BSB: Honda reveal British Supersport plans with Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy will return to the British Supersport Championship next season after joining forces with Honda Racing UK.

It’s the first time since 2009 that the factory Honda squad have entered the Supersport class, with the decision following the announcement of an updated CBR600RR heading to the European market.

• Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for an exclusive interview with Jack Kennedy

The CBR600RR has won six British title previously, the last of which came in 2009 thanks to Steve Plater. Karl Harris (2003 & 2004), Leon Camier (2005), Cal Crutchlow (2006) and Sam Lowes (2010) have also secured the crown onboard the iconic bike.

Honda are leaving no stone left unturned for the big return. Kennedy is a record-breaking four-time British Supersport Champion who has 59 race wins and 112 podiums on his CV.

The Irishman returns to the championship having spent 2023 in the Superbike class with Mar-Train Yamaha, securing a best result of fourth at Brands Hatch and Donington.

“I am super excited to join this Honda project and return to Supersport, I have full confidence that the factory Honda team is the team to provide me with the best Honda CBR600RR,” Kennedy said. “I have never run with a factory team before, so this opportunity is fantastic, it’s a super professional outfit and I am looking forward to getting going and beginning to develop this project.

“To ride for the factory Honda team with the chance to progress if I do the job, I think I am capable of doing is super motivating. There’s a lot of excitement around this new CBR which is great to see.

“The targets are clear, we are there to win. It’s hard not to ignore the pressure of this, it is a factory team and I’ve performed in this class before, but I will take it all on board and I will handle it like I have always done. I will go out there and do my best to deliver results for myself and the team.”

The next generation of Supersport technical regulations has allowed more manufacturers and models to join the class. Ben Currie clinched the title this year onboard the Oxford Products Racing Ducati V2, whilst there were also wins for Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, whilst Triumph also made an appearance on the podium.

“Returning to British Supersport with the Honda CBR600RR and a rider of Jack Kennedy’s calibre is also thoroughly exciting, we return to this series with championship-winning ambition,” Team boss Havier Beltran added. “Jack is a rider of exceptional talent, and I can see that he is going to be a valuable team member.”

Alongside the Supersport effort, Andrew Irwin has re-signed for 2024 in BSB and will be joined by Dean Harrison, who will also contest the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 for the factory team. John McGuinness and Nathan Harrison also remain with Honda on the roads.

• Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for exclusive interviews with Honda Racing UK’s 2024 line-up.