By * Post setting a first TT qualifying, record lap-speed, Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison admitted that his Superbike was very lively.
“It’s always good to be the fastest, it lifts the team and tells you that you’re going in the right direction.
The Superbike time was good but the bike’s very lively, we need to settle the handling down and make it easier to ride, so that it doesn’t take so much out of me over race distance.”
* The 30 times TT podium finisher added his thoughts on Wednesday night Supersport, Superstock voyages.
“The Superstock’s doing well; I only got one lap on it, so I want to get some more laps under my belt, but it’s good to go out on that because it’s very similar to the Superbike so we can try a few things with it.
The Supersport is running fine. On the quickest lap that I got in with that, I got held up by loads of people. We just caught loads of people, but we made some changes to the handling after yesterday and they went in the right direction.
We’re working through everything, I think that between the Superstock and Superbike we’ll end up in a good place and there’s just a couple of little tweaks to try on the Supersport. It’s going well.”
* Team-mate, 23 times TT victor John McGuinness MBE, reflections on Superbike/Superstock Q1 were:
“I did two laps on the Superbike, did a flying lap on that and we’re not a million miles away. And the Superstock with one lap is fine for now.
It’s just finding your feet again and all the years of experience don’t prepare you for going off down Glencrutchery Road and Bray Hill for the first time at full speed.
Your eyes are on stalks and it’s a shock to the system but we’re alright. I’m not going to be too hard on myself. We’ve just got to sit down with the team, look at a few details and go again tomorrow. We’re in a good place.”
* 43 racers set yesterday 120-mph + laps.
* Solo racers registering new unofficial best lap speeds were newcomers Mitch Rees (123.050), Barry Burrell (116.566), Crowe Performance team’s Maurizio Bottalico (121.025) and Loris Majcan (118.273).
* The Melbray Racing Paton, piloted by Dominic Herbertson now has a Moto 2 derived mudguard.
* At this moment in time, it seems no rider at TT 2025 will be astride the KTS Macadam Triumph Factory Racing mount.
* There are no warm-up laps for solo races.
* Famous current, ex racers in attendance on Wednesday, through today have included Storm Stacey, Dave Bell, Ian Simpson, Brian Morrison, Eddie Laycock and Indycar legend Dario Franchitti.
* BE/RK Racing now have sponsorship from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Quotes courtesy of Honda Racing UK press team.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
