HODSON AND SMT RACING SET FOR SECOND YEAR
Following a successful 2023 that saw him lap the TT Course at over 130mph for the first time, Rob Hodson has confirmed he and the SMT Racing team will continue their partnership for the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races.
Hodson will again campaign a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock and Milwaukee Senior TT Races, as well as a Yamaha YZF-R6 in the two Monster Energy Supersport Races where he’ll continue to enjoy support from Vehicle Recovery Services.
Winner of the 2015 Supertwin and 2022 Classic Superbike Manx Grand Prix Races, Hodson will also contest the first Metzeler Supertwin and second Entire Cover Supertwin Races, with team owner Robin Croft sourcing a Paton S1-R for the new season.
Joining Croft’s team for the first time last year, Hodson overcame a spill at Sarah’s Cottage on the final lap of the Superbike Race to go on and have his most successful TT campaign to date. Setting personal best laps around the 37.73-mile TT Mountain Course in every class, the highlight was a maiden 130mph lap and a fine 10th-place in the Senior TT.
The Lancastrian took 9th and 11th-place finishes in the two Supersport Races, where he improved his fastest lap on a 600cc machine to an impressive 125.121mph, whilst his best result of the fortnight came in the second Supertwin Race where he secured an excellent 5th-place.
Four top-ten results in 2023 have deservedly seen him rewarded with a top-20 seeded position in all classes for the first time in 2024.
Rob Hodson: “It’s good to continue with a similar set up to last year and I’m delighted to be continuing with Robin and the whole team.”
“It was a bit hectic getting it all together, but everyone settled in well and I think we all did a good job at the TT with some strong performances in all the classes. I got my best results and set personal best lap speeds in every class, and you can’t ask for much more than that so the aim for 2024 will be to improve again.”
“As you get quicker, the gains obviously become that bit smaller but if I can improve a bit here and there, I’m confident we can make another step forward on all three bikes. Being a seeded rider in every class will be a big help and I’m looking forward to getting out on track with the quick lads in each qualifying session. That should bring me on further so we’re all excited for TT2024.”
Robin Croft, SMT Racing Team Owner: “We were very pleased with our first year at the TT with Rob, and are very much looking forward to returning together.”
“The spill set him back a bit, but he regrouped and rebuilt during the rest of race week and ended with a fine set of results. He made a big jump in all classes and to go from 126mph to 130mph on the big bike was particularly impressive.”
“We’ve made small improvements to both the 1000cc and 600cc machines and got a good deal with the Paton, so we’ll be giving it a good go in all classes once more. Rob fits the SMT Racing bill and we fit his so if we can sneak a podium in the Supertwin class and finish top eight in the others we’ll be more than happy.”
