WSB: Tarran Mackenzie seals World Supersport move with MIE MS Racing Honda

Tarran Mackenzie will be in the World Supersport Championship next season onboard a Honda CBR600RR.

The 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship winner has joined a project formed by the MIE Honda Racing and MS Racing teams. The MS Racing Team outfit have had a presence inside the WorldSBK paddock since 2018, including in WSS and WSS300, and will now link up with the MIE Racing outfit which competes in WSB.

Mackenzie’s move to the WSB paddock ends his five-year stint with McAMS Yamaha in BSB. During that time, Mackenzie secured 16 victories and 43 podiums, as well as the 2021 title. That championship success came exactly 25 years after dad Niall won his maiden BSB crown.

• Pick up a copy of the December 28 issue of MCN for an exclusive interview with Tarran Mackenzie

The 27-year-old also enjoyed Supersport success with Steve Rodgers’ team, winning the British Championship in 2016. He won the first six races of the 2017 too, but left mid-season for an opportunity in Moto2.

“This is going to be something new, exciting and refreshing – especially after my tricky 2022 campaign,” Mackenzie told MCN. “Changing paddocks, scenery and bike is always something to look forward to and it’s an absolutely great thing to be involved with.

“It has been a big goal of mine to return to World Championship level and I think that competing in World Supersport is the perfect way to learn and move forward. I just want to say a big thank you to Midori and the whole team for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to begin!”

Mackenzie follows in the footsteps of Jonathan Rea, Cal Crutchlow, Chaz Davies, Eugene Laverty and Sam Lowes, who all competed in WSS before graduating into WSB, Moto2 or MotoGP.

The move marks the return of Honda to WSS following a two-year absence. Their return means that there are now six manufacturers in the class, with Honda joining Yamaha, Ducati, Kawasaki, Triumph and MV Augusta.

2022 saw the introduction of new regulations which were designed to balance the field, creating closer racing and a more level playing field, whilst also allowing more manufacturers to enter. Mv Augusta and Triumph both won on their returns this season, whilst Ducati also podiumed in its first year.

Honda will enter the latest version of its CBR600, which has already been successful in the hands of Davey Todd at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, however it remains to be seen how it will do in WSS trim.

Honda is one of the most successful manufacturers in WSS history, winning a total of 10 titles and collecting 104 wins, 283 podiums and 98 pole positions during their time in the series. Honda’s last crown was secured by Michael Van Der Mark in 2014.

“I reckon the Honda is going to be a proper little weapon,” Mackenzie continued. “With the way the rules are at the moment, every manufacturer won in 2022 except for Ducati. If the Honda or any other bike isn’t up to scratch, the rules can be modified to make things more equal…likewise if it’s too good.”

Mackenzie will be joined at MIE MS Racing Honda by former Moto3 and Moto3 racer Adam Norrodin. The 24-year-old spent this season with BMW in the Asia Superbike championship and finished eighth in the standings, taking two third-place finishes at his home circuit of Sepang.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to join the MIE MS Racing Honda Team and I would like to thank Midori Moriwaki very much for giving me the opportunity to race on the world stage,” Norrodin said.

“I fully intend to give it my all, as this is a great opportunity for my future. I can’t wait to join the team, to take part in our first tests and, of course, to start racing when the season kicks   off in February.”

Pick up a copy of the December 28 issue of MCN for an exclusive interview with Tarran Mackenzie