Dean Harrison prepares for BSB return with Honda Racing
Honda Racing hero Dean Harrison, winner of the team’s first two Isle of Man TT victories for a decade earlier this summer, will return to BSB action at Oulton Park on October 3-5, standing in for the injured Andrew Irwin.
On the road racing programme, competing alongside Honda legend John McGuinness MBE, Harrison has not failed to reach the podium in 2025, whether competing on the Honda CBR600RR in the Supersport class or the Honda Fireblade in both Superstock and Superbike trim.
In addition to his road racing programme, the Yorkshireman has competed in the Quattro British Supersport Championship alongside five-time series champion Jack Kennedy with positive results throughout the BSB season.
The strength of Harrison’s performance this year makes him the ideal candidate to fill in for Irwin, who injured his arm at Donington Park during Round 8 of the 2025 BSB season after a string of podium finishes in the preceding rounds.
In order to facilitate Irwin’s full recovery from the injury and subsequent surgery, Harrison will carry the number 55 on his BSB return, riding alongside Tommy Bridewell at both Oulton Park and the season finale at Brands Hatch on October 17-19. Kennedy will meanwhile carry on battling to retain his Supersport crown in a single Honda Racing entry.
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Dean Harrison
“I’m quite excited, actually, although in fairness I’ve been enjoying my time on the CBR600RR. Unfortunately, Andrew’s been injured and it’s not the way that anyone would want to join BSB, but I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t ridden a Superbike on a short circuit since March - obviously, I’ve raced it on the roads, but comparing the TT and Oulton Park is a bit like chalk and cheese! It’s going to be an eye-opener because the team’s done so much development work in the last six months. I’ve got a lot of things to learn with the team. Obviously, I shall support Jack’s bid for the Supersport championship in whatever way I can, we work very closely together each weekend, but I’m sure he’s going to be alright!”
Andrew Irwin
“Looking back over the season, from Knockhill onwards we really hit a sweet spot where we were super fast and super consistent, and I’m proud of the results this year. I think it hurts more that it was all going in the right direction when a small mistake had such a massive price to it with the injury. But I don’t think that there’s a better person to step into my shoes than Dean. He’s been the main guy at the TT and on the roads, and I’m delighted that he’s getting the opportunity to see the improvements that we’ve made to the bike. I’ll still be coming and supporting the team, and Dean in particular, and I’m sure he’s going to make the most of being out there.”
Team Principal Neil Fletcher
“When it comes to having a ‘super-sub’ on hand to fill in for one of our BSB riders, Dean fits the bill perfectly. He has enjoyed a supremely competitive season with Honda Racing and BSB is familiar territory to him, with seven seasons in the Superbike class under his belt. Obviously, the circumstances are not ideal, and we continue to support Andrew in his recovery and share his disappointment that he won’t be racing again before the end of the year after such a strong summer.”