Davey Todd ready for Spring Cup at Oliver's Mount after Wilson Craig Racing debut at Kirkistown

Todd joined fellow WCR riders Chris Burns, Steven Smith and James McMahon at Kirkistown in Co Down for a valuable test day on Monday and impressed on the CBR600RR Honda. The North Yorkshire rider also made his debut on the team’s Moto3 Honda.

“I enjoyed the test with the team at Kirkistown and it’s been good so far, so let’s see how things go this weekend,” he told the News Letter.

“We had a few little issues in the morning getting the Supersport bike set up for me but once we got it dialled in, I felt pretty comfortable.

“I didn’t get a ton of laps in, but we did some good laps that weren’t too far off the lap record.

Todd, who was a Supersport winner at the North West 200 in 2019, rode for the official Honda Racing team last season in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.

Heavy rain showers failed to dampen spirits on Monday and team principal Darren Gilpin was satisfied with the shakedown ahead of the opening road race of the year at Oliver’s Mount.

“This was a very good day all round for all four riders,” he said.

“As was expected, we had a few little issues that were easily fixed, but it was good to get those sorted out before heading to Scarborough. The new Michelin tyres were fantastic and it’s good to have Michelin behind us.

“The team has worked hard to get to this point and it is very pleasing when it all comes together, so we are looking forward to this weekend’s Scarborough meeting where we will finally get to race proper.”

Former MotoGP rider Burns, back in the saddle after nine years away from the sport, said he soon found his groove once he managed to overcome some early nerves.

“I was really nervous as I’ve been away for over nine years, and not ridden at all in between,” said the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne man.

“I didn’t want to turn up and have lost what it takes to go fast and let Darren and the team down. By the end of the day I felt okay and was starting to feel back home in my head, and starting to feel some of the limits again which was nice.

“But I know there is lots more to come, especially from myself. One thing that did make it easier was that the WCR Team made me feel very welcome.”

An impressive line-up at Scarborough this weekend includes TT winners Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston, plus Burrows Engineering/RK Racing riders Paul Jordan and Mike Browne, McAdoo Racing’s Adam McLean, Jamie Coward, Dominic Herbertson, Ian Lougher, Jim Hind and Rob Hodson.

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