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SUBS CALL-UP: American Hayden Gillim and ‘Tati’ Mercado to replace injured Mackenzie and Norrodin at MIE Honda

Thursday, 18 July 2024 09:41 GMT

    • The MIE Honda team will have a new line-up for the Czech Round with both regular riders missing through injury

     

    With the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship descending on the Autodrom Most for the sixth round of the season, the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda will have two new riders in the Czech Republic. With Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin both missing through injury, the team have drafted in America’s Hayden Gillim and Argentina’s Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado for this weekend, with the latter returning to the team.

    Mackenzie was injured in a Race 1 crash at Donington and he was diagnosed with concussion, which means he’s sitting out the Czech Round. He’s being replaced by reigning MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 champion Hayden Gillim, with the American racing for Honda in the American Superbike championship this year. Gillim is the cousin of the late, great Nicky Hayden as well as Nicky’s brother, Roger Lee.

    Discussing his WorldSBK debut, Gillim said: “I’m very excited for this weekend. I’d always hoped that I could race in World Superbike one day. I know it’s going to be a big learning experience, as it’s a new track, different tyres, a new team, and a different bike. Racing a 2024 Honda Superbike versus my 2023 Stock Honda in America is going to take some getting used to, but I’m ready for the challenge. I have to thank the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team and Midori Moriwaki for the opportunity. As well as my team, sponsors, and family back at home for being supportive of me and my goals.”

    On the other side of the box, ‘Tati’ Mercado returns to WorldSBK and the MIE Honda outfit in place of Norrodin, who is ruled out of action following a Race 2 crash at Donington Park. His last race for the team came at the 2023 season finale at Jerez, where he actually topped Free Practice 1 in wet conditions. The Argentine brings plenty of experience to the team, with 194 race starts under his belt already in WorldSBK although he doesn’t have a rostrum to his name. He also claimed the 2014 STK1000, while he raced at Most for the team back in 2022 – scoring a best result of 15th in Race 2.

    On his return to WorldSBK, Mercado said: “It will be good to be back in the WorldSBK paddock, and with a team I know! Fortunately, I was free to ride this weekend as I’m not at the Suzuka 8 Hours in the end. I’m not starting the weekend with any particular expectations, but I would like to improve session by session. I’ll do the best I can to harness my experience and provide the team with more useful data. I want to thank the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team for inviting me back, and hopefully we can have a good weekend!”

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