A strong start in Supersport for Honda Racing UK
Jack Kennedy qualified in third position with a 1:39.325mins lap, delivering a masterclass in timing, saving the fastest lap until the crucial last lap. In drying track conditions, the Honda CBR600RR looked settled and smooth.
Into the race, a clean start allowed Jack to race at the front, managing the gap to the lead with precision. As the laps counted down, Jack picked off riders until with just two laps to go, only the race leader remained in front.
With a gap just slightly too great to close out, Jack crossed the line in second place, just 0.151sec from the leader.
Dean Harrison qualified in 10th position with a 1:41.605mins lap but clearly with more to give. With the race underway, Dean picked his way through the pack to 6th position by half race distance, Riding on his own, Dean closed the gap to the riders in front, eventually crossing the line in an impressive fourth position, 5.2 seconds behind the race winner.
Jack Kennedy
I’m pleased with my performance in the race today. Qualifying was tricky, it rained all night and the track was nothing like it was during yesterday’s free practice. I qualified well and knew I had the pace to deliver a result for the team. As the race progressed, I felt like I was able to carry good corner speed and was able too close the gap on the leader on the brakes. A second place is a strong start to the season and gives me and the team something to build on.
Dean Harrison
Changeable conditions meant I felt like I could have done with a bit more time in qualifying, but we’re all in the same boat so I took my place knowing I’d ridden well and delivered a reasonable track position for the start.
The pace was manageable from the start, I was briefly held up but made my way through to sixth and an empty track by half race distance. I was closing but spent the second half of the sprint race on my own. Knowing I had the pace to lap where I did on my own was a positive and I’m really happy that our Supersport season has started with a strong fourth place finish for me and the CBR600RR.
Points on the Superbike board for O’Halloran and Vickers
Honda Racing UK’s Superbike duo of Ryan Vickers and Jason O’Halloran completed the opening race at Oulton Park today. Both riders delivered competitive performances in challenging, changeable track conditions. In qualifying, Ryan Vickers secured ninth on the grid with a lap time of 1:33.988, slightly ahead of teammate Jason O’Halloran, who started from 11th with a 1:34.012.
In the opening race of the weekend, Vickers led the charge for Honda, bringing his machine home in eighth place and finishing as the highest-placed Honda rider. O’Halloran battled throughout the race to claim 15th at the chequered flag. With valuable data gathered, the team remains focused on making further progress in race two tomorrow.
Grid positions for race two tomorrow are ninth for Ryan Vickers and 16th for Jason O’Halloran.
Jason O’Halloran
The result might not reflect the feeling, but there was positive feedback from me and for my crew after this first race today. We’re constantly looking to improve the throttle connection and drive at Oulton Park, it’s always been regarded as one of the tougher circuits on the BSB calendar for the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
I qualified in the top three in qualifying session one, which meant I was straight back out in qualifying session two. This helped improve my lap time and grid position for the race. I’m sure we can improve consistent lap times tomorrow, particularly if the track stays dry.
Ryan Vickers
Oulton Park is a real roller coaster of a circuit and finding great drive is the challenge there with the Honda Racing UK CBR1000RR-R. I was happy with my pace in certain sections but wanted more for me and for the team, who worked non stop with me to optimise the bike.
We came away with the strongest finish of all the Hondas and some useful data ahead of more races tomorrow.
Bank Holiday race results for Honda Racing UK from Oulton Park
The Bank Holiday Monday races at Oulton Park delivered improvements in pace and performance in the Superbike class, with Ryan Vickers delivering the fastest ever lap of the 2.6 mile circuit for a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Improved conditions overnight allowed the entire grid to push harder than the day before, setting off from ninth position, Ryan Vickers maximised the available performance on every lap, gaining two track positions to finish the first Superbike race race in seventh place.
Jason O’Halloran set off from 16th place, held track position well and claimed four places to finish in a well-earned and hard fought for 12th position.
In the Pirelli Superstock Championship race, John McGuinness MBE set off from 25th place after qualifying with a 01:37.9mins lap. After fourteen laps, McGuinness cross the line in his starting position.
The Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race, held over 16 laps delivered another podium finish for Jack Kennedy, along with a strong fourth place finish for Dean Harrison. Jack set off in the position he finished in, while Dean was able to capitalise on strong pace to climb two places from his sixth-place start.
In the second Zyn British Superbike Championship race of the day, Ryan Vickers and Jason O’Halloran both finished in the points following a challenging 18 lap finale.
The Honda Racing UK team separates now ahead of the NW200, with Dean Harrison and John McGuinness MBE immediately sailing to Belfast to prepare for road racing in just a few days’ time.
Ryan Vickers
We pushed where would and gained valuable data everywhere else today. I was happier with pace I could carry at the start of both races and was able to put more confidence in the front end of the bike. It’s a nice accolade to take away in having the fastest lap at Oulton for a Honda Fireblade but I want more for me, for Honda and for my team. We’ll continue to push and I look forward to seeing how we perform at the next round at Donington Park on the 15th May.
Jason O’Halloran
Much like race one, the result doesn’t look like it matches our effort and performance. It’s impossible to win a BSB Championship at the first round and we’ll keep building the data and confidence picture we need to be able progress towards the front of the pack.
John McGuinness MBE
It’s hard to see my race result as a positive, but there’s definitely some strong indicators for the season from this round for me. I did my fastest ever lap of Oulton Park, I feel sharp and ready for to enjoy my road racing at the NW200 in a couple of days time. The reception I get at Oulton is always great, it’s nice to see the fans and flags out this early in the season. Oulton Park always delivers great racing in every class and this round was certainly no different. We’ll get our heads down now and get on with the job in hand for the NW200. Looking at where I am and where Dean is, the signs are all good.
Jack Kennedy
Following the second place finish in the first race, I was fairly sure I had more to give in a couple of areas around Oulton Park. Things didn’t play into my hands in this race today though and I’m happy enough to come away with another second place finish. When I think we can push for wins, we will push for wins and claim them. We’ll refocus now ahead of round two at Donington Park. I’m happy with my performance, I think my team did an excellent job for me and I’m looking forward to racing with them again in just a few weeks time.
Dean Harrison
I’m heading in to the NW200 races in fourth place in the British Supersport Championship. It’s a great start to my short circuit season and the perfect way to set me up for the road racing season as well. Pace was good mid race today, I was kicking myself a little bit for not getting my elbows out in the first three laps, that’s something I’ll work on as the championship develops. I’m happy though, the team put a great bike under me, putting in the fastest lap of a race after eight laps was testament to the setup and performance of the CBR600RR.
Posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 in News
