The 2014 British Superbike Championship drew to a close this weekend with a triple-header event at Brands Hatch that saw Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran wrap up the National Superstock 1000 support class with an impressive race win.
The Australian rider had been in third place going into the closing stages but a last-lap push saw him catch his rivals and snatch the victory from 2014 champion Danny Buchan by just inches. The win is O’Halloran’s second this year and he ends the season as the Superstock 1000 runner-up. Team-mate Freddy Foray suffered a DNF and places 14th in the standings.
O’Halloran was surprised by his Honda Racing crew on Sunday morning when they unveiled the bodywork for his CBR1000RR Fireblade SP race machine, which sported the special-livery ‘FS3’ design he created for Honda (UK)’s ‘Honda Heroes’ competition. Eight Honda riders were invited to take part in the contest and fans voted for their favourite special edition livery from a gallery on Honda.co.uk.
The winning livery, designed by Isle of Man TT star Conor Cummins and named ‘Blue Lightening’, was showcased on the Fireblade of Honda Racing wild card Julien Da Costa in all three BSB races at the weekend. The Frenchman placed 15th in the first outing on Saturday and 14th in race two on Sunday, but unfortunately was unable to finish the third race.
The ‘Blue Lightening’ design was the third and final special BSB livery of 2014 and followed the stunning ‘Urban Tiger’ tribute showcased by Da Costa at Snetterton and Donington Park and the eye-catching ‘Motorcycle Live’ creation run by the Frenchman at Silverstone. The three wild card liveries will be on display at the Honda stand at Motorcycle Live, which takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November.
Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live are on sale now priced at £17 per adult, £11 for seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16. Children aged ten accompanied by a paying adult go free. To book please call 0844 5812345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk.
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On Sunday morning, O'Hallaran was surprised by the Honda Racing Team when they unveiled the bodywork for his CBR1000RR Fireblade SP which sported the ‘FS3’ design he created for Honda (UK)’s ‘Honda Heroes’ competition.