Honda Racing returns to Donington Park for BSB Round 2

Tommy Bridewell

“Our performance in the opening round wasn’t what we are capable of. Obviously, we were overtaken by events as a sport at Oulton Park and I absolutely know from personal experience how deeply our motorcycle racing community feels these things. We will all be conscious of what happened, but I am committed to giving my best, and while Donington’s not necessarily the strongest track for the bike, I’ve always ridden well there. My expectation is to be fighting for the podium this weekend. We hit that target five times in the six races together at Donington in 2024 and we have to start performing at that level consistently from now on to realistically be in the championship battle. I am looking forward to seeing whether the improvements made at the North West 200 last week will transfer to the BSB programme and help put us in a better place for the rest of the season.”

Andrew Irwin

“I think that Donington will prove to be the weekend when I kickstart my season. The plan is that I get passed fit to ride on Friday, then take part in the first Free Practice session and assess where we are. I believe that my recovery from the shoulder injury that I picked up is going to plan and I’m confident that I will be back to riding like any other BSB weekend. Obviously, it isn’t a normal race weekend. I think we will all be keeping Owen, Shane and their families close to our hearts and Tom as well. From my perspective, Donington Park is much less physical than somewhere like Oulton Park and then afterwards we have five weeks off before Round 3 at Snetterton when I can really focus on completing my recovery. I’ve won three races at Donington in the past, it’s my most successful track on a Superbike and I always enjoy racing there. We were relatively competitive in pre-season testing there. The weather looks to be warm and sunny and that will help us, the Honda Fireblade is very kind to its tyres and the long race suits us so, fingers crossed, we will be strong."

Jack Kennedy

“I’ve had a lot of good results at Donington previously, I think it was really the turning point in our 2024 season where I was able to get on the podium and take some good points on the way to what was ultimately our fifth title. I think overall we’ve got a stronger package with the CBR600RR this year than we had last year, and with the weather conditions that are expected, warm and with plenty of sunshine, that’s really going to help us with the tyres over the course of the 18-lap feature race in particular. I’m looking forward to seeing my crew and being back with the team but obviously Owen and Shane are also going to be particularly in our thoughts. It’s a tough one to manage, what to think or say about it, but those lads loved racing as much as anyone. They will definitely be in my thoughts. I was friendly with Owen in particular, we talked a lot over the last year and I was privileged that he asked me for advice when it came to things like contracts and how he wanted his career to go longer term. So I think it will be a busy weekend, a lot of things to do on the track, but hopefully a strong one for us all in which those missing riders will be very present for us all.” 

Dean Harrison

“I’m confident that it won’t take long for me to recalibrate from riding on the roads last week with the team on the North West 200 to getting back into the swing of things in the BSB Supersport class on a smaller circuit. It’s a very different type of competition, but performing well over the last week does carry some momentum forward. The warm weather will be in our favour and the fast, flowing parts of the circuit are really enjoyable and where I feel at my best on the Honda CBR600RR. I’ve got the best benchmark possible in my team-mate, and I’m happy with my pace relative to Jack as a five-time champion in Supersport, so I think that both of us can look forward to a positive weekend at Donington after the tragedy at Oulton Park. Obviously our thoughts will be with the riders who will be missing this weekend and their families.” 

Team Manager Havier Beltran

 

“The opening round of this year’s British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park gave Honda Racing, its riders and everyone within the motorcycle racing community a great deal to think about. First in those thoughts, and most importantly by far, have been, and remain, the riders who are missing from the paddock this weekend and their families. 

 

“In our preparations, we have been working with Andrew Irwin to ensure that he is fit to race this weekend after a nasty fall at the first round, and we will be monitoring his progress closely throughout the weekend. Finally, we now have a clear picture of where we are competitively in both the Superbike and Supersport classes, with clear targets to achieve. I am proud of the way in which the team has been working over the past fortnight, delivering strong performances at the North West 200 and now returning to BSB action in what is a very busy opening segment of our racing calendar.”