Hicky and Cooper to race Daytona 200
The Daytona 200 remains one of the most prestigious races in the world which is why TT and BSB winner Peter Hickman will be taking on the challenge to race around the famous banking on March 7-9.
In a project that has been three years in the making, Hickman will be taking his PHR Racing Triumph 765s stateside alongside serial race winner Richard Cooper.
Speaking to MCN, Hickman said: “It’s a race I’ve wanted to do for ages, the banking is unique and we’re going there as the official Triumph factory team. Daytona is still an iconic event. It’s probably not the event it used to be, but having said that over the last four years Daytona has got stronger and stronger, and the grid for this year’s racing is massive and includes a lot of Europeans.”
Given his physical size and the huge impact top speed and slipstream has around the ultra-fast banking, Hickman knows that it won’t be easy for him to fight for top honours despite his unquestionable pace. And this is one of the main reasons for him drafting in Richard Cooper to race alongside him.
“Coopes has obviously done it before. It was when it was all superbikes and he did it on the BMW Boxer. I think they took the piss when he arrived, but he ended up finishing fifth, which is one of the reasons why I’ve employed him to ride as my teammate. I’m under no illusion that I’m big for a supersport class bike, especially with all the slipstreaming, which is why I need to put someone on the bike that I feel has a real good chance of winning the race and Coopes is that person.”
No FHO at the NW200
While Hickman has added another race to his schedule with the Daytona 200, MCN understands that he won’t be racing at this year’s NW200 onboard the FHO Superbike. Last year the team were unable to compete following a technical ruling regarding
‘We’re going as the Triumph factory team’
the use of carbon wheels on their BMW M1000RR.
It means that the FHO Racing team will not attend, but Hickman will still be at the race meeting to campaign his PHR Racing supertwin, supersport and superstock machines.
Speaking to MCN, FHO team manager Darren Jones said: “We’re not going to the North West 200. A little because of what happened last year, that left a bit of a nasty taste in the mouth and doesn’t help, but also the calendar is really tight and that puts you on the back foot.
“You have a BSB round, straight to the NW, back to BSB, to the TT and back to BSB. I’d rather just focus on what we’re doing and be better prepared for the TT rather than rushing around.”