Newcomer Rob Hodson excited by chance to 'learn new craft' in 200mph slipstreaming battles at North West 200

Hodson will compete at the event for the first time with Robin Croft’s SMT Racing team and says everything fell into place to allow him to make his debut around the 8.9-mile course in 2026.

A podium finisher at the Isle of Man TT and race winner at the Southern 100 and Manx Grand Prix, Hodson has spent time during the winter watching onboard footage of the thrilling slipstreaming battles at speeds of up to 200mph on the long straights at the North West 200 that have become synonymous with the event.

“It’s always a surprise to people that I haven’t raced at the North West 200,” said Hodson. “There’s a few different reasons, but things need to line up right with the TT approaching and in terms of bikes, engines, time, funds – all that kind of stuff.

“For 2026, it has lined up perfectly and Mervyn [Whyte, Event Director] has done a great job of speaking to us and encouraging us over, so it’s like a fresh challenge for myself.

“Not that things go stale, but adding the North West 200 for this year into our calendar is a big thing for myself.

“I spent time watching the onboard videos on YouTube trying to learn a bit here and there, writing it down, and of course on bike prep over the winter.

“It’s been pretty busy but I’m cracking on with my homework and I am excited, and there’s no nerves creeping in just yet, only excitement.”

Hodson will ride Honda Fireblade machinery in the Superbike and Superstock races plus a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport bike and a Paton Supertwin. The 38-year-old Wigan rider, fourth at the Macau Grand Prix last year, is a vastly experienced competitor, but Hodson is looking forward to a fresh challenge at the NW200, which takes place from May 6-9.

“Each is event is unique, from Oliver’s Mount to the Southern 100 and Isle of Man TT, and there’s a knack to being fast around those circuits,” he said.

“I’ve no doubt that the North West 200 is the same. I love the coverage that comes out online and there’s a group of riders and someone will just come out of nowhere because of the big slipstream, so I’ve not really experienced that; maybe a little bit for example down Sulby at the TT when you can feel your leathers flapping if someone’s behind you, but not to the extent of the longer straights that the North West.

“That will be something to learn, a different craft I think.”

Hodson will be entering into his fourth season with SMT Racing and says he feels right at home in Croft’s outfit.

“In the early days of Robin setting up SMT Racing he was doing full-time BSB with James Ellison and Jason O’Halloran, and people like that, so high profile riders in that paddock,” said Hodson.

“Then later on he was sponsoring Michael Rutter and people like that in the road racing and then stepped out of it for a few years, and then came back into it gradually.

“In 2023 we did a deal and he was up for helping us with a bike, and then all of a sudden we’ve four bikes now and a race truck, so things have escalated and we’ve got a full calendar of road racing.

“It’s been a good relationship between us all and we have a good few sponsors, although Robin obviously owns the team and pays the bills. He enjoys it and the whole thing just works.

“I’ve not been actively looking for other rides elsewhere because I’m comfortable where I am, I know the bikes are good and every bike I sit on this year I know is capable of a good result.

“It’s a good position to be in when you know the bikes are in good order and we’ll see how it goes, I’m looking forward to it.”

Looking ahead to his NW200 debut, Hodson has no huge expectations and will be using his first year to get to grips with the famous ‘Triangle’ course.

“It’ll be learning the course, seeing what the bikes go through and trying to do our best – that’ll be the aim,” he said.

“Get to grips with it and hopefully the weather will play ball like it did last year, and if we can learn the track in the dry, then that’s half the battle.”