#hondaracinguk

Honda Racing UK is pleased to release its new racing livery for its 2023 assault on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the International Road Racing season, where it will participate in both the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT races. As recently announced, on board the Fireblade will be Andrew Irwin and Tom Neave competing in the British Superbike Championship and John McGuinness MBE and Nathan Harrison for the roads programme. This year’s livery is heavily influenced by the road going production machine, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and closely follows the Grand Prix Red colour scheme. The team is hoping to build on last year’s success, with the Fireblade achieving multiple wins at the NW200, the fastest newcomer award at the TT, regular podiums and wins in BSB on its way to second in the championship standings. Meanwhile, in Superstock trim the ‘blade’ has now secured back-to-back championship victories in the Pirelli National Superstock championship. Preparations for the 2023 season are well underway, with official BSB testing set to commence at the Navarra Circuit in northern Spain on 11-13 March. For those wanting to see the latest livery in the flesh for the first time, the race bike will be on display at Youles Motorcycles Honda Manchester as part of their dealership open evening on the 22nd February. In attendance will be 23-time TT & 6-time NW200 winner John McGuinness MBE.

Havier Beltran, Honda Racing UK Team Manager: “2023 is going to be an exciting season for the team as we have a mixture of new and old faces returning to the team. We are also now into the third year of development with the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and we’ll look to continue building on the success that we have experienced to date. Continuing our relationship with all our valued sponsors enables us to resume this journey. We look forward to getting the season underway and working together as a team to realise the potential of the Fireblade on the roads and in BSB”

Honda Racing UK is delighted to confirm its 2023 rider line-up for the International Road Racing season with the team looking forward to returning to the NW200 and Isle of Man TT once again. Returning to ride for the manufacturer, with whom he has amassed 16 of his 23 total TT wins, road racing royalty John McGuinness MBE will line up again in Honda Racing colours aboard the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. Joining him for the 2023 campaign will be Manxman Nathan Harrison, a rising star of the roads. As the most successful manufacturer to have raced at the TT, Honda is thrilled to continue its relationship with the ‘Morecambe Missile’ after their history-making year together in 2022 saw Honda celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Fireblade, whilst John recorded his 100th TT start. The two combined are a proven winning combination and are now set to continue writing history together for another year. Lining up alongside his childhood idol, Nathan enters the team fresh from his first outing at the Senior TT in 2022 where he recorded a 128.087 MPH lap and placed 10th aboard the Isle of Man Steam Packet Fireblade. Although last year was Nathan’s first time riding in the Senior race, he is no stranger to racing on the island, amassing wins and podiums at the Manx Grand Prix. With full support from the Honda team and the guidance and mentorship of his vastly experienced teammate, 2023 will be an exciting year on the roads for Nathan lining up beside his hero at both the NW200 and TT. The Honda Racing UK team once again reaffirms its commitment to the International Road Racing programme and will participate at the NW200 and Isle of Man TT in both the Superstock and Superbike classes during this year's season.

John McGuinness MBE Riding a Fireblade again at the TT last year was something special so it only felt right to continue for another year. I couldn't feel more at home with the Honda team so I need to say a massive thank you to Harv and Neil. Celebrating 100 TT starts with the team and riding with that one-off livery and all of the history that we have was really something else. We also managed to crack the top 5 last year on the superbike, which was great, but I'm hungry for more. I just want to get started now and go racing again!

Nathan Harrison To race alongside John and to ride in the Honda Racing UK team has always been a dream of mine. Coming from a Manx family that has always been involved in motorcycling, the TT has always been in my blood. Watching the TT as a child with John & Honda dominating, it made me want to be the next ‘John McGuinness’ and that was my full focus. I can’t thank Havier & Honda Racing UK enough for the opportunity. It’s only my second ever TT, so to be going into it on a great bike, with the best teammate I could ask for, will be an incredible experience. Hopefully, the long-term plan of where John can teach me things I may not know, learning from the team with the experience they have on the Fireblade and then my own progression, we can make small steps on last year to hopefully get me to that top step in the years to come. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my Mum and Dad for all their support and sacrifice over the years, my sponsors and supporters for sticking by me and helping me to get to this position where I have been given the fantastic opportunity.

Havier Beltran - Team Manager, Honda Racing UK I’m extremely pleased that we have been able to retain John’s services for another year of racing on the roads at the NW200 and TT where we have such a strong history at both events. Welcoming him back into the fold in 2022 was fantastic and to witness John celebrating 100 TT starts and be a part of that history was brilliant for everyone involved. Continuing that relationship for another season and building on last year shows Honda’s commitment to international Road Racing. It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Nathan to the team. He had a remarkable breakthrough year in 2022 and has impressed me with the attitude that he has toward his racing. It will be great for him to learn from John and utilise all of his experience and expertise to build step by step. I’m excited to see what we can all achieve together in 2023.

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.