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Perennially considered the most important race for manufacturers, expect competition of the highest echelon when it comes to 2024 Superstock themed, Mountain Course action.
The battle for class in next month’s three-lap races, looks like being between Honda and BMW with the odd Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha in the mix for forthright finishes.
One of the firm pre-race favourites must be class runner-up from 2019, Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison.
Harrison showed the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Honda’s possibilities during the Northwest 200, blasting the existing Superstock lap record on route to third in the feature Superbike race.
Honda back on top with their notable new signing? Extremely possible, same is Michael Dunlop gaining a first stock 1000 TT success since 2014.
Competing again under his own outfit’s MD Racing banner, astride latest spec Honda machinery, the hunger, the strive for creating moments of pure road racing brilliance, remains in bucket loads.
As with class lap record holder, outright lap record holder Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW), the big question mark will revolve around a recently picked up injury. Should everything click into place, niggly issues soften, Superstock victories could be destined to be acquired again by 21st century TT icons Dunlop and Hickman.
Established now as an undoubted international roads ‘Alien’, Davey Todd’s stock continues to rise and rise.
Topping the National Superstock 1000 Championship table following wins at Oulton Park and Donington Park, the Milwaukee BMW rider starred across the Northwest 200, claiming Man of The Meeting honours after three wins, two second place finishes.
Former team-mate Milenco by Padgetts Conor Cummins, like Todd has strong designs on race wins. Can you imagine the reaction on IOM shores, if he achieves a long-awaited ambition.
Names not mentioned yet who will also likely contend for top five finishes, rostrum finishes include Honda Racing UK’s evergreen John McGuinness MBE, Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW).
Privateers Championship king Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki’s David Johnson and Dakar Rally participant, WTF (We’re the Future) Racing’s James Hillier.
Sticking in extra depth to the stock 1000 field include Michael Browne (In Competition Aprilia), Cookstown four wins hero Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Sam West, Craig Neve, illustrious Bathams Racing team-mate Michael Rutter.
Phil Crowe, Shaun Anderson (KH Hire Honda), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing), Michael Evans, Joey Thompson, Matt Stevenson (Dafabet Racing).
Jim Hind (North Lincolnshire Components), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), Ryan Cringle, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing), Michael Evans, Gary Johnson, Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing UK).
2022 Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney, Forest Dunn, James Chawke, Michael ‘Jack’ Russell targeting ten finishes from ten race starts, Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
There are additionally overseas aces competing, Julian Trummer (Jackson Racing), David Datzer (CD Racing), Stefano Bonetti, Michal Dokoupil, 2022 Macau GP winner Erno Kostamo, AJ Venter, Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing) and debutants Patrick Hoff, South African Superbike Champion Michael White.
More record breaking, history making Superstock lap speeds? If all falls into place, the weather is spot on, it’s a definite yes not if.
I’ve stated the word Champion a lot in this article, all those competing front running, mid pack, plucky privateers, newcomers are all Champions, anyone taking on the might, the challenge of the Mountain Course deserves this accolade.
Here’s to riveting, absorbing Royal London 360, PE Superstock TT tussles.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson, Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Harrison showed the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Honda’s possibilities during the Northwest 200, blasting the existing Superstock lap record on route to third in the feature Superbike race.
Honda back on top with their notable new signing? Extremely possible, same is Michael Dunlop gaining a first stock 1000 TT success since 2014.
Competing again under his own outfit’s MD Racing banner, astride latest spec Honda machinery, the hunger, the strive for creating moments of pure road racing brilliance, remains in bucket loads.
As with class lap record holder, outright lap record holder Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW), the big question mark will revolve around a recently picked up injury. Should everything click into place, niggly issues soften, Superstock victories could be destined to be acquired again by 21st century TT icons Dunlop and Hickman.
Established now as an undoubted international roads ‘Alien’, Davey Todd’s stock continues to rise and rise.
Topping the National Superstock 1000 Championship table following wins at Oulton Park and Donington Park, the Milwaukee BMW rider starred across the Northwest 200, claiming Man of The Meeting honours after three wins, two second place finishes.
Former team-mate Milenco by Padgetts Conor Cummins, like Todd has strong designs on race wins. Can you imagine the reaction on IOM shores, if he achieves a long-awaited ambition.
Names not mentioned yet who will also likely contend for top five finishes, rostrum finishes include Honda Racing UK’s evergreen John McGuinness MBE, Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW).
Privateers Championship king Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki’s David Johnson and Dakar Rally participant, WTF (We’re the Future) Racing’s James Hillier.
Sticking in extra depth to the stock 1000 field include Michael Browne (In Competition Aprilia), Cookstown four wins hero Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Sam West, Craig Neve, illustrious Bathams Racing team-mate Michael Rutter.
Phil Crowe, Shaun Anderson (KH Hire Honda), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing), Michael Evans, Joey Thompson, Matt Stevenson (Dafabet Racing).
Jim Hind (North Lincolnshire Components), Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), Ryan Cringle, Paul Jordan (Jackson Racing), Michael Evans, Gary Johnson, Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing UK).
2022 Irish Road Race Superbike Champion Michael Sweeney, Forest Dunn, James Chawke, Michael ‘Jack’ Russell targeting ten finishes from ten race starts, Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson.
There are additionally overseas aces competing, Julian Trummer (Jackson Racing), David Datzer (CD Racing), Stefano Bonetti, Michal Dokoupil, 2022 Macau GP winner Erno Kostamo, AJ Venter, Jonathan Goetschy (Optimark Road Racing) and debutants Patrick Hoff, South African Superbike Champion Michael White.
More record breaking, history making Superstock lap speeds? If all falls into place, the weather is spot on, it’s a definite yes not if.
I’ve stated the word Champion a lot in this article, all those competing front running, mid pack, plucky privateers, newcomers are all Champions, anyone taking on the might, the challenge of the Mountain Course deserves this accolade.
Here’s to riveting, absorbing Royal London 360, PE Superstock TT tussles.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson, Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
