TrackDNA CREW
Writer
James Sheppard
James grew up in a small Canadian prairie shop run by his father, an aircraft mechanic who believed in doing things properly or not at all. Long before racing motorcycles, James was learning why propellers get safety-wired and what happens when small parts fail in big moments. He started racing in 1999 on a Kawasaki EX500, wiring bolts by hand before he ever owned proper pliers. Today, he blends aviation-rooted discipline with real-world track experience.
First Motorcycle
1970 Honda CT70
Favorite Team
Red Bull KTM
Favorite Track
Hallet Motorsports Park
Favorite Music
Tragically Hip (check them out – awesome Canadian band)
Off the Racing Line
Discipline & Responsibility
There’s something about learning safety wiring from a guy who worked on propellers that sticks with you. That kind of upbringing builds respect for consequences. I like that James doesn’t treat prep like a checkbox – he treats it like responsibility. The bleeding fingers, the wasted wire, the stubborn discipline – that’s the stuff that makes a rider last. This is paddock craft, not Instagram polish.
Real Glimpses
In His Element
