Honda reveals a refreshed line-up on the roads as David Johnson joins Ian Hutchinson

Honda is pleased to announce that David Johnson will line-up next to Ian Hutchinson on the roads, as the Honda Racing team prepares for the start of the 2019 road race season.

Hutchinson and Johnson will lead Honda’s charge on the roads at The International North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT. Both road experts will contest the Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes aboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, with the team also preparing a CBR600RR Supersport machine for Ian.

‘Davo’ made his debut at the TT in 2010 aboard Honda machinery where he claimed the accolade of fastest newcomer that year. The Australian has since racked up three 4th place finishes at the Mountain Course and was close to a podium last year in the Superbike race. His best result at the Ulster GP has been 3rd (2018) and 7th at the NW200.

Teammate ‘Hutchy’ continues with Honda after a valiant return last year, while recovering from injury. Displaying incredible drive and determination throughout 2018, the ‘Bingley Bullet’ is coming into the new road racing season with more bike time under his belt as he looks to return to winning form.

The Honda Racing team will now embark on a comprehensive testing programme before tackling the road circuits, starting with the North West 200 in May.

2019 Road Race Calendar:
12-18 May: The International North West 200
25 May – 7 June: The Isle of Man TT

Source: Honda Racing CBR

Courageous Camier clinches top-ten finish in Race 1 at Donington

Leon Camier battled through the pain barrier to score a sensational top-ten finish in WorldSBK Race 1 at Donington Park for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, while Jake Gagne finished just outside the points in his Superbike debut at the demanding British circuit.

Starting from P13 on the grid for Race 1, Camier got a good start to make up a couple of positions and set a strong pace on his Fireblade. As the race went on, Camier settled into twelfth place while maintaining a good rhythm and despite being in considerable pain due to his injury, the Briton valiantly charged on and as the chequered flag was waved, crossed the finish line in tenth place.

Gagne also enjoyed some close racing in the pack and after starting the race from the seventh row on the grid, the American rookie was able to pick up positions throughout the race and at the finish line claimed sixteenth place just behind fellow Honda rider and compatriot PJ Jacobsen who took the final points-paying position.

The result sees Camier’s point tally for the season grow to 48 points and he remains in P11 in the championship, while Gagne sits eighteenth overall with seventeen points.

Credit: Honda Red Bull Team Media Team 

 

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team aiming to bounce back at Donington

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are aiming to get their season back on track this weekend as Leon Camier and Jake Gagne prepare to take on the fast and furious Donington Park circuit for round 6 of the FIM World Superbike Championship.

A rigorous recovery regime following his accident in round 3 wasn’t enough to allow Camier to race at the previous round at Imola, however following another two weeks of treatment, the British star is in better physical condition heading into this weekend. Camier is hopeful of completing the whole race weekend, however the real test to gauge his fitness will come during Friday’s Free Practice sessions around the 4 kilometre (2.49 mile) long Donington circuit.

Fronting the other Fireblade, Jake Gagne is facing the challenge of yet again visiting a circuit he hasn’t raced at previously, however the American rookie has proven this season that he is a quick learner on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and he aims to be back in the points this weekend.

The Donington Park Circuit is a track of two distinct halves, with the first section comprising fast, flowing corners and elevation changes through sections such as Hollywood and the Craner Curves, while the second half is exemplified by flatter, tighter sections like the Fogarty Esses and Melbourne Hairpin.

Action starts at the Donington WorldSBK round with Free Practice 1 at 0945 local time (GMT +1) on Friday with Race 1 on Saturday starting at 1315 on Saturday and 1300 on Sunday.

Credit: Red Bull Honda Racing Media Team

Roads campaign for Honda Racing gets underway at the North West 200

Honda Racing, along with riders Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston, are getting ready to head to The International North West 200 next week (15-19 May), as they kick off their road racing campaign aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

With some uncertainty over Hutchinson and if he would be able to race, following an accident at last year’s Isle of Man TT where he broke his left leg, the ‘Bingley Bullet’ was back on two wheels with the Honda team last Friday (4 May), after having his external frame removed and being passed fit to race by the ACU.

Looking comfortable on the Fireblade and completing over 78 laps of Mallory Park, Hutchy and the team returned over the Bank Holiday weekend to take part in the East Midlands Racing Association club meeting, in order to obtain race signatures for his TT course licence. With the aim to race in Northern Ireland next week, Hutchy will be checked over by the NW200 medical team before heading out on the 8.970-mile circuit for first practice.

Meanwhile teammate Johnston has enjoyed an extensive testing programme with the team and the CBR ahead of his racing debut with the squad. Feeling confident with the Fireblade package for the roads, ‘The General’ is looking forward to getting to ‘The Triangle’ for one of the fastest road races in the world.

NW200 Race Schedule:
Tuesday 15 May
0915-1500 Practice

Thursday 17 May
0915-1500 Practice
1700-2100 Evening racing

Saturday 19 May
0915-1900 Race day

 

Credit: Media Team @Honda Racing CBR, follow @HondaRacingCBR on Twitter.

Lee Johnston Positive after Debut Test with Honda Racing

The 2018 campaign started in earnest last week for the Honda Racing roads team as they embarked on their first pre-season test at Monteblanco in Spain, with its new rider line-up of Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston. Although not riding at the test, as he still continues his recovery, ‘Hutchy’ was present for all three days and worked with the team as Johnston got to grips with the Fireblade SP2.

Plagued with intermittent weather over the three days, track time was limited and it wasn’t until the final day (Wednesday 7 March) that the team and Johnston were able to get their teeth stuck into the testing programme. With Hutchy not able to ride his machine, it was over to ‘The General’ who tested both his and Hutchy’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2s back-to-back, as well as Johnston aboard the Honda Superstock machine. Although not riding, Hutchy was able to work with the team with feedback from Johnston on the set-up of his right-hand gear shifter.

Johnston has history already with the SP2, as in 2017 he was a reserve 24 Heures Motos rider for the Honda Endurance Racing team, but with three riders to cater for the machine set up is very different to his Fireblade for the road racing season. Working on the set-up of the bike and making it feel like his own, the team and Johnston finished the test positive with over 100 laps of the 2.76-mile circuit completed. With lap times a second quicker than previous tests at the circuit, the team are ready to continue its testing programme later this month back on UK soil at Castle Combe.