Honda announce 2014 British plans

Honda Racing UK have finalised their 2014 British championship racing plans, with three machines in the National Superstock 1000 series alongside their already confirmed wildcard appearances in the main MCE British Superbike class.

Former Australian champion Jason O’Halloran will remain with the team but make the move from 600cc to 1000cc, and is joined by World Endurance rider Freddy Foray and TT racer Conor Cummins, with O’Halloran and Foray running in the Honda Fireblade SP roadbike tricolore design while Cummins will be under the banner of RAF Reserves Racing.

As reported last week, reigning EWC champion Julien Da Costa will compete at four rounds of the main BSB series as a wildcard, racing the bike Alex Lowes won the title on at Snetterton, Donington Park, Silverstone and the final Brands Hatch outing, alongside his endurance duties with Foray and Sebastien Gimbert. O’Halloran will also join the EWC team as reserve rider.

Team boss Neil Tuxworth: “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. 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.”

O’Halloran added: “This will be my fourth consecutive season with Honda UK and my seventh year as a Honda rider (I spent three years with Honda Australia before I came to the UK). Honda has played a big part in my racing career so it’s great to be continuing with them for 2014. 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 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.”