INTERVIEW: Naas' James Roe Jnr, an instant success on his US venture

It was around this time last year when James Roe Jnr was, like most young lads and girls of his age, awaiting his Leaving Cert results and the points he required for College.

However when he duly got the points he was hoping for it was decision time in more ways than one for the Naas man.

Having, enjoyed much success behind the wheel throughout the 32 counties, and across the pond, in the last few years, James Jnr also had the opportunity to head to The US to pursue his motor racing career.

After much soul searching, sitting down with his mam Ann Marie and dad James Snr, along with his Uncle Michael, the decision was made to head to the US. With James's dad running his own business (Roe Autocraft, Sallins Road, Naas) and Uncle Michael regarded as one of the greatest motor racing drivers this country ever produced, the racing game was something that James Jnr grew up with.

Michael won the 1978 British Formula Ford Festival; the British Formula 3 and European Formula 3 championship while in 1984 became the only Irish man to win the prestigious Can-Am Championship while regularly competing in the Le Mans; Daytona and most of the biggest events on the calendar at that time.

Michael doesn't pull any punches says James Jnr, “if he though I would not make it he would not hesitate to tell me, he calls it as he sees it and advised me to head Stateside and see how things work out; I'm glad I took the advice.”

James Jnr had picked up many accolades at this stage of his career including Young Driver of the Month for June 2017 and again in April 2018; he was also nominated twice for the prestigious Sexton Trophy and while he did not pick up the award, his nomination was an indication of just how far he had come in the world of motor sport at a very young age.

Now back home for a few weeks following his first season in The US, James Jnr looked back on what can only be described as a hectic year when we spoke last week.

“A good year overall; obviously a bit of a gamble to go to America in the first place but we decided to take the opportunity.

“I was really thrown in at the deep end, especially as no matter what track I went to there was no practice days (if you had extra budget or more sponsorship you could work around that) as I was on a deal that did not allow for that so I would arrive at the track and quickly try and figure it all out, which was a challenge but overall a good year, ups and downs; some good wins; and I made the podium at every event, which was very encouraging.”

So how did you touch base with folk in the US?

“We knew some people out there and Michael (uncle) had contacts and a friend of mine asked me to go over and test some of his cars so I went in February and the team he was with then offered me a place, based in Wisconsin so between the programme I was racing in and the other programme (which was the one I went originally to drive in); we were very busy on the road two weeks every month; but it was great and a big learning curve looking after myself for six months, a real eye opener and that's for sure” adding with a laugh,” and no mammy to turn to.”

So your first season in the US is over now what are your plans?

“This year I have been nominated again for the Motor Sport Ireland Young Driver of the Year, my third time; interviews will be held in a few weeks; six drivers nominated which will be cut back to three before the winner is announced. I will be hoping it will be third time lucky for me and with a prize of €50,000 from the Irish Sports Council and Beta Tools for the winner that would be a big boost, plus it is a real added bonus when you can say you are being backed by the Irish Sports Council.

“There is then a shoot-out in America called the Mazda Road to Indy; they pick 20 young drivers from around the world and bring them out to Texas for a week in December and from that shoot-out the winner receives $200,000 worth of a scholarship which would put you up on the first step in the Mazda Indy, a series called the USF 2,000.

“I actually drove in one of those events this year, which was another big break; 100,000 spectators, and in Indianapolis; without a doubt one of the biggest things that happened me this year. As for the Shoot-Out hopefully I get invited to that, so that's about it for 2018.”

So onto 2019 and what are your immediate plans?

“Now I'm focusing on next year, raising funds, sponsorship and all that entails; a big jump in the budget needed to be competitive in the Series I want to be in; which entails three separate steps so it's important I get on the first rung and continue after that; the winner of the full series gets his entire season paid for the following year, so that is massive.

“Without funding you can't get too far; in many ways I am fortunate as there are teams offering me deals and asking me to come test for them but like anything in life if you want to be among the best you have to pay for the best; you have to bring funding to support the team.”

James readily admits that the strides he has made in the last 12 months have been huge.

“If you had told me even four months ago I would be in the position I am in now I would have laughed but the motor racing world is very small, word gets around very quickly if you are performing but the difference really is if I had stayed this side of the world and won every race I competed in and then went over to the US and told them that, they would look at me no different than if I told them I won no races; they judge you simply on what they see over there, nothing else.

And the sponsorship?

“I am involved with two guys, Christopher O'Connor, based in New York and another guy, John Moloney who was head of Volvo USA for a long time, I am now in with them and they are fighting my corner as regards sponsorship.

“A number of people back home are also doing things for me and they got me over the line last year; all along I have been skimping and scraping; getting deals here and there, now I need to move on to the next level; need to go in and do it right.

“One guy in Jacksonville, who has been funding Team Ireland John Campion, a motor sport nut, loves helping drivers and he has helped me a lot this year, he is keen on next year and without him I would be absolutely lost; it's people like that you need; vital to get to the right person with the right backing.

“So people in New York; people back home, lads like John Campion that's what I'm hoping for and trying to nail things down in the next few weeks.”

If I ask you where will you be in 12 months what would you say.

“I'd say I know where I want to be in 12 months time, I would love to be sitting down here saying I am after winning the USF2000 Championship, the first step on the Mazda Road to Indy, and have the following season covered but you never know, there are so many variables; you know where you want to be; can be as determined as you want to be but until you get to that day you just remain focused and plan year by year.

“As for 2019 I am going back for some tests; don't know where I will be based; depends on what team I am with; hopefully have a team in place before Christmas and take it from there beginning in March.”

For one so young James Roe Jnr is a hugely impressive and confident young man; so focused, level headed, determined and has achieved so much in such a short space of time.

We wish him well.

Watch this space!