Hickman uses hybrid Smiths BMW for Superbike TT victory
Peter Hickman says combining key components of his Superbike and Superstock BMW S1000RR for the Isle of Man TT RST Superbike race paid off on his charge to a third win on the Island.
The Smiths Racing BMW rider had been playing catch-up after losing significant qualifying practice time due to poor weather conditions and technical issues which left him down on laps on his Superbike around the Mountain course.
Peter Hickman says combining key components of his Superbike and Superstock BMW S1000RR for the Isle of Man TT RST Superbike race paid off on his charge to a third win on the Island.
The Smiths Racing BMW rider had been playing catch-up after losing significant qualifying practice time due to poor weather conditions and technical issues which left him down on laps on his Superbike around the Mountain course.
After a final practice on Sunday, Hickman and his Smiths Racing BMW opted to take his Superstock-specification engine and install it into his Superbike overnight in preparation for the shortened four-lap Superbike TT on Monday.
During a tussle for the lead with Dean Harrison, Hickman was declared the race winner at the end of Lap 2 following a red-flag stoppage for a tragic incident which saw Daley Mathison killed.
Hickman’s thoughts and tributes went to Mathison as he clinched a bittersweet TT victory following his maiden double 12 months ago.
“It’s never great to win a race when it’s shortened with a red flag and my thoughts are obviously with the family and friends of Daley,” Hickman said. “In the race itself, we decided to fit the front and rear end of the Superbike to the Superstock S1000RR and the bike worked really well. I felt strong on the run to Glen Helen and although Dean pulled away a bit, I pushed on over the Mountain to take the lead at the pit stop.
“I did have a bit more traffic to contend with than what I thought so I didn’t get a clear lap but I’m very happy with the bike and that’s what we’ll use for the Senior although I’m under no illusions that Dean will be quicker then.”
Hickman followed up his win with third place in the opening Supersport race, which was also cut short to two laps due to rain arriving mid-race, with the 32-year-old backing the calls to cut the race short as he was content with picking up another podium on the smaller machine.
“The Supersport race started well but on the second lap, rain was falling through Kirk Michael so I rolled off a fair bit and lost a bit of time but I think the organisers made the right call and it’s great to get another podium on the Supersport machine,” he said.
Hickman had been set to contest the Isle of Man TT Superstock race on Tuesday (June 4th) but the schedule has been cancelled due to rain returning to the Island. A new schedule is expected to be released today.
