James started his motorsport career all the way back in 2001 when he was just 12 years old. He had done a few years of driving before that in fun-karts with friends and family. It was then he realised his true passion in the sport and moved up to a proper racing kart in 2001. With the support of his family behind him, he did a full year of karting, and despite bad luck, he had several good results including three race wins.

      2003 was his best year of karting though, as he teamed up with Malaysian karter Syafiq Ali and won the Dunlop AMC Endurance Championship even up against much more experienced drivers. With his karting success he was then selected to test a single seater car, known as the Formula Malaysia, or a Formula Hayabusa as its known in Japan. These cars were a big step up from the karts, with a sequential gearbox and a top speed of 240kph.

      He competed two Formula One support races in these machines, one in 2004, and again in 2005. In 2004 he finished as the top rookie in seventh overall. But, in 2005, he surprised many by getting himself onto the podium in third position despite no testing or practice before the event. It was in 2005 that he started his rally career though, and for news on that, check the latest news and results!