Honda (UK) have shared with MotorMartin that they are pleased to announce that Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran will remain with the Honda Racing squad for the 2018 British Superbike Championship, once again spearheading the team’s assault on the series aboard the all-new Fireblade.
It’s been explained to MotorMartin that the decision to keep both riders, is a unique set-up in the British Superbike paddock as 2018 will mark Jason’s 11th year as an official Honda rider, his eighth with Honda UK, and for Dan the new season will be his fourth consecutive year with the Honda team.
2017 was a solid season for the Louth-based squad who spent the year developing the all-new Fireblade and with both Dan and Jason playing an integral part in the machines development, they helped turn it into a double-BSB winner, as Dan secured his maiden BSB win. The season also brought five podiums, as well as an all-important Showdown spot for Jason, who wrapped up the year fifth in the overall championship standings.
Honda Racing is now preparing for an extensive testing programme across the winter, which sees the first test take place at Jerez in Spain in a few weeks time, as the team prepares to hit the 2018 season with full force and be challenging from the start.
Before Dan and Jason head to Spain they will be present at Motorcycle Live, the UK’s biggest bike show, at The NEC, Birmingham on Saturday 18 November on Honda’s stand (2D20, 2E15).
To keep up to date with all the latest new from the Honda Racing team over the off-season, follow @HondaRacingBSB on Twitter, or like the teams Facebook page.
Dan Linfoot:
It’s great to be with Honda again for what will be my fourth consecutive year with the team. Consistency is what I have always wanted with a team and the ability to build on the previous years results and this is what I have been able to do with Honda. We spent this year developing the all-new Fireblade and all the hard work paid off during the final part of the year when I was rewarded with my first race win – I waited so long for a win and then a second one comes along the week after! It was a great feeling to get that win and also to claim the first BSB win for the new Blade. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the development for the new machine this year and yes at times, it wasn’t easy but we learnt a lot and developed so much, so it’s mega to now go into the 2018 BSB season with the information we have from this year, and be able to build on that. We’ve got a test coming up in a few weeks time, which is great news for myself and Jason, so we’ll be ready to hit the ground running in the New Year and look to be in the 2018 Showdown fighting at the top and for the championship.
Jason O’Halloran:
I’m really pleased to be staying with Honda Racing for 2018; I have been with Honda for a long time now so it’s good to be continuing for another year. 2017 was a good year but it did have its ups and downs with the new Fireblade and the development work throughout the season, so our consistency wasn’t to the level I would have liked, but we worked hard throughout to improve all the time. Finishing the season how we did at Brands Hatch in second place, was a nice way to finish the season – we had the fastest lap of the race and was just half a second off the win – so I know that from the start of next year we can be competitive from the first round. We have a good testing programme coming up, which starts at Jerez in a few weeks time, which I am really looking forward to. I know 2018 will be a stronger year for myself, Dan and also Honda as we can continue from what we have learnt and developed this year. We made it to the Showdown, collected some podiums and finished 2017 on a high, so we just need to step it up another gear now and really challenge for the championship next season. We’re going to give 2018 everything we have, go into the season on a positive note and look forward to having a strong year.
Havier Beltran, Honda Racing Team Manager:
It’s great to have Dan and Jason back with Honda Racing for another year, 2018 will be Dan’s fourth consecutive year with us and for Jason, well he’s pretty much part of the furniture now, having been with Honda UK for eight years and 11 years as an official Honda rider. For us I feel that consistency is the key and especially after this year with the all-new Fireblade and the development and hard work everyone has put in. With what we know now and an extensive testing programme ahead of us, I am feeling quietly confident ahead of the 2018 season. This year did have its highs and lows for us, but taking the positives Jason secured a place in the all-important Showdown finishing the season fifth and Dan finally scored his first race win, and then followed up with another win. I’m looking forward to next year and continuing the development of the Fireblade in order for Honda Racing to maximise its full potential.
There’s a feeling up here on the top floor of MotorMartin Towers that 2018 might just be Honda’s year.
Where will you go?