After a difficult start to the 2024 WorldSBK season, positive signs were there for Tarran Mackenzie and 🌠the PETRONAS MIE Honda team.

The Mala🌸ysian-backed team are not running the same machinery as Team HRC, and with the factory Honda team also struggling, good results have been very few and far between for several seasons. 

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But 𝓰Mackenzie ܫwas able to deliver a very impressive performance in Assen.

Speaking about his breakthrough round where he ac✤hieved a best of 11th, Mackenzie said: “It was a stronger weekend overall and the we♛t sessions just helped me build confidence and it was more of a level playing field.

“I had some good results, was a bit better in Superpole and closer to the guys in front. In the Superpole Race, I f𒆙elt like I messed up a little bit; I felt like I could have been stronger in the opening laps but I was determined to have a good start. 

“It made such a difference getting dragged round with the likes of Garrett and Xavi. It was cool f⛄rom that side; we caught Rinaldi and then it was us three towards the end.

“I tried my best to pass them both but couldn’t do it; Garrett ran wide and then I managed to get by so to finish right behind Xaꦜvi is great, as well as being in the mix and scoring points. It was really positive.”

With a lack of pre-season testing at his disposal compared to other teams, Mackenzie💝 was already on the backfoot heading into his first full WorldSBK campaign.

Buꦜt the former BSB champion saw updates come h🍰is way in Assen which aided the performance.

“It was a struggle for sure🌌 and in Australia, we had no testing really compared to anyone else,” said Mackenzie.

“We didn’t have the bike we’re riding now until the Tuesday before Aust🦹ralia, then I crashed, the weather didn’t help and it was just a bit of a struggle.

“Having Mick [Shanley] in my corner from the Barcelona test onwards, I made a big step and was a bit closer to the factory guys in Barcelona and had a bit of a better ജrace there.

“Then, we made another step here even if it was hard. We didn’t get many dry laps so we went back to base setting from B✨arcelona.

“In the rain, we were a lot stronger so it was nice to see some light at the end of the tunnel and a bꦍit more positivജity lifts the whole morale of the team.”

In terms of what he wants to achieve going forwa🎃rd, 🌠Mackenzie is aiming to break into the top ten in the coming rounds.

Mackenzie said: “Everyone’s working hard and trying t꧒heir best with the package we’ve got.

“We’re always trying to think of new things and in✃ the wet and dry, try to be quite competitive.

“OK, it’s not top ten and at the front but I think with what we’ve got, we’re doing a pretty 🍬good job. We’ve scored an 11th so for sure, the next g𝕴oal is the top ten.”