Former Superbike World Champion Neil Hodgson is testing a Honda CBR1000RR Superbike this weekend at California Speedway, in Fontana, California, in preparation for a one-off race appearance with the Corona Extra Honda AMA Superbike team July 20-22 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “I’ve stayed in touch with Dwayne [McCracken, Corona Extra Honda Crew Chief] and Tim [Saunders, Corona Extra Honda Team Principal] throughout the year,” Hodgson told Roadracingworld.com Friday from the paddock of California Speedway. “I think I spoke to them at Daytona, and they said they might be interested in putting something together at some point during the season. So I just stayed in touch with these guys. Tim actually came out to the Isle of Man during the TT races, and I had a chat with him there. He said there was a possibility of something happening. And here I am.” “This is not in place of James,” clarified Saunders. “Neil is obviously interested in getting back out on a bike, and we had the opportunity through Honda to give him a bike. And that’s what we’re working towards. It’s all come together in very short notice. The support from Honda allows this all to happen. They’ve just been fantastic.” Saunders said Hodgson did not and will not ride one of Ellison’s bikes but a completely different CBR1000RR Superbike supplied by American Honda, possibly a test mule from its R&D department. How did it go Friday? “It’s been a tough day, to be honest,” said Hodgson. “It’s quite awkward because we’re actually taking part in a [Fastrack Riders] track day. I’m obviously in the fast group (laughs), but it’s quite strange. It’s a new team and me riding a different bike, so it’s been quite a tough day, to be honest. We’ve been working through some things, and we’ve definitely got a direction for tomorrow and two more days of riding. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday, I should be there or thereabouts.” Although he spent many years racing V-Twin Ducatis, Hodgson is no stranger to four-cylinder machines. In fact, he recently tested a GSX-R1000 for the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike team. “All I need is a Kawasaki and a Yamaha and I’ve got the full house,” Hodgson joked. When asked about the differences between riding a V-Twin and riding a 1000cc four-cylinder, Hodgson said, “Obviously, they’re completely different. I’m slowly starting to understand them. What’s funny is the biggest difference is they [1000cc four-cylinders] feel really big. The Ducati is quite small, so they feel huge. It feels like you’re riding a much bigger bike. But the change of direction is usually quite easier on the four-cylinder than the Ducati. The Ducati just wants to go straight all the time, so it’s quite weird, really.” Even though he has served as a test rider for Bridgestone on Ducati MotoGP machines and Superbikes — this season, Hodgson is riding on and will race on Dunlops, just like Ellison. “At the moment, I’m not making any predictions because I’m a long ways off where I want to be,” Hodgson said, when asked what he hoped to come of his ride on the Corona Extra Honda. “If you speak to me on Sunday I’ll tell you how it’s looking. I don’t expect a lot at the moment, just because I’m behind the eight-ball, let’s say, just a little bit. I’m just looking to get some experience on four-cylinders and try to have some fun.”