Honda Fireblade, born to race
As the 2023 season quickly gathers steam, Honda’s involvement on the roads and in the highly competitive Bennetts British Superbike Championship paddock has swelled with remarkable success.
Just four seasons ago in 2019, lining up on the BSB grid were two solitary Honda Fireblades, both of which were run by the factory owned Honda Racing UK team. Today, in the premiere class of the series, there are no fewer than seven Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SPs, a remarkable 25% of the total grid.
Furthermore, in the Pirelli National Superstock championship, a racing class closely aligned to the specifications of the road going model, there are 24 entries who have chosen the Fireblade as their racing steed. Reinforcing Honda’s commitment to two wheeled racing, but also reaffirming the competitiveness of the latest iteration of the famous model.
Stength in numbers can also easily be identified in the increased presence of Honda mounted riders on the start line of the Isle of Man TT Races. In 2022, the first year that the latest model Fireblade raced the famous mountain course just 3 of the top 20 starters in the Superbike and Senior TT races were on a Honda. This year 11 riders, over 50% of the top 20 starters, will line up at the start line on a Honda.
Honda’s successful model is not just represented in the number of teams and riders choosing to race the motorcycle, but also in its racing achievements. The latest model Fireblade has secured 10 race victories and a further 13 podiums since its introduction to British Superbike Championship racing in 2020, with a highest championship finish of second in 2022.
It has also secured back-to-back Superstock 1000 championship wins with riders Tom Neave and Davey Todd respectively and has achieved 23 wins and 31 podiums since entering the championship in 2020.
At the first two rounds of the Superstock championship this year at Silverstone and Oulton Park, the Honda Fireblade achieved a podium lockout in all of the races with five different riders and teams.
Proof indeed that the Honda Fireblade is indeed born to race.
Havier Beltran, Honda Racing UK Team Manager:
I am immensely proud to see the enormous growth in the number of teams choosing to run the Honda Fireblade in the Bennetts British Superbike paddock. It showcases the strength of the package at both Superbike and Superstock level and helps to showcase all of the hard work that takes place behind the scenes to put together such a competitive package. To have secured back-to-back championships in Superstock with different riders and to have multiple different race winners across multiple classes all proves the flexibility of the machine.
Neil Fletcher, Head of Motorcycles, Honda UK:
The increased number of teams choosing to run the latest model of the road-going Fireblade justifies all of the hard work, dedication and commitment that Honda has invested over the years. Honda is synonymous with two wheeled motorsport and the strength and depth of teams choosing to run the latest iteration of the Fireblade is proof of the model’s success. Race wins, championships victories, NW200 successes and podiums at the Isle of Man TT….we are sure there are still more accolades to come.
The Bennetts British Superbike teams and riders racing the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP are:
*denotes riding on the roads
Honda Racing UK - Andrew Irwin & Tom Neave
Crendon by Hawk Racing - Josh Owens
Lovell Kent Racing - Danny Kent
MasterMac by Hawk Racing - Charlie Nesbitt
Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles - Davey Todd*
TAG Racing - Hector Barbera
Pirelli National Superstock teams and riders racing the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP are:
*denotes riding on the roads
Honda Racing UK - John McGuinness* & Nathan Harrison*
AMD Motorsport - Richard Kerr
Bathams Racing - Craig Neve*
Ben Luxton Racing - Ben Luxton
C&L Fairburn Properties Jackson Racing - Billy Mcconnell, Simon Reid & David Johnson*
Corkie Racing - Kieran Smith
Cumins by team IWR Honda - Alex Olsen
Elite Fleet Care Powered by JR Performance - Daniel Brooks
Hawk Racing - Michael Dunlop*
Jones Dorling Racing - Ash Beech
JR Performance Racing - Joe Talbot
JW MOT Centre - Josh Wainwright
KTS Racing - Jamie Coward*
Marvel HCL Motorsport - Franco Bourne
Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles - Conor Cummins* & David Allingham
Optimum Bikes Racing Ltd - Dan Linfoot & Brent Harran
Slipps Road Racing - Steven Smith
TAG Racing - Shaun Winfield & Matt Truelove
Additional Road racing teams and riders
Ashcourt Racing - Lee Johnston
Bathams Racing - Michael Rutter
Smiths Motors / JR Performance - Gary Johnson