Honda Racing return with familiar three rider line-up for 2016 MCE BSB

Honda Racing will feature an unchanged line up for the 2016 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season as the Louth-based team return with Dan Linfoot, Jason O’Halloran and Jenny Tinmouth for the second consecutive campaign aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Linfoot qualified for the Showdown in his debut season with the title-winning team, ending the championship in fifth place. The 27-year-old had a dream start to his season with a podium finish at Donington Park, before a crash during practice at Brands Hatch left him with a broken wrist and subsequently missed two rounds. On his return Linfoot celebrated a further three podium finishes before the end of the season.

27-year-old O’Halloran continues his recovery ahead of his sixth season with Honda and his second in the Superbike category, having previously competed for the manufacturer in the British Supersport and National Superstock 1000 Championships. O’Halloran had been holding a position inside the top six in the standings including a double podium finish at Snetterton before his crash at Thruxton left him sidelined with a broken femur and left hand.

Tinmouth has been working her way through the ranks of the support classes before becoming the first female rider to join the MCE BSB grid and score a championship point. Last season the Ellesmere Port-based contender continued to improve her pace throughout the championship events and is keen to build on those foundations into the second consecutive season with the title-winning team.

Linfoot said: “I am really excited to be staying with Honda Racing next season and the continuity into 2016 is what I needed and I think we can really build on 2015. We should have some improvements for next year and we can hit the ground running in pre-season testing so we can keep pushing on forward.

“Over the past two seasons we have finished fifth overall in the standings, and last year that included missing some races through injury, so we really want to be fighting for more next year. I think we should be fighting for the top three in the standings, that is my goal and my obvious focus is to be scoring podiums immediately at the start of the season and keep consistent to get into the Showdown. I want to be in a position to step up next year and I think myself and the Honda Racing team will be able to work together to achieve that.”

O’Halloran said: “I’m really pleased to be staying with Honda, in what will be my sixth year with them. To have their support after my injury and missing the second half of the season has kept me going and makes me just want to come back stronger than ever. When I got injured I was lying fifth in the championship, finding my feet and felt like I could have secured a place in the Showdown, so it was a huge blow to myself and the team that I was forced to pull out. It’s been a tough few months recovering from the injuries, but these things either make or break you and I am probably stronger now than I have ever been, and can’t wait to get back on my Fireblade for testing in the New Year.

“I think going into 2016 we’re in a better position than we were this year, we learnt a lot during the first few rounds and I think we can have a strong championship and the Showdown is obviously the aim and once you are there anything is possible. We have seen that before in previous years. We have a great package with the bike and the team so I see no reason why we can’t be challenging for podiums from the start and we have as much of a shot as everyone else.”

Tinmouth said: “I’m over the moon to be part of the Honda Racing team for a second year; it was a dream come true when I was asked to join last year and to be back for next year is just mega! This year I got to know the Fireblade, the team and we collected a lot of good data, so we can go into the next season with most of the hard work done and just get cracking. It’s really good to also have Dan and Jason in the team again; they have been great to have in the garage and always offering help and support. I can’t wait now until our testing starts in March; I’m counting down the days!”

Team Manager Havier Beltran said: It’s a great opportunity for Honda and the riders to be working together for a second year in Superbike, to be able to further develop the Fireblade and also each of the riders. It was a bit of a mixed year for us in 2015 with both Dan and Jason sustaining injuries, which for sure hampered our results. But on a positive note the results they both received showed what they are capable of and if Jason hadn’t been injured then I believe we would have had two riders in the Showdown this year. I can see the determination and focus in all riders with their training regimes, which they have all started in readiness for next year. We’re looking forward to our opening test in March to see what progress they have all made over the winter with their training and just can’t wait to get started now.”

Nick Campolucci, Head of Motorcycles, Honda (UK) commented: “We’re pleased to have re-signed all three riders for the 2016 season and feel it’s important that we have done this to show our commitment and faith in all three. It hasn’t been an easy return for us coming back into the championship after a year out with Dan getting injured early on, but his return and strength after missing some rounds to secure a place in the Showdown and finish fifth overall showed everyone what he’s capable of with the CBR.

“Also for Jason it was a huge blow for him and the team after such a promising start, and having to miss the rest of the season due to his injuries from Thruxton. We know what Jason is capable of and can’t wait to see him back on the Fireblade next year, stronger and more determined than before. Jenny had a season building on the CBR and did impress with her determination, it’s not been an easy year for her, but we know that she is fast and with a few little tweaks and work over the winter, we have faith that she can come back and fight for top-20 finishes. We’re very positive about the 2016 season and can’t wait to get going to see what the year brings.”

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com