In 2016, he competed in the British Supersport Championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6.
In 2018, he finished 3rd in the British Supersport Championship with Gearlink Kawasaki, with several podium finishes, including a win at the final round at Brands Hatch. Westmoreland rejoined Gearlink Kawasaki for the remainder of the 2019 British Supersport Championship.
For the 2019-2020 World Endurance Championship, he joined Team #50 Motors Events aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Westmoreland previously took victory at the 24 Hours Le Mans in April 2019 at Team 50 Motors Events, finishing first in the Superstock class and 7th overall.. The Motors Events 50 team also finished a strong third in the Bol D'or 24 hour.
For 2020, Westmoreland will ride for Gearlink Kawasaki in the British Supersport Championship.
Following his strong season finish of 3rd in the Supersport Championship, Westmoreland made the permanent move to the World Endurance Championship, where he remains for his fourth season with Viltais Racing who in 2023 made the change from Yamaha to Honda.
Career
Early career
Westmoreland began racing motocross in 1995, and switched to circuit racing in 2001. He was runner-up in the British 125cc championship in both 2005 and 2006.British Supersport Championship 2007-10
In 2007, Westmoreland moved up to the British Supersport Championship with the Centurion Racing team. Entered in the Cup class for private teams, he came 9th overall in the standings with a best of 4th at Thruxton, winning the privateers' cup that year.In 2008, he finished 4th overall, with second places at Knockhill and Croft.
In 2009, he set up his own JW Racing team just 2 weeks before the season, to campaign Glen Richards' 2008 championship winning Triumph Daytona 675. He started the season slowly with midpoint finishes, but he came into form at Snetterton, grabbing a 3rd place; results continued to improve with a 2nd at Knockhill, and his first supersport win came at Brands Hatch GP. A second win at Silverstone sealed his third place in the championship.
British Superbike Championship
2015: 19th - JG Speedfit Kawasaki2014: 13th - Buildbase BMW
2013: 5th - Buildbase BMW
2012: 7th - Team WFR Honda
2011: 14th - Motorpoint Yamaha
British Supersport Championship
2020: Gearlink Kawasaki2019: Gearlink Kawasaki
2018: 3rd Gearlink Kawasaki
2016: Came BPT Yamaha
2010: 2nd - Came Yamaha
2009: 3rd - JW Racing Triumph
2008: 4th - Centurion Honda
2007: 7th - Centurion Honda
British Supersport Cup Championship
2007: CHAMPION - Centurion HondaWorld Supersport Championship
2010: 11th - British Round2009: 11th - British Round
British 125GP Championship
2006: 2nd - KRP Honda2005: 2nd - KRP Honda
2004: 28th - Team Nvidia Honda
Junior Championships
2005: CHAMPION - ACU Academy Championship2003: MRO 125cc Championship
2002: 5th - Aprilia Superteen Championship
Other achievements
2005: Spanish 125cc Championship2001: Road Racing
1995-2000: Schoolboy Motor-cross