Honda Racing UK Shifts Focus: Superstock Bikes Exclusively for North West 200
The Honda Racing UK team have today confirmed that they will be using only Superstock bikes in this year’s North West 200. Due to the demands of the 2024 calendar and significant delays in securing parts and materials, they will not be running Superbike or Supersport bikes at the event.
As a result, riders Dean Harrison, John McGuinness MBE and Nathan Harrison will be using Superstock spec Fireblades in both the Superbike and Superstock classes during the event.
Team manager Javier Beltran said: “I am very excited to be going to the Northwest 200, the event is such an important part of Honda’s racing calendar and we are excited to participate in the event again. Unfortunately, due to due to the nature of this year’s calendar and significant delays in getting parts and materials, we will be racing only Superstock bikes.It is definitely less than ideal, but we are very excited to see how Dean, John and Nathan can do in their 2024 Fireblades.
Dean Harrison moved from the DAO Racing team to the Factory Honda team in 2024 and competed for the team in the British Superbike Championship. News of Harrison missing out on a Supersport entry in the North West 200 puts him at a disadvantage as he prepares for the Isle of Man TT races at the end of the month.
John McGuinness is making a historic appearance at the North West 200 in 2024, 30 years after its debut in 1994. He expressed his enthusiasm to return to the event and his passion for the unique atmosphere of the competition.
Nathan Harrison is hoping for a strong turnout at this year’s event after suffering an injury last year which prevented him from competing at the TT in his first year with the Honda team.
The North West 200 starts from Wednesday, May 8 with practice.