Honda Racing had reason to celebrate at the fifth round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk, with Jason O’Halloran claiming his debut BSB victory ahead of team-mate Dan Linfoot to give the team a dream 1-2 finish. Race two also produced another podium for Linfoot in second place.
Dominating race one, Honda’s duo led the way for the majority of the 16-lap race aboard their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade machines. Trading places throughout, it was a tense race for the Honda squad, who watched on from the garage to see which rider would take their maiden win.
The final nail biting laps saw Linfoot leading The O’Show and it looked like it was set for Linfoot to claim his elusive first win, but a huge slide at the final corner gave his team-mate the room he needed and O’Halloran made his move and took the chequered flag with Linfoot hot on his heels in second place.
The second race saw O’Halloran second on the grid with Linfoot lining up fourth, however it was Yorkshireman Linfoot who stormed ahead and by the second lap was sitting in second place, and set about chasing down race leader Shane Byrne.
Pushing hard throughout, the 28 year-old posted the fastest lap of the race and was hot on Byrne’s heels, keen to take the lead and claim his maiden win. However on lap 13 of 16 the race was red flagged and the result declared with Linfoot taking the second spot, his second podium of the day and scoring 40 all-important points.
Meanwhile team-mate O’Halloran, keen to repeat the success of race one, was involved in a three-way battle for third place over the 13 laps. Pushing his Fireblade the Aussie moved into fourth at one point, but was running fifth as the race result was declared. The results from today see The O’Show third in the championship standings and Linfoot fourth, just five points behind his team-mate.
It was a mixed weekend for the team’s third rider Jenny Tinmouth, who suffered DNF’s in both races after crashing out. Left unhurt from both falls, the Cheshire-based rider did score her fastest time in race one, knocking seconds off her best qualifying lap time.
The Honda Racing team leave Snetterton happy and confident proving that they are still very much in the mix and ready to move further up the standings. The sixth and next round of the championship takes place at Thruxton in Hampshire 22-24 July.
Well I took my first Superbike win today and it’s Honda’s first 1-2 for a long time so it’s fantastic to do it like that and to battle with Dan was really enjoyable. The racing was clean and straightforward and I really enjoyed it – to come across the line first I still can’t quite believe it! Coming into today’s races I knew that we had pace to fight for a podium, but for the win was unbelievable. Race two was a little frustrating and I am a little disappointed after the high of race one, but there are no excuses really, the CBR was good and I felt like I had decent pace. I was passed early on and then I just struggled to get back past Laverty and Haslam, which hampered my race a little. It was frustrating to finish the race with three laps to go, as I felt like I could have fought for the last place on the podium, but it was the right move from the organisers. But it’s been a good weekend and our biggest points haul this year, my first win and Dan’s had two podiums so all in all a fantastic weekend for the team. I’m now looking forward to Thruxton and hopefully getting back on the podium!
Jason O’Halloran / #22
So race one, first loser to my team-mate who beat me to the win! No in all seriousness I’m so pleased for Jason and the whole team, we’ve both given them results today and everyone works so hard, so it’s nice to be able to be here with a 1-2 for Honda. I don’t want to sound disappointed with race one, I made a mistake but we came second and that’s more points towards my Showdown. Race two I’m happy with and to come second to Shakey at that pace I can’t really complain about it. I think we had an equal pace and if I’d been on the back of him I would have been able to make a move, with a bit of bravery. I am starting to believe now that I am good enough to win races and we’re nearly there, I just need some luck on my side and I’m sure it will come soon.
Dan Linfoot / #4
It’s been a bit of a trying weekend really, I think I’ve just been overthinking all weekend and the second race I just cleared my head and started chasing down the group in front of me and my lap times were so much better. I’m leaving here learning not to overthink things! I just want to do well and Dan and Jason are flying so I’m looking to them a bit as I want to be up there too. So thinking about all aspects of the Fireblade, what it’s doing in corners, what I’m doing in corners and just really tying myself in knots with it. The second race was better and lap times were better than qualifying, but I pushed on just a little too hard and tucked the front, but my times were coming down. I’m just sorry for my guys who’ve done a great job all weekend, but now to focus on Thruxton and put this one behind us!
Jenny Tinmouth / #20
Well what a result for Honda Racing today, it’s just incredible what both Jason and Dan have done today. I’m so pleased for both of them and know deep down Dan isn’t happy finishing second in race one, but in a way I’m pleased he feels that way and wanted that win. Jason rode a great race and the pair of them were just unbelievable leading the pack and at one point had a ten-second lead, so an incredible first race and hats off to both of them. The second race again saw Jason get duffed up on a few corners and settled into fifth with a good battle going on for third. Dan had a good run with Shakey too; he dropped a few tenths at one point but got those back and was there with him until the race was unfortunately red flagged. Jenny had a big off, but thankfully she is fine and unhurt, but I need to have a look at that and understand what happened, I know she lost the front on the brakes; it’s frustrating as she’s trying so hard. But overall a fantastic weekend for Honda Racing, Dan and Jason, and it’s great to see the Fireblades back at the sharp end.
Havier Beltran – Honda Racing team manager
Constructor
1 Jason O’HALLORAN 22 29:20.434 Honda
2 Dan LINFOOT 4 0.257 Honda
3 Shane BYRNE 67 10.494 Ducati
4 Billy MCCONNELL 3 13.135 Kawasaki
5 Leon HASLAM 91 14.734 Kawasaki
6 Jake DIXON 27 17.179 BMW
7 Luke MOSSEY 12 18.926 Kawasaki
8 Tommy BRIDEWELL 46 20.404 Suzuki
9 Stuart EASTON 5 27.953 Yamaha
10 Lee JACKSON 14 28.136 BMW
DNF Jenny TINMOUTH 20 Honda
Race two (13 laps)
Pos
Rider
Number
Time
Constructor
1 Shane BYRNE 67 21:52.481 Ducati
2 Dan LINFOOT 4 0.562 Honda
3 Michael LAVERTY 7 3.943 BMW
4 Leon HASLAM 91 4.070 Kawasaki
5 Jason O’HALLORAN 22 4.505 Honda
6 Christian IDDON 24 9.723 BMW
7 Glenn IRWIN 2 9.828 Ducati
8 Peter HICKMAN 60 10.241 Kawasaki
9 Danny BUCHAN 83 11.829 Ducati
10 Tommy BRIDEWELL 46 12.266 Suzuki
DNF Jenny TINMOUTH 20 Honda
Standings
Pos
Rider
Number
Points
Constructor
1 Shane BYRNE 67 156 Ducati
2 Leon HASLAM 91 152 Kawasaki
3 Jason O’HALLORAN 22 116 Honda
4 Dan LINFOOT 4 111 Honda
5 Christian IDDON 24 104 BMW
6 Richard COOPER 47 98 BMW
7 Michael LAVERTY 7 90 BMW
8 James ELLISON 77 89 Kawasaki
9 Peter HICKMAN 60 82 Kawasaki
10 Luke MOSSEY 12 68 Kawasak