Young gun Tom Neave will make his Bennetts British Superbike debut this weekend as he stands-in for the injured Dan Linfoot at Honda Racing.
It will be a baptism of fire for the 23-year-old who has been racing in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 series this year.
"It’s a bit of a dream come true really and I keep pinching myself to make sure it is really happening and that I did get the call from Harv. I’d had a mixed weekend at Brands, then on the Monday the phone rang and it was Havier and it was literally the best day of my life," said Neave.
"I have dreamt of this since I started racing and to have this opportunity and experience is something else. Honda Racing is one of the teams you aspire to and look up to and I am so privileged to get this opportunity.
"I have had two days riding the Fireblade, which was great fun, although we had a lot of traffic on track so I wasn’t fully able to spread its wings and get a real feel for it. So I am looking forward to Friday in first practice to get that feeling.
"The team have all been so nice and welcoming and I already feel like I have been there years, the first day was a little like new school day, but instantly everyone made me feel welcome. I can’t wait to get going this weekend and thank you so much to Havier, Honda Racing and to Honda UK for this opportunity."