Solid start for Honda Racing at the North West 200

The Honda Racing team has got its 2018 road racing campaign off to a solid start as the International North West 200 roared into life this week. The final Superbike session took place this afternoon with Honda’s duo Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston qualifying tenth and 13th aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, ahead of Saturday’s opening seven-lap Superbike race.

With near-perfect conditions for the final qualifying session at the 8.9-mile circuit, Johnston rounded off the top-ten, 4.676s from pole, despite suffering a technical issue during the session.

Meanwhile teammate Hutchinson has been getting to grips with the CBR at ‘The Triangle’. Working through various areas with the set-up of the machine and making progress in each session the ‘Bingley Bullet’ qualified 13th, with a lap time of 4:31.200.

The race schedule for Saturday 19 May is below, with roads closing at 0915 BST.

Supersport race (6laps)
Superbike race (7 laps)
Supertwin race (4 laps)
Superstock race (6 laps)
Superbike race 2 (7 laps)

Ian Hutchinson

Ian Hutchinson 9

We’ve gone out in each session and we’re chipping away really, we’ve got some work to do ahead of the races on Saturday, but it’s all about bike time for me. We’ve been working on various settings with the Fireblade and we are making progress. I’m looking forward to both Superbike races on Saturday and seeing what we can do.

Honda Racing

Lee Johnston

Lee Johnston 13

Practice so far has gone well for us this week; we had a little issue during the session, but ended up tenth, where we’ll start the race from on Saturday. I’m pleased with the progress we’re making with the Fireblade here, today has been great with the weather so we’ve been able to get all sessions and races in. Race day is always different and I know the team will be working hard on the set-up to get us away on Saturday, I’m looking forward to both races and can’t wait to get going.

Honda Racing

Jonny Twelvetrees

Jonny Twelvetrees

Team Manager

We’re making progress here at the North West 200; both Lee and Ian are chipping away. Today we’ve been blessed with great weather, which always helps and both riders have had races this afternoon so they’re adding to their track time. Throughout all session the lads have been improving their lap times, we have a few things to work towards for the races on Saturday now, but I think overall we’re in a good position to go racing.

Honda Racing

North West 200

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Road Racing 2018

Thursday 17 May 2018, 16:15 UTC

# Rider Num Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Glenn Irwin 2 Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team Ducati 4:23.708
2 Dean Harrison 8 Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki +0.066
3 Michael Dunlop 3 Tyco BMW Motorrad BMW +0.094
4 Alastair Seeley 34 Tyco BMW Motorrad BMW +0.813
5 Michael Rutter 4 Bathams Racing BMW +0.875
6 Martin Jessopp 40 Riders Motorcycles BMW BMW +1.942
7 Peter Hickman 60 Smith’s Racing BMW BMW +2.462
8 William Dunlop 6 Temple Golf Club Yamaha +3.455
9 Conor Cummins 10 Padgetts Honda Honda +3.697
10 Lee Johnston 13 Honda Racing Honda +4.676
11 James Hillier 37 Quattro Plant / JG Speedfit Kawasaki +5.374
12 David Johnson 1 Gulf BMW BMW +7.145
13 Ian Hutchinson 9 Honda Racing Honda +7.492
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