By Sixteenth in Sunday’s RST Superbike race, on route setting a new personal best lap speed of 128.312 mph, moving to forty fourth on the all-time fastest TT riders list, WH Racing Powered by Dynobike’s Marcus Simpson, already has achieved what he set out to do at TT 2026, as outlined last week to Road Racing News.
“I think more with the TT it’s about lap-times and it’s not the place you go hunting for stuff, I think realistically what makes me happy, is if I go faster than I did last year.
If I keep improving then that’s the main thing and obviously keep things safe and if I’m feeling it on the day, I’ll have a go at that, and everything will be good.”
Ninth, eleventh from the sole Superstock, final Superbike race at the Briggs Equipment Northwest 200, ‘Spartacus’ admitted that the last two races saved it from been a complete waste of time and made it into a good event.
“The WH Racing lads on the Honda, we just had a few issues, got a stone through the rad, outside anybody’s control, can’t help that.
Then had a clutch issue on the Triumph and I was like I’m ready to go home, obviously with the events on Thursday as well it was particularly challenging.
But then a ninth and an eleventh, I wanted a top ten at the Northwest, that sort of was the aim, that was one tick in a box for this year.
So, that was a good do and as I say it really did save that event from being somewhat of a waste of time, it was worth it because of that.”
Prior to the NW200, TT, the Manxman’s opening roads scene stints of 2026 were at Oliver’s Mount for the Bob Smith Spring Cup and the sun drenched Cookstown 100.
Orritor circuit action, particularly was productive with third place finishes in the Open (A) Invitation, Grand Final races.
Reflecting on what he regards as 100 percent his best C100 tenure to date, he stated:
“The weather makes a massive difference; it was my best time there on a big bike for sure.
Before Michael (Dunlop MBE) setting a-new lap-record, we were about 0.7 less than a second off the lap-record, the original one and the Honda was a handful around there, but we handled it.
The Triumph, just had no go in it and I don’t know if this was to do with the issue we had with the clutch, whether it was creating some drag.”
Simpson the 2023 Senior Manx Grand Prix runner-up, went onto disclose to Road Racing News, his race season schedule after TT 2026 will include multiple Irish national meets, the Southern 100 and Classic TT, astride the Duckshaw Racing Classic Superbike and an ex Des Colins Kawasaki, thanks to John Grimshaw for the new Pre-Injection machines derived Junior 600 class.
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
