Road Racing: Hodson joins SMT Racing

Rob Hodson will join the SMT Racing team for the 2023 Isle of Man TT, riding a Honda Fireblade.

Rob Hodson joins the SMT Racing team, with high aims for the 2023 Isle of Man TT. He will race in three classes in the 2023 Isle of Man TT, racing in the Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin classes.

He will join the SMT Racing team which is owned by Robin Croft and has a rich history in motorcycle racing. The team has had riders such as John McGuinness MBE, Michael Rutter and Tim Reeves.

All three of Hodson’s bikes will run the SMT Racing livery, with a Jackson Racing prepared Fireblade for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races. He will ride three different manufacturers, with a Yamaha R6 in Supersport and a Kawasaki Z650.

Ron Hodson has raced for the Dafabet Racing team in recent years, achieving his best TT to date in 2022. He would claim the best result of seventh place in the Supertwin race and five top-15 finishes. 

Hodson has had great success in the Classic Manx Grand Prix, racing for Greenhall Racing. He would win the Classic Superbike Manx Grand Prix, riding a Kawasaki ZX-R750. The 36-year-old would finish ahead of riders such as Nathan Harrison, David Johnson, Lee Johnson and Michael Rutter.

Team owner, Robin Croft said: “After a few years away from the TT, it was great to be back with John last year, we were only contesting the two Supersport races though so I couldn’t help but feel we were missing out so when I found out Rob was looking for a ride, it seemed right to lend him my support and return for a full-scale assault.”

“He obviously lives local to me and we’ve done a little bit together in the past but his results are improving all the time and I’m confident with our team and infrastructure, we can help take him to the next level.”

Rob Hodson said: “I’m delighted to be joining SMT Racing and can’t thank Robin enough, he helped me out a little bit back in 2018 and we’ve kept in touch ever since so when he said he was looking to get more involved with racing again, one thing led to another and I’ve now got a brand new Honda Fireblade at my disposal.

“We’ll run the bike in Superstock-spec, which, as we’ve seen both at the TT and on the short circuits, will be more than competitive for the Superbike, Senior and Superstock races whilst the team’s infrastructure is second to none.

“With Sean supplying the 600 and Kate and Kevin the Twin, I’m well equipped to build on last year’s results and improve further still and that’s the obvious aim.”