WorldSSP – Aragón the next arena for Tarran Mackenzie and replacement rider Ibrahim Norrodin
The Motorland Aragón circuit in Spain is the arena for round ten of the 2023 Supersport World Championship, in which the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team will compete with Tarran Mackenzie and young Ibrahim Norrodin, who stands in for recovering brother Adam.
Less than two weeks ago, the team was out at Magny-Cours for round nine. A challenging weekend, not least because the riders had no prior experience of the French circuit, but one during which both Tarran and Adam made some small gains. Attention now turns to Aragón, with Mackenzie having benefitted from a two-day test at the Spanish track in late August. The team is keen to see whether solutions identified during those sessions can bear fruit this weekend.
As for Ibrahim Norrodin, this weekend will mark his debut appearance in World Supersport. Older brother Adam sustained a shoulder injury after a crash during warm-up at the recent Magny-Cours round and is not yet fit to ride, which is why Ibrahim will replace him this weekend. The young Malaysian will also compete with the team as a wildcard entry during the upcoming Portimão round, set to take place over the weekend of 29 September-1 October.
Born on 25 February 2000, Ibrahim secured the 2022 Supersport 600 title in the Malaysian Superbike series and has competed, both last season and this year, in the Asia Road Racing Championship Supersport 600 class.
Motorland Aragón was inaugurated in 2009 before WorldSBK visited for the first time in 2011. The circuit is located in Alcañiz, part of Spain’s autonomous community of Aragón, and lies approximately 250 km from Barcelona. The track measures 5.077 kilometres and comprises seven right-hand turns and ten left-handers.
Tarran Mackenzie
“I had quite a positive test at Aragón recently. We identified a few solutions, and my lap times weren’t bad, so I hope we can improve in that respect too. I like the circuit and so whatever the weather, I think we can make a small step in the right direction and hopefully carry that on to the final rounds of the season.”
Ibrahim Norrodin
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to Midori for this amazing opportunity and for spotting and believing in my potential. Not only will I have the chance to race alongside my brother at Portimão, but this will also be the biggest stage on which I’ve ever competed. I will therefore be looking to prove myself and demonstrate my skills and talent with a view to securing a permanent seat for next year.”
Track Information:
Country: Spain
Name: Motorland Aragón
Length: 5.077 km
Pole position: right
Corners: 10 left-hand, 7 right-hand
SSP RECORDS: Best lap – Aegerter (Yamaha) 1’53.639 (2022). Superpole – Baldassarri (Yamaha) 1’52.706 (2022).
2022 SSP RESULTS:
Race 1 – 1. Baldassarri (Yamaha); 2. Aegerter (Yamaha); 3. Oncu (Kawasaki)
Race 2 – 1. Aegerter (Yamaha); 2. Baldassarri (Yamaha); 3. Bulega (Ducati)
