Honda Racing UK signs off 2026 BSB Championships with a win.
A weekend shaped by changeable weather ended with an emphatic demonstration of Vickers’ talent aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Launching from seventh on the grid, Ryan took a sensational holeshot into turn one before delivering a commanding performance in the wet to claim his fifth victory of the campaign.
The result secured fourth in the championship with 435 points, rounding out a season in which Vickers recorded ten podium finishes. O’Halloran concluded his campaign 12th overall with 178 points.
Jason had set the early benchmark on Friday, topping the opening free practice session with a lap of 1:36.050. His final lap of the session put him 0.244 seconds clear of his nearest challenger, underlining his confidence in the difficult conditions. Ryan began his weekend seventh fastest, with both sides of the Honda Racing UK garage adapting as the weather and circuit conditions evolved.
Qualifying brought a strong performance from Vickers, whose 1:24.641 secured third on the grid, just 0.243 seconds from pole position. O’Halloran narrowly missed progression from Q1 and lined up 17th for the opening race.
Ryan converted his front-row start into third place in race one, finishing just 1.461 seconds behind the winner, while Jason gained five positions to take 12th.
This final round presented presented a particularly challenging race environment at the front of the pace. Racing among riders balancing outright speed with the positions they needed to secure their final championship standings added a tactical dimension to the battles. With rivals managing risk and defending crucial places, finding a way through demanded patience and firm decisions.
Fifth in the second race kept Vickers firmly in the leading fight, just 2.169 seconds from victory and little more than a tenth away from fourth. O’Halloran added another points finish in 12th as the team prepared for the final outing of the year.
Heavy rain then forced a delay to the last race, extending the wait for riders, teams and the committed spectators who remained trackside in the dreadful weather.
When racing finally got under way, Vickers made the wait worthwhile. A brilliant launch from the third row carried the number seven Honda to the front into Paddock Hill Bend. From that first corner, Ryan produced a display of pace, precision and control that rewarded the fans brave enough to withstand the conditions and gave Honda Racing UK a memorable finish to the season.
Over 14 demanding laps, Vickers demonstrated his ability to impose himself on a race in the wet, taking the chequered flag 0.433 seconds ahead of Kyle Ryde.
O’Halloran also ended the season with a strong ride, progressing from ninth on the grid to seventh at the flag to put both Honda Racing UK machines inside the top seven.
The final victory reflects a season of exceptional effort across both sides of the Superbike garage. Throughout the challenges of 2026, the entire team supporting Jason and Ryan have continued to work with steadfast resolve, pushing for progress at every round.
Honda Racing UK now turns its collective attention to a winter training and testing programme, building on the lessons of this season and carrying the momentum of a winning finale into preparations for the 2027 British Superbike Championship.
The team thanks its partners and supporters for their commitment throughout the year, and every fan who stayed to share a rain-soaked final victory at Brands Hatch.
Ryan Vickers
What a way to finish the year! It's been a proper rollercoaster, we pushed so hard as a team at the start to find a solution to the challenges both Jason and myself felt. Brands Hatch is one of my favourite circuits to ride at and to be stood on the top step for the last race of the season feels like a bit of a reward to me and to the team for all of their efforts. I looked across the track from the top step and saw a sea of fans all braving the wet and cold to help us celebrate. I can't thank the fans enough for the support they showed me over the championship season. I'll take some time out but not too much, our preparation for the 2027 Championship will be underway before you know it. I'd like to thank my mum and dad for coming to every round and supporting me so strongly, Roger Burnett and my personal sponsors and Neil Fletcher and the team at Honda Racing UK for their continued commitment to me. I cannot wait for next year.
#22 Jason O'Halloran
I felt comfortable from the first session and topped the timesheets, the pace was a combination of my setup matching the conditions perfectly and my experience at Brands Hatch coming into play. Following that session I was chasing a setup that delivered what I needed in order to match the conditions, the bike felt a little aggressive and when it's damp or drying at Brands, that isn't ideal. I pushed hard and enjoyed the racing although that last race was particularly tough to read due to the rain and the low temperature. Delaying the race was the right thing to do as when there's standing water here, the spray makes it impossible to see the bikes in front. Finishing in the top seven with Ryan on the top step felt good, a great way to round out the 2026 championship season. I'd like to thank the team, my sponsors and Honda Racing.
