James Haydon got his passion for speed through his father David, a doctor who loved fast cars and motorcycles. He bought Haydon his first motorcycle aged eight which he would ride in his parents' garden. He quickly moved into motocross and worked his way up into the top 40 in British Schoolboy Motocross.
Haydon swapped to road racing in 1990 at the age of 16. In his first year, he finished 2nd in the British 125 Ministock Championship, where he began his friendship with Neil Hodgson who was also starting in ministocks that season. In 1991, Haydon moved into the British 125cc Championship and won the EMRA 125cc Championship. In 1992, he was recruited for Team Great Britain by Ron Haslam. Haydon raced a Yamaha TZ250 and won his first British Championship race at Silverstone that same year.
In 1993, he performed well at the British 250cc Championship but lost the final race after the camera he was carrying for TV came loose, jamming his back wheel and causing him to crash. The same season, he competed in the 1993 British 500cc Grand Prix, finishing 11th to become the youngest ever British points-scorer in a top-division World Championship race. He finished of his mentor, Ron Haslam. In 1994 he won his first British Superbike Championship race along with two more national 250cc victories that year.
In 1995, Haydon competed in the top level 500cc world championship as a privateer (1995 for Harris and 1996 for WCM). He decided to move to the WSBK in 1997. Haydon quit after the bike broke down fourteen times. His best result was a 9th-placed finish.
Haydon returned to the British Superbike championship in 1998. He raced for Team Suzuki, Team Red Bull Ducati, Team Yamaha and Team Kawasaki. A mid-season car accident damaged Haydon's neck and nerves badly, affecting his training and performance. He twice finished 4th in the standings and won a total of 12 British Superbike Championship races.
In 2002, Haydon joined Carl Fogarty's Foggy Petronas in the WSBK, developing the new bike for the first year. It proved unreliable and Haydon had to leap from the motorcycle twice when it blew up during a ride. His high point of the season was a best result of 7th in the world in Japan.
In 2004, Haydon stood in at Virgin MobileYamaha in the British Superbike series. He finished top Yamaha in Britain. 2004 was the only season in Haydon's career that he never crashed, even in practice. At the end of the season he also raced in the last few MotoGP's (World Championship) for Kenny Roberts Proton team. His best result an impressive 12th place in Qatar.
Due to his success in the 2004 season, Haydon he signed a two-year deal for Airwaves Ducati. A pre-season testing injury at Albacete saw Gregorio Lavilla take over his ride. Haydon filled in for various teams throughout 2005, and eventually ending up at Team Suzuki after John Reynolds was injured.
Haydon stayed with the Team for 2006 alongside 2003 champion Shane Byrne. After a strong start at Oulton Park on identical bikes, Haydon was given a new bike, which he disliked. In race 2, a brake problem caused Haydon to collide with Dean Thomas, leaving both Thomas and Haydon injured. Haydon returned to race later that season. The incident was reviewed by an RAC panel and Haydon was cleared of all responsibility when the data logging proved the problem had been outside his control.
For 2007 Haydon returned to Virgin Yamaha alongside Tommy Hill in a Team he had excelled with in the past. Later that year he signed as 'Super Sub' for Hawk Kawasaki and in his first race with them he finished top of his team.
For 2008 Hawk Kawasaki offered Haydon a season contract. However two weeks before the start of the race season they were forced to pull out when one of their main sponsors withdrew.
Haydone was contacted by Eurosport and decided to leave racing. He has never raced at the top level since.
After a long career my time had come to retire from racing bikes. It was a difficult choice for sure as there is never a 'right' time as such. You normally find riders only retire after really bad injuries and I've been very fortunate to avoid those. Amazing really and I'm thankful for that. Especially as I have been racing bikes most weekends for 25 years now. From a small kid on a dirt field all the way to the best circuits in the world in front of millions of people. I've had an amazing time too! I've travelled the world and spanned some really cool era's in bikes. From 165 Bhp 500cc V4 2 Strokes to 240 Bhp 1000cc 4 strokes. I've raced them all. From the likes of Schwantz, Doohan, Criville, Cadalora up to Bayliss, Biaggi and Rossi. Wish I had beaten a few more of them mind you! But seriously, I feel blessed to have done something I really loved and been paid well for it. Thank you everyone! Now however, it's time for the next chapter of my life. I can't wait for the challenge!
James Haydon's parents, Beverley (née Rhodes) and David Haydon, are both retired and live close by. His Dad still owns and rides many motorcycles. Haydon has three sisters Annabel, Susannah and Charlotte. Haydon is married to Jo Wybrew[4] and they have three children, Zac, Maya and Lexi. The couple lived in Andorra for many years[5] but now reside back in England[6] where Haydon works as a property developer.[7] He is the nephew of designer Zandra Rhodes.[8]
Former BSB and WSB Champion Neil Hodgson said of Haydon "For sure he was one of the fastest riders I've ever seen who never managed to win a British or World Championship. But he has his head screwed on and a good view of life, so I am sure he will succeed in whatever he chooses to do now. Go get 'em James".[This quote needs a citation]
Career statistics
Superbike World Championship
Races by year
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
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