BSB: Step forward for Honda after Mallory test

Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran is confident of showing a marked improvement with the new CBR1000RR Fireblade at Brands Hatch this weekend after a positive test at Mallory Park.

The Louth-based squad faced a baptism of fire with the all-new machine at Donington Park, struggling to break into the top ten as they suffered issues with the new electronic throttle connection.

In dire need of track time, they headed to their local circuit Cadwell Park for an afternoon test session last week, where the team continued to struggle and were significantly off the pace.

However, a breakthrough since then has seen O’Halloran regain the feeling with his bike that saw him fighting at the front in 2016. After making some major changes back at Louth, the team took to the track at Mallory Park on Wednesday with both O’Halloran and Linfoot pleased with the progress made.

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“After the initial tests this year and the first round I think it’s fair to say we have been frustrated, the team, myself and the new blade are capable of much more than two tenth place finishes,” O’Halloran confessed.

“After Donington we went to Cadwell for a half day test, where I struggled again and that’s at a place I absolutely love riding. We knew we had to make some changes.

“I won’t pin-point exactly what, but we made a big change in the direction we were heading and in a quick test at Mallory Park, we confirmed that was the correct thing to do. I felt comfortable on the bike again and really enjoyed riding it. BSB is never easy, it’s easy a competitive championship but I’m sure we will be back at the front and fighting where we should be this weekend. “ 

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