Honda Racing raring to get roads campaign underway at the International North West 200

Honda is ready to get its 2019 road racing campaign underway as Ian Hutchinson and new recruit, David Johnson, have arrived at the International North West 200 ready to kick off proceedings tomorrow.

Wrapping up pre-season testing on a high, the Honda Racing team has enjoyed vast amounts of track time across the off-season in Europe, as well as various UK circuits, including the team’s favourite; Castle Combe in Wiltshire, in preparation for the NW200, the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster GP.

Working closely with Dunlop throughout all tests both Hutchinson and Johnson have been testing different tyre compounds, as well as working with new suspension partner K-Tech, to fine-tune settings ready for the start of the road-race season.

At the NW200 Honda’s road racing experts will contest the Superbike and Superstock races aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, as well as the Supersport races on CBR600RR machinery at the 8.970-mile road circuit.

Action at the NW200 gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday 14 May) with First Practice, there’s further practice and racing on Thursday (16 May), as well as racing all-day on Saturday (18 May). Get the full 2019 International North West 200 practice and race schedule here.

Source: Honda Racing

Roads campaign for Honda Racing gets underway at the North West 200

Honda Racing, along with riders Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston, are getting ready to head to The International North West 200 next week (15-19 May), as they kick off their road racing campaign aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

With some uncertainty over Hutchinson and if he would be able to race, following an accident at last year’s Isle of Man TT where he broke his left leg, the ‘Bingley Bullet’ was back on two wheels with the Honda team last Friday (4 May), after having his external frame removed and being passed fit to race by the ACU.

Looking comfortable on the Fireblade and completing over 78 laps of Mallory Park, Hutchy and the team returned over the Bank Holiday weekend to take part in the East Midlands Racing Association club meeting, in order to obtain race signatures for his TT course licence. With the aim to race in Northern Ireland next week, Hutchy will be checked over by the NW200 medical team before heading out on the 8.970-mile circuit for first practice.

Meanwhile teammate Johnston has enjoyed an extensive testing programme with the team and the CBR ahead of his racing debut with the squad. Feeling confident with the Fireblade package for the roads, ‘The General’ is looking forward to getting to ‘The Triangle’ for one of the fastest road races in the world.

NW200 Race Schedule:
Tuesday 15 May
0915-1500 Practice

Thursday 17 May
0915-1500 Practice
1700-2100 Evening racing

Saturday 19 May
0915-1900 Race day

 

Credit: Media Team @Honda Racing CBR, follow @HondaRacingCBR on Twitter.