British Superbike frontrunner Glenn Irwin will make his TT debut in 2020 with Honda Racing alongside top road racing prospect Davey Todd.
The pair will contest the Superbike and Superstock classes at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT races aboard the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Away from the roads Glenn will join his brother Andrew in the official Honda Racing BSB team, with Davey partnering Tom Neave in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.
Although a newcomer to the Isle of Man TT races, Glenn is certainly no stranger to the road racing scene where he’s had a string of successes at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. Making his debut in 2017, the Carrickfergus man impressed as he took his maiden victory in the final Superbike race. He went one better a year later to secure both Superbike wins, and again in 2019 he won and came second in the feature races.
Glenn had a mixed season in the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, but in 2018 he finished third in the championship and took his debut BSB win at the final round. Throughout that year he enjoyed regular visits to the podium securing five second place finishes and one third place.
“I guess it’s natural to be excited to join Honda, but I really am! I got a taste for the team at the end of this season with Andrew and got to see the structure and the atmosphere in the garage, it’s an experienced team and to be associated with a brand like Honda, is a dream come true,” said Irwin.
“I’ve had Andrew as a teammate before, but this time it’s different as I guess I am the new guy! We are best friends and I think this is key as we’ll work together, share information and we won’t keep anything from each other, which is important as our task is to develop the new Fireblade. I’m enjoying doing the homework for the TT and learning it, there’s no expectations whatsoever, we’re not going there to win in year one, the place requires a lot of respect and time and that’s what we’ll give it. It’s a privilege to make my debut there on the new Fireblade as a lot of people will be wanting to see it in action, so I have to prepare the best I can for the most professional and safe job in my first year.”
A relative newcomer to the roads, Davey has continued to impress since embarking on his first full road-race campaign in 2018. A year earlier he made his debut at the Ulster Grand Prix, where he placed second in the Dundrod 150 National race. Consistency was key at the NW200 where he was crowned top newcomer, but it was at the TT where the 24-year-old really made his mark, lapping the Mountain Circuit at 127.890mph and becoming the second fastest newcomer in the history of the event.
In his second year on the roads, Davey secured his maiden NW200 win in the Supersport class and also came third on the podium in the Superstock race. Meanwhile at the TT he continued to learn the circuit and completed race week with five top-ten finishes.
“I am really excited to sign for Honda Racing for the 2020 season. We all know Honda’s history and I grew up watching the factory team and that’s what got me into racing, and it’s been a lifelong dream to ride for Honda,” said Todd.
“The 2020 Fireblade looks incredible and after seeing it I am more excited that I was before - if that’s even possible! I also want to thank Havier and Honda Racing for giving me this opportunity on the roads and also in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, having that belief in me really means a lot and I can’t wait to get started!”
Check out the 2020 Isle of Man TT race schedule here.
