Jason O’Halloran ends BSB season on high note

Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran returned to the podium at Brands Hatch aboard the all-new Fireblade as the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship drew to a close. Finishing the final race in second place, O’Halloran also finished fifth in the overall championship standings.

O’Halloran meant business from the start of today’s opening race and with strong pace over the 20 laps, the Aussie battled with the group for fourth place, eventually taking the line in fifth. With his sights on the podium for the final race of the day, The O’Show lined up on the grid in sixth place and it wasn’t long before he was hunting down the front group.

Jason O’Halloran on the podium at Brands hatch

Having made it into third place with only Ellison and Brookes ahead of him, and a blistering pace aboard the CBR, the Aussie easily made his way into the second place spot, where he crossed the line taking his fourth podium of the season.

Jason O’Halloran later said of the season, “It’s been a bit of a taxing year, we started on a low level, everyone has worked hard to progress and get us to a place we all know we can be. Every single person in the team has given me the absolute max this year and I can’t ask for anymore from the Honda Racing guys, they’re all fantastic and I do have a great crew. We were pushing every single weekend and unfortunately during the last three or four rounds I have had crashes on the Friday and Saturday, with some small injuries and have given the boys some work to do. So coming into this weekend I was determined to have a strong one.

Jason O’Halloran

“Everything went smoothly really, we improved in every race and we gained momentum over the weekend, which was really refreshing. The last race I gave everything I had and with about four laps to go I thought to myself, I have a chance of winning this! I was pushing, folding the front and losing the rear, Josh and James in front were riding so well; to be honest everyone was! So to finish second and get back to podium for the final race I’m really happy with the result and it’s a good way to finish the season.”

Team-mate Linfoot started his day from 21st on the grid and a flying start off the line saw him make up places quickly. Digging deep and pushing throughout the final stages of the 20-lap race, the 29-year old crossed the line in ninth place.

Jason O’Halloran

Having scored the fifth fastest time in the first race, the Yorkshireman lined up fifth on the grid. A difficult start this time saw Linfoot drop a few places in the opening lap, but pushing through he set about getting back into the front group. Making passes and enjoying some on-track battles, Linfoot crossed the line seventh.

The 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship has been a mixed season for the Honda Racing team, with O’Halloran securing a hard-fought place in the all-important Showdown, finishing fifth in the title and recording four podiums along the way. Earlier in the year the team also celebrated when Linfoot scored his maiden Superbike victory and took the first BSB win for the all-new Fireblade, which he then built on with a second win at the following round.