Honda Racing UK is pleased to confirm a refreshed but familiar lineup for the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season, welcoming back to the family Andrew Irwin alongside Tom Neave aboard the race-winning Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Andrew has already enjoyed some key milestones with Honda Racing UK, including his first-ever BSB victory at Thruxton in 2019 and victory at Donington Park in what was the debut race for the all-new Fireblade, and he is warmly welcomed back to the Honda Racing family. Tom Neave remains with the Louth-based squad for his second year in the premier class. After a maiden learning season in 2022, the 2021 Pirelli National Superstock Champion is ready to take the next step in his superbike ascent aboard the #68 Fireblade SP. Japanese riders Ryo Mizuno and Takumi Takahashi will move to racing pastures new for the 2023 season. Having enjoyed two seasons of learning new circuits, a new paddock and new culture, the next step in their career will see them leave the BSB paddock, and Honda Racing UK thank them for their contribution to the team. Given their wealth of experience, it is hoped that they will still support the team during testing both before and during next season. Returning to a two-bike team for the 2023 season will see Honda Racing UK continue the absolute focus and commitment which brought five victories and a further five podiums in 2022 with the Fireblade SP. Many of these successes were gained towards the latter stages of the season in the Showdown during which Honda Racing UK outscored all the competition. The focus will be to build on this race winning momentum into next year. Both Andrew and Tom will be attending 2022 Motorcycle Live BSB Sunday on 20th November. Plans for the Honda Racing UK 2023 Roads programme will be announced at a later date. The 2023 British Superbike season gets underway at Silverstone on 7-9 April.

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Honda Racing signs Andrew Irwin and Tom Neave in its BSB and Superstock assaults

– Andrew Irwin joins Honda Racing in British Superbike title assault – Honda returns to the National Superstock 1000 Championship

Honda (UK) is pleased to announce its 2019 racing plans, having signed Andrew Irwin in the British Superbike Championship and Tom Neave in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, as well as supporting Will Lathrope in the Junior Supersport class.

Andrew joins the Honda team after a promising debut season in the Superbike class, which saw a best result of fourth place in the final round at Brands Hatch. Andrew will be looking for strong results and Showdown spots as he contests the 2019 season riding the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

Honda Racing also makes its return to the National Superstock 1000 Championship with Tom, riding the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, who impressed when he rode the Superbike earlier in the year. Finishing as runner-up in 2014, the team will be looking to claim the title in 2019.

As well as challenging in the Superbike and Superstock classes, Honda (UK) is pleased to be supporting young racing talent in the Junior Supersport class with Will Lathrope aboard the Honda CBR500R. Will first rode the machine in the final round of the series this year, securing two sixth places in the process.

The second rider on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 to contest the 2019 British Superbike Championship will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Honda Racing would also like to thank to Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran for their hard work, help and dedication in developing the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2. The riders have been with Honda for 15 years collectively – Dan four years and Jason 11 (Honda Australia and Honda UK). Honda Racing along with Honda (UK) would like to wish them both all the very best for the future.

Andrew Irwin Honda has such a pedigree and most of the top riders in the world have ridden for them at some point in their careers. To be part of that racing history and heritage really excites me. This year was my first year in Superbike and was a huge learning curve! Towards the end of the season I found my way and felt it was all coming together, so now with Harv and the team I will be aiming for the Showdown, which I believe is a realistic target. We will have a full season and also a test programme, which I didn’t have this year and I was still competitive, so we’ll be aiming for the front and I see no reason why we can’t be up there.

Tom Neave I am chuffed to bits to have signed with Honda for 2019, it’s something I have always wanted and worked towards. Honda is such a big name in racing and they are one of the teams you look up to. After my accident at the last round I thought I’d blown my chance, but Harv called, we got the deal done and I am so thankful for this opportunity. I had such a good time with the team over the summer and now to have a full season with them is the consistency I need for my career. I can’t wait to get going now, it’s going to feel like an even longer off-season with my excitement, but as I’m a Lincolnshire lad I can pop to the workshop anytime and see my Fireblade SP2; the lads will be sick of me before the season starts!

Havier Beltran Team Manager Firstly I would like to thank Dan and Jason for all their hard work over the last few years, it’s been a pleasure working with them. Honda (UK), the team and myself would like to wish them both the very best in the next chapter of their careers.

Moving into 2019 we have an exciting season ahead of us with Andrew in the Superbike class, we’re back in Superstock 1000 with Tom and we have the CBR500R with Will in the Junior Supersport class.

Andrew’s talent shone this season and it was great to watch him progress, with a full year and our proceeding testing programme I think we’re going to see good things from Andrew and I’m certain that he’ll be mixing with the front group.

It’s great to have Tom with us too in Superstock 1000, we had great fun with him earlier in the year and again he impressed with his work ethic and determination. We’ve got a busy year ahead with three bikes over two classes and supporting in Junior Supersport, but with the riders and the team we have, I think we can be in for a good year and back at the top, where Honda belongs.

British Superbike

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Andrew Irwin To Ride Be Wiser Ducati

Ulsterman Andrew Irwin will join elder brother Glenn in the Be Wiser Ducati British Superbike Championship Team starting with round four at Snetterton this weekend (June 15/17).

It follows the unfortunate accident which befell six times and reigning Bennetts BSB champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne at the official BSB test at Snetterton last month which left the Londoner with a number of serious injuries and meant he would be out of action for the foreseeable future.

As a result, team owner Paul Bird has recruited the 23 year old from Carrickfergus, who has won at British Supersport Championship level and this year has been contesting the World Supersport Championship with a best result of tenth at Donington Park last month.

Both PBM team riders are testing at Knockhill today prior to the event at Snetterton getting underway on Friday.

Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator:  “The last thing we wanted or indeed expected to be doing was to find another rider in place of Shakey, but we have a responsibility to Ducati, whom we are very proud to represent, as well as our valued sponsors and the series organisers to field two riders where possible. Andrew knows the team and will fit in well despite his lack of experience, which is where Glenn’s help and guidance will be so valuable moving forwards. Shakey is still an integral part of our team and, being the professional he is, he fully understands the situation and supports the decision to bring Andrew in at this time.”  

Andrew Irwin: “To be given an opportunity with one of the best teams in the paddock is amazing and I can’t thank everyone at PBM and Be Wiser Ducati enough. This is going to be a very steep learning curve but one which doesn’t daunt me, as I know with everyone’s help it will be made a lot easier, and who better to have on the other side of the garage than my big brother! I’ll give it my all and hope the results reflect the effort I’ll be putting in. I’d like to wish Shakey well in his recovery and I’ll do my best to keep the seat warm for him!”