After a blistering start to the short circuit season, Jonathan Howarth has spoken about his excitement ahead of making his debut at the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Blacker Hill firefighter is set to make his debut when the event gets under way next month.
He said:
“It’s a big year for me as I will be competing at the North West 200 and also the Isle of Man TT races for Sheff Pack Kawasaki.”
“It is the first time at the TT for me and I am really looking forward to racing around the 37.7 mile mountain road course.”
Howarth’s comments came after completing the opening round of the National Superstock 1000 Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday. Riding for G&S Racing Kawasaki, he took a strong points finish at the end of the 24-lap encounter.
After a dismal 2012 season when nothing seemed to go right for him, Howarth was pleased to be back in the mix, despite a lack of pre season testing.
He explained:
“I only did 10 laps at Donington and decided to call it a day because the weather was freezing and it was wet so until I came to Brands on Friday I had not ridden the new Kawasaki in dry conditions.”
He qualified on the second row for Sunday’s race, moving up to fourth on lap one. He battled with Adam Jenkinson at Druids, but was unable to make the move stick and settled into fifth. After 18 laps he ran slightly wide at Paddock Hill, allowing Hudson Kennaugh to latch onto his back wheel. When Kennaugh out-braked himself at Druids, Howarth was forced onto the gravel. He stayed on the bike, but lost a lot of ground to finish the lap in 13th.
Howarth pulled himself back up to 11th, but there wasn’t time to make further progress and he crossed the finish line in 11th place to pick up 5 points.
He said:
“I am a bit disappointed I was unable to maintain my fifth place as it would have been a great moral boost to me, but I enjoyed the race and feel far more confident I can run with the leaders this year.”
Howarth’s TT preparations continue this weekend at Thruxton.