We met up with James and Danny Webb, a pair of very friendly, charismatic brothers from Pembury in Kent, to see what their hopes and plans are for the coming season.
Danny started competitive motorcycling in junior motocross, clinching first place in East Kent and Mid Sussex in his first season. After moving on to mini-moto racing, he became South East Junior mini-moto champion.
In 2004, Danny raced an Aprilia in the MRO Superteens, setting lap records and finishing on the rostrum in every round. In the following year came the chance of a 125GP ride and also the opportunity of joining the MotoGP Academy run by Dorna in Spain.
Only just a teenager, Danny had to get used to being away from home while he raced in Spain. Despite breaking his arm twice, the young racer put in some great performances to enhance his reputation. In 2007 Danny was offered a ride with the DeGraff MotoGP team on board a Honda.
Last season he was on an Aprilia 125 with the same team, having a mixed bag of good results, crashes and injuries. What he did achieve though, was to put himself firmly in the limelight amongst Britain’s promising crop of teenage stars.
James also rode junior motocross, progressing to a 125GP Honda in 2003, winning the King of Clubs championship in his first season. The following season he was competing in the British Championship with mixed results on an underpowered bike.
During the course of 2005, James decided to move to 600’s, riding a Yamaha R6. The R6 Cup was the next target, although he had no practice bike during the season, James managed to finish a creditable 3rd in the championship.
2007 saw James start the year on a Team Buff Kawasaki bike, however he switched to an R6 to compete in the Virgin Media Cup and by the end of the year was on an MSS Discovery Kawasaki. Last season James rode for Padgetts in the British Supersports class With the help of his very experienced team mate John McGuinness and boss Clive Padgett, James finished the year strongly and is set up for a competitive season, running at the front and challenging for the championship.
SEB - Which are your favourite circuits?
JW - I love Cadwell Park (James got a podium here last season), especially The Mountain, lots of up and downs.
DW - I would have to pick Phillip Island in Australia, plenty of fast corners which I love.
SEB - How do you prepare for the season?
JW - Plenty of fitness training everyday and Danny often joins me.
SEB - How do you fit in work and schooling?
JW - I was working in a gym but had problems having the weekends to race. I am a qualified personal trainer so would do this when possible.
DW - My school weren’t particularly understanding about my racing. It would have been different if I played football, I made the effort to do as much as possible but it became too difficult.
SEB - Danny, have you recovered from the shoulder injury last season?
DW - I am back to full fitness and it’s no problem. I hope to run at the front this year. There was a slight language barrier with my team (DeGraff Moto GP based in Holland), but now I have much more input on the set-up side so am more confident.
SEB - James, do you prefer superbikes or supersports?
DW - The superbikes are great, very fast, but the supersport racing is much closer with loads of overtaking and close action.
SEB - Your dad was a british sidecar champion also racing 125’s and 250’s so was obviously a big influence on you. What other riders have inspired you?
JW - It’s got to be Troy Bayliss over the last few years and Kenny Roberts Junior. He not only won the premier championship but was still competitive on an underperforming bike years after.
DW - I know Kevin Schwantz and he has helped me a lot and given me some great tips, plus Barry Sheene and Rossi, of course!
SEB - Danny, you have completed your CBT, any plans to ride a road bike?
DW - Not really, I have my driving test coming up soon.
SEB - Do you see much of the MotoGP riders?
DW - Hayden, Hopkins and James Toseland are really friendly, Rossi gets mobbed wherever he goes, so it’s difficult for him to spend time with other riders.
SEB - What are your goals in your career?
JW - British Supersport, then World Supersport, WSB then MotoGP
DW - 125GP championship then at some point into MotoGP.
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
