Tarran Mackenzie will campaign an HRC-backed CBR600 in next year’s World Supersport series after signing to ride for Midori Morwaki’s MIE team.
The former British Superbike Champion had hoped to be on a Yamaha in WorldSBK for 2023 but has opted for a 600 ride in an ‘exciting project’ which has the backing of Honda’s upper management after being let down by the Iwata factory’s European racing arm.
“I hadn’t pictured doing Supersport because I have been on a Superbike for so long and the natural progression from British Superbikes is to World Superbikes. I have tried going down that route but for one reason or another it has not quite worked out,” Mackenzie told bikesportnews.com.
“When we spoke with Midori initially it was about Superbike but the 600 option was always there if I wanted it. If I am honest, at the start, I didn’t really consider it but as time went on, she said she really wanted ne to think about it.
“There was no pressure on me, but when Hafizh said he wanted to stay, she said the 600 option is still here, it’s going to be a proper project with Honda and HRC.
“I had some time and the more I thought about it, the more excited I got. For sure, I would like to be in Superbike but is a great way to get into the paddock and learn the tracks.
After the year I have had, which was great when I was winning, but the enjoyment factor was a little less when I was in hospital, so I think the 600 will be a nice way to get into that paddock and enjoy riding again.”
Mackenzie will be on a CBR600RR but not as we know it. It is an upgraded version similar to one which Davey Todd has been riding for Clive Padgett on the roads and is a bit special. And also well within the rules, according to WorldSBK technical director Scott Smart.
“I think people believe I am riding Andrew Pitt’s bike from 2008. It is not a completely new bike but it is a step forward and from what Scott said, it looks like it could be really competitive especially with the way the levelling rules work.
“The way it had been explained to me, it is a cool little project to be involved in plus Honda is keen and they all seem motivated to have a bike back at the front. Lee Johnston told me Davey Todd ripped his stickers off at the North West on it.
“I spoke to Clive Padgett about it. He knew what was going on as he knows Midori and he said it is a good package. No-one except Clive and Harv from Honda UK can actually get one, so I am excited by it.”
