By I’m sure those keeping a close eye yesterday on TT+, would have witnessed Rob Hodson having a fair tip-off, from which he emerged unscathed.
Anyway, putting this topic to one side, SMT Racing’s Hodson is an undoubted one to watch throughout race week.
A 130 Mph Club member since last year’s Senior TT, he’s grown, grown in stature at the world’s most famous, illustrious road race.
Road Racing News, managed on Wednesday afternoon, a swift catch-up with the twice Manx Grand Prix winner.
When asked, how he fared during opening free-practice, qualifying sessions on Monday, he said:
“We got seven laps in on Monday, one each on the small bikes, two on the bike untimed and then another two on the big bike, one on the 600 in qualifying, so a good start.
Track conditions were just a bit little sketchy here and there, Braddan and Glen Helen, rest of the track was in pretty good condition, and we enjoyed getting a few laps in.”
Summing up expectations lap-speed wise for TT 2024, Hodson, fifth, seventh quickest respectively in last night’s timed Super Twins, Supersport competition, stated:
“If we could improve, I know you get to that speed and the progress slows a little bit but first qualifying we did 126, so that’s a good start.
There’s nothing wrong with the SMT Fireblade so if we can just make a few tweaks here and there, make it easier to ride, get the practice in that’s what helped us last year to the 130-lap.”
Adding that first impressions of his Super Twins steed (S1-R Paton) were good, Hodson is quietly keeping close attention on the outright TT Privateers Championship title.
“That would be amazing to try and get our hands on that.”
Hodson’s TT 2024 race outings, open this afternoon with the re-scheduled, one hour later Monster Energy Supersport opener (new start time – 2:30 PM).
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
