By On the final lap of last week’s Milwaukee Senior TT, SMT Racing’s Rob Hodson accomplished a long-held ambition of joining the prized, 130 mph lap speed club.
Only the 26th racer to achieve this feat, Hodson’s new PB lap speed of 130.327 mph (17 minutes 22.210 seconds) enabled him to also clinch a top ten finish in the blue-riband TT race.
Speaking post-race, the 2022 Classic Superbike Manx GP winner stated:
“It’s been something that was kind of said, before we got over there.
Everyone wants it don’t they but getting it is a lot bigger challenge than what you think.
Done a 126 previous to coming here this year, so, to go four mph average faster it’s been a mix of everything.
The team, the bike, the set-up and a bit from myself, so made up with the day.”
When asked If you could sum up TT 2023 in one word, Hodson who will be back at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough next month, for the Cock O’The North meeting, stated:
“It would have to be challenging! We’ve had plenty changeable moods in the camp, just based on we’ve lost an engine on each bike, we had the slip off from the Superbike race when we were on for an eight place possibly and a 130 lap.
So, from then it’s kind of set us back, so yeah, it’s been through the week building up, so I would say challenging but enjoyable, it’s been great to have the full crew here with me.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
