WorldSSP – The PETRONAS MIE MS Racing Honda rookies prepare for ‘new’ track Mandalika

The PETRONAS MIE MS Racing Honda Team gears up for the second round of the 2023 Supersport World Championship at the Mandalika International Street Circuit on Lombok, Indonesia. Rookie riders Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin have no knowledge of the South-East Asian track and so they will face another steep learning curve this weekend.

The team took on the Australian season-opener with gusto just last weekend. After a demanding start at the Phillip Island track, race 1 afforded Mackenzie the possibility to show off his skills in the very wet conditions. From eighteenth on the grid and in a race that was restarted, the Brit was able to cross the line a worthy fifth. In that same race, Norrodin scored his first points by closing twelfth, despite a crash a few laps from the end.

Both rookies are now eager to continue their WorldSSP journey and build on the progress made in Australia. The Mandalika International Street Circuit was inaugurated in 2021 and has already hosted the Superbike World Championship on two occasions. The weather can play a big part in the proceedings and so the PETRONAS MIE MS Racing Honda Team will need to be prepared for whatever comes its way over the course of the weekend.

Tarran Mackenzie

“It’s the first time I’m visiting Mandalika, and Indonesia too in fact, so I’m looking forward to it. I’ve watched some of the previous races and it looks like a fun track. We have no idea what the weather will do, but that might play into our hands a little! I’m excited to learn another new track, complete more laps and do the very best we can.”

Adam Norrodin

“I’ve never been to Mandalika – my only experience of it is via the Playstation! I know it’s a nice track that offers good grip even in the rain, so that’s important as conditions could well be mixed just as they were in Australia. I’m curious to ride there and build on the progress we made in Australia. I’m feeling positive ahead of this next round.”

Track information:

Country: Indonesia
Name: Mandalika International Street Circuit
Length: 4.300 km
Pole position: left

Corners: 6 left-hand, 11 right-hand

SSP RECORDS: Best lap – Oncu (Kawasaki) 1’36.303 (2022). Superpole – Tuuli (MV Agusta) 1’35.947 (2022).

2022 SSP RESULTS:

Race 1 – 1. Tuuli (MV Agusta); 2. Caricasulo (Ducati); 3. Oncu (Kawasaki)

Race 2 – 1. Aegerter (Yamaha); 2. Manzi (Triumph); 3. Oncu (Kawasaki)