A super second in Superstock at the NW200 for Dean Harrison
In his first road racing event for the factory Honda Racing UK team, Dean Harrison fires his Superstock CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP to a second-place finish.
Thursday’s action at the Causeway Coast for the Honda Team consisted of two qualifying sessions and a pair of four lap races, the opening Briggs Equipment Superbike Race and the Amici Ristorante Superstock Race.
Utilising Superstock motorcycles in both races, Dean Harrison had set impressive lap times in qualifying to gain a front row grid slot in Superstock and an impressive fourth in the Superbike race. Teammate, John McGuinness had an equally impressive pace at the Triangle and qualified his Fireblade in seventh for the Superbike race and a sixth in Superstock.
Nathan Harrison, in his first event of the year for the Factory team and with one eye on the TT ahead, built progressively into the day of road racing action. He qualified towards the back rows of the first wave of riders and achieved a best finish of twelfth in the Superstock race gaining valuable bike time and building confidence lap by lap.
As the lights went out and the Superbike race roared into action, Dean Harrison quickly found himself in a battle for the final podium position with fellow Honda rider Michael Dunlop. Heading into Mather’s Chicane on the final lap Dean made an impressive move on the brakes stick, only to miss a gear on the exit and then lose position to both Michael and Peter Hickman too. Nonetheless he finished the opening race in a fighting fifth.
John McGuinness, preferring the shorter length four lap races, was also putting together a fast pace as he battled with James Hillier and Conor Cummins. He would go on to finish in seventh and lapped the North West 200 Triangle circuit almost as quick as he has ever gone.
With some small changes made between races to give the riders more speed, it was lights out once more for the team’s second race of the day and the first Superstock race of the event. A front row start for Dean paved the way to a breakaway battle with Davey Todd at the front of the field as John McGuinness once more found himself in the battle for a top five finish.
As the chequered flag waved, Dean crossed the line in an impressive second to score his debut podium with the team. Not far behind John McGuinness lost the last lap battle for fourth against Honda mounted Hillier to finish fifth. Although frustrated to miss out on the last lap, he remains hugely upbeat with the impressive pace that he has shown.
All three Honda riders will be back in action for the remaining races, all of which scheduled to take place on Saturday.
#5 Dean Harrison
I am happy, very happy with the pace with the Superstock Fireblade. The bike has been going really well, Davey is riding really well and so to come here and be right there with him is great. I wanted to get on the podium for the team to say thank you, these lads have worked so hard all year in the background with all of the things that have been going on behind the scenes that people don’t see, so this is credit to them and a big thank you for all their hard work.The first race was a little frustrating as I really think we could’ve had another podium. I lined up a move on Michael into Mathers and then made it stick but then I missed a gear on the way out and he got me back and Hicky came through too.I definitely think there is more to come, this is a new bike and a new project for me so the potential at this stage is great to see and it certainly bodes well looking forward. We get to do it all again on Saturday.Superbike race - 4th Superstock race - 2nd
#1 John McGuinness MBE
I think we have done a really good job today as a team, plugging away and battling, fighting away and scrapping with some top, top road racers. We’re going as quick as ever which is great, we’ve got a Stocker, which at the end of the day is what we’ve got to work with but in the Superstock race we we’re going great, good little ding dong with Hillier. I’m so pleased for Dean, my role is changing and he’s go the baton now, but I feel part of that journey. I love to see him on the podium, and I love to see that Davey has got one now. I’ve said it before, but when the sun is shining there’s nowhere like it. It’s been great and there’s still another day of racing to do.Superbike race - 7th Superstock - 5th
#25 Nathan Harrison
It’s been a bit of a mixed day to tell the truth. I made a bit of a mistake in the Superbike race as I was resting my foot on the gear lever which made the quick-shifter think I wanted the bike to change when I didn’t, so I pulled in. That was just a bit of a silly mistake as we learn more and more about this new package.Then for the second race I made the adjustment and we were able to put together a really solid ride to 12th and get the finish that I wanted. I progressed lap by lap and as the event progresses I am building my confidence and I look forward to going again on Saturday.Superbike - DNF Superstock - 12th
