David Johnson takes sensational Superstock podium in packed TT day

Honda Racing’s David Johnson took his first Isle of Man TT podium in sensational fashion in today’s Superstock race, getting the better of Michael Dunlop by just 0.2seconds. With the weather finally giving an uninterrupted day of running, it was a bumper day of track activity on the Island today.

Getting off to a steady start in the Superstock, Davo was eighth on the first of the three-lap race, but wasted no time in starting his ascent through the field. By Ramsey he was sixth, and by the end of lap one that had become fifth. The team did a fantastic job of his pitstop, getting him underway 3.8seconds faster than Dunlop’s pitstop, and with a penalty for speeding for James Hillier moved into fourth at the start of lap two.

Then in the final lap, the fight for the podium really became incredible. He and Michael Dunlop were separated by tenths of a second throughout, taking turns at holding third position. By Glen Helen, Davo was 0.7seconds ahead, but by Ballaugh Bridge that was just 0.1seconds, and by Bungalow Dunlop was one second ahead, but a stunning final sector for Davo overhauled that deficit to give the popular Aussie his very popular maiden TT podium.

In this morning’s first session, both Ian Hutchinson and Davo ran their Superstock machines for the qualifying lap, which was followed shortly by the second Supersport race. Whilst Davo took his CBR600RR to 10th in the two-lap race, unfortunately Hutchy was forced to retire on the opening lap. He then elected to sit out the Superstock race, in which Davo took the CBR1000RR Fireblade to the podium, in order to focus on this evening’s Senior qualifying lap.

As the sun was sitting low in the sky after what has been a rare beautiful day in this year’s TT, the qualifying lap was the final chance for track time before the blue riband Senior TT tomorrow. Working on some changes to the bikes, Davo finishes 7th fastest and Hutchy 12th. The finale of TT week, the Senior, is scheduled to start at 1000h tomorrow morning.

Ian Hutchinson digs deep in Isle of Man TT return

The Honda Racing team is signing off after a positive Isle of Man TT campaign; although the results do not reflect the performance of the riders Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston, the squad is leaving this year’s event pleased with progress and on-going development of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Hutchinson continued to impress as he made his return to the TT after breaking his leg in an accident last year. With inspirational drive and determination the ‘Bingley Bullet’ completed a total of 39 laps aboard the CBR during practice and race week, just one month after having his external frame removed.

‘Hutchy’ improved his lap times and feeling aboard the Fireblade during each session and although he didn’t finish the Senior TT, feeling he wasn’t able to complete the full race distance after the second pit stop, the Honda team are proud of his efforts this week and know it’s only a matter of time before he’s back to full speed.

Meanwhile teammate Johnston went into today’s Senior TT confident after a six-place finish in Saturday’s opening Superbike race aboard the Fireblade. With glorious conditions once again around the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit, ‘The General’ had made his way into the top-ten. However at the end of the second lap he retired with a technical issue.

With the data and information collected from the TT, the team will now start looking towards the Ulster GP, which takes place 5-11 August.

Solid sixth place for Lee Johnston in the Superbike TT

Honda Racing’s Lee Johnston secured a solid sixth place finish in June 2nd’s opening RST Superbike race at the Isle of Man TT, aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, while teammate Ian Hutchinson retired from the six-lap race.

With the Superbike race getting underway at a slightly later time than planned, due to fog and mist across the Mountain, the Honda duo set off at 1pm local time, with Hutchy fourth and Johnston 13th on the road.

‘The General’ had strong pace from the start and quickly settled into a good rhythm aboard the CBR around the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit. Coming into the first pit stop at the end of the second lap, Johnston had moved into tenth place.

With consistent, quick lap times and fast pit stops from the super-slick Honda crew, Johnston was able to make up places throughout the race, eventually crossing the line in sixth place with a race time of 1:47:42.014 (15 seconds from fifth place).

Meanwhile teammate Hutchinson retired from the race on lap four at Governor’s Bridge. Having got a good start off the line and looking strong in the opening stages of the race, he pulled in at the end of lap four having struggled with suspension set-up on the CBR machine.

The team will now prepare for the Superstock race on Monday 4 June, ahead of the blue riband Senior TT on Friday 8 June.

Credit: Honda Racing CBR Media Team