Honda has confirmed its involvement in the 2014 British Superbike Championship with the unveiling of its three riders in both the Superbike and Superstock 1000 categories.
Former Australian Supersport Champion Jason O’Halloran will ride alongside double Endurance World Champion Freddy Foray for a full-season run in the Superstock 1000 class, aboard the new tricolour-liveried Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP.
“Honda has played a big part in my racing career so it’s great to be continuing with them for 2014,” said O’Halloran. “I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead this season and I’m especially looking forward to racing the new Fireblade SP. With the new machine and Honda (UK) behind me I believe we have everything in place to succeed and I won’t be looking for anything less than a championship win. I’ve worked hard over the winter to prepare and I can’t wait to get started.”
Meanwhile, current Endurance World Champion Julien Da Costa will compete at four events of the British Superbike Championship for Honda. Riding at Snetterton, Donington Park, Silverstone and the season finale at Brands Hatch, Da Costa’s outings will act as part of the development of the CBR1000RR Fireblade ahead of a planned full-time return to the championship in 2015.
“While we’re obviously disappointed not to be defending our 2013 British Superbike title but we’re very pleased to have some involvement in the championship for 2014,” said Honda (UK) Racing boss, Neil Tuxworth. “Julien Da Costa competing in four rounds of the Superbike championship will enable us to continue developing the Fireblade machine ready for a full return to the class in 2015. We’re also excited to be contesting all rounds of the Superstock season with the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. We’ve retained the services of Jason O’Halloran – who has won Superstock races for us before – and we’re also very pleased to welcome double EWC championship Freddy Foray to the team. It’s a strong line-up in road racing and we’re coming with a strong effort in off-road too in 2014. We’re looking forward to bringing home some positive results this season.”
As well as competing on the British circuit racing scene, Honda will also be present in the British Motocross Championship and Pro Nationals series with Buildbase Honda and Putoline Apico Honda, respectively. While the British Superbike season doesn’t start until April 21 at Brands Hatch, the British Motocross Championship kicks off this coming weekend (March 16) at Landrake MotoParc in Cornwall.