BSB: Jason O'Halloran signs 2024 deal with Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki

Jason O’Halloran will race onboard a ZX-10RR in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next year after signing a deal with Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki.

The Aussie joins after spending the last five seasons with McAMS Yamaha, who are pulling out of the championship following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

• Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for an exclusive interview with Jason O’Halloran

O’Halloran has been a constant at the front of the championship in the last few years, finished second in 2020 before missing out to teammate Tarran Mackenzie during the Showdown phase in 2021. Together, O’Halloran and Yamaha have celebrated 25 victories, making him their most successful BSB rider in terms of race wins.

‘’To have a 2024 contract signed in August is a great feeling, but it’s an even better feeling knowing I will be joining FS-3 Kawasaki,” O’Halloran said. “With my current team coming to a close at the end of 2023, it was always going to mean finding a new home for next season.

‘’When I first met with Nigel, Darren and the team at FS-3, I immediately had a good feeling. I already knew from the years competing against them of the level they operate at, but once I visited the team workshop and sat down with the guys, I knew that it was a place I could continue to push myself and further my career in BSB.

“With the support of Alan Boyden from AJN Steelstock, we are all going to be in a position to push onto a new level and chase success in the 2024 BSB championship. I’d like to thank Nigel and Darren from FS-3, Ross from Kawasaki and Alan from AJN Steelstock for making this possible. I’m excited about the future.”

It’ll be the first time that O’Halloran has raced a Kawasaki having spent four Superbike seasons with Honda Racing UK prior to his Yamaha switch in 2019. O’Halloran secured a single victory onboard the Fireblade, taken at Snetterton in 2016.

So far this season O’Halloran has four victories and eight podiums, and currently sits fourth in the championship.

“We are excited to have Jason joining us for the 2024 season and must thank Alan Boyden from AJN Steelstock for his help in supporting Jason’s move to our team,” Team Owner, Nigel Snook said. “We all know that Jason is one of the strongest and most successful riders on the grid. We believe the combination of Jason and a further improved Ninja ZX-10RR will put us in a strong position to be fighting for race wins and the British Superbike Championship crown.”

O’Halloran will race alongside Max Cook, who has been handed a new deal after an impressive rookie campaign. The reigning Junior Superstock champion has been making progress each round, enjoying a breakthrough weekend at Thruxton with a pair of fourths – as well as leading a BSB race for the first time.

‘’I’m so happy to be staying with the team for 2024,” Cook said. “This year has been a huge learning curve for me, but I think I’ve adapted well, and things have really come together over the past few rounds. I’m confident that I will be up at the sharp end next year and being alongside Jason is a great incentive.

“I think I’ve shocked some people this year, including myself, as to how quickly I’ve learnt to ride a superbike. I can’t thank Nigel enough for always having faith in me and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

O’Halloran’s arrival means that Lee Jackson will be leaving the team after six years. During that time with the team, Jackson has won two BSB races and collected a total of 12 podiums in the premier class.

Before moving up into the Superbike category in 2020, Jackson claimed three wins for the team in the Superstock class, as well as a total of 11 podiums.

‘’Of course, while we are looking forward to Jason joining us, it does mean that sadly we are parting company with Lee Jackson,” Snook added. “Lee has been part of the FS-3 family for six years, and we have shared many high points together, from Superstock podiums and wins through to his first BSB wins at Oulton Park last year.

“We wish Lee all the best for 2024 and beyond and will be giving him our full support until the final chequered flag falls at Brands Hatch in October.”

• Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for an exclusive interview with Jason O’Halloran