By The 718th different top three TT finisher in history, SMT Racing’s Rob Hodson realised a long-held ambition on Tuesday evening, by securing third from the opening, Metzeler title sponsored Super Twins race.
Before joining a select array of competitors, to win Manx Grand Prix races, step on a TT podium, the Southern 100 Super Twins lap record carrier, stated earlier in the week about this goal:
“It would be nice, I don’t see why it’s out of reach, there’s a lot of luck involved. If the bike stays reliable, shouldn’t be a million miles off.”
A very creditable sixth from Monday’s three-lap Monster Energy Supersport race, Hodson finished the prior RST X D3O Superbike encounter, eleventh.
Aboard two-year Fireblade Honda metal, it was the fifteen times Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough race winner, first TT race outing on full blown Superbike tackle.
Speaking about his premier races’ apparatus, he stated:
“A two-year-old, 2023 bike, it was built brand new but were happy enough with the people we’ve got around us to operate with the laptop side of things because that’s how these bikes are these days, so we just need to get the laps in and see how we do.”
When asked if there is any section, part of the fabled, other worldly Mountain Course that felt different in comparison to 2024 circulations, the 130 Mph Club member, said:
“Were they had the work up on the Mountain, were they had a spring coming through, Brandywell, so that was quite a big, there’s a bump as you go around it now, you’ve got to be kind of off the brakes and on the power because it does unsettle the bike.
So, that was I wouldn’t say an improvement but its necessary work that needed doing.
Everywhere else is in pretty good order, there was nothing noticeable for me, that I could say that’s 100 percent better now, we can go faster around that.”
“But the track’s in pretty good shape and you’ve still got the old bumps as well, which you kind of need, if ever I was riding around Silverstone, it wouldn’t be the same would it.
Everything’s in good order, obviously the organisers and the Island have put the work in, to keep the roads in good shape.”
Confirmed to ride again at the Classic TT for Greenall Racing (astride ZX7R Kawasaki equipment), with whom he’s enjoyed Classic Superbike Manx GP race glory in 2022, his next planned roads outing once TT 2025 finalises, sees him back at Scarborough, for the Cock O’The North (21st-22nd June).
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
