Tarran Mackenzie gets new crew chief in Mick Shanley

Technical Director at PETRONAS MIE Honda, Mick Shanleyꦰ will keep his current role while also joining Mackenzie’s side of the garage.

Tarran Mackenzie, Race 1, Australian WorldSBK, 24 February
Tarran Mackenzie, Race 1, Australian WorldSBK, 24 February

Previously working with Loris Baz and Luca Mahias, Mick Shanley’s first day occupying both roles took place on day-one of the Catalunya WorldSBK test.

Mackenzie, who 🐷is entering his rookie season, was formerly working wit♏h Antonio Puchades. 

“I’ve had a change of crew chief, which has been a major step,” said Mackenzie. “Mick’s now t⛎he crew chief. It’s been a step for me, he’s English speaking and I’ve known him for a long time🔥.

“He started𓃲 on Thursday. That’s been a good thing. It was more a team decision I think, just something that suits me a little bit.

“Speaking the same language helps a lot, Mick’s got a lot of 🦂experience, comes from a similar background to me with BSB.

“I’ve known hi𝓡m a long tim𝓀e but also worked with him a bit last year in WorldSSP. It’s been a nice change.”

While Shanley’s experience is vast as a crew ch🍸ief, the same can be said for the role of technical director.

Speaking about the new෴ role, Shanley said: “I’m kind of in a double role at the moment! We made some decisions in the team to try and help Tarran get a bit more comfortable.

“The communication style was probably a bit more difficult at the start of the season, and I won the job o𝓰f moving in to help Tarran out and getting him to feel a bit more comfortable and confident.

“I’ve done 12 months out of it, with the overview, but it’s good to have the relationship with HRC and the rider as well; be a bit more in touch, ♑closely, with what’s♚ happening with the bike.

🐽“I’m still Technical Director as the link to HRC, it keeps me hands on in all aspects! It’s busy, very busy, but I’m enjoying it.

“I think, obviously, we don’t want to upset things and to find a good level crew chief at this time of year i⛄s difficult.

“It’ll probably be me that’ll handle it for the rest of the season to keep continuity and a stable base and step by step, ho♑pefully, keep growing the performance level.”

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