Preview
BSB 2022
Round 2
Honda Racing UK looking to continue good form at Oulton Park
Oulton ParkThis Bank Holiday weekend (30 April – 2 May), Round 2 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Oulton Park, where Honda Racing UK arrive in good spirits
This Bank Holiday weekend (30 April – 2 May), Round 2 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Oulton Park, where Honda Racing UK arrive in good spirits following Glenn Irwin’s terrific treble at Round 1 aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Currently leading the British Championship after the opening round, the Honda Racing squad enjoyed a positive test at Oulton Park just one week ago, where improvements were made all-round and Glenn wrapped up the test second overall on the timesheets.
At the test, BSB rookie Tom Neave smashed his personal best lap time during his first Superbike outing at the 2.69-mile circuit. Meanwhile Ryo Mizuno and Takumi Takahashi look forward to the second round after a solid test for the pair, as they continue to learn the technical layout of the Cheshire circuit.
Superbike first practice gets underway on Saturday (30 April), with Race 1 on Sunday (1 May). Race 2 and Race 3 will take place on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May).
Click here for the full weekend timetable.
Glenn Irwin
2
Honda Racing UK It's nice to go into a round as the championship leader, it's something we experienced a lot in 2020, so it's good to get that feeling back. I enjoy riding at Oulton Park, it's a track I've had some success at in the past, so I think sometimes we can be misleading when we say we struggle there, it's just that our rivals have been strong there in the past. We made a step forward at the test, and clearly made a big step at Silverstone, and that seems to have rolled over into last week’s test. My target for the weekend is three-top seven finishes, and I would be content with that, but I think we can fight for a podium position. If we leave Oulton with a trophy, that’s a huge bonus, along with the podium credits, it's three races with 75 points up for grabs and it would be nice to leave as the championship leader!
It's nice to go into a round as the championship leader, it's something we experienced a lot in 2020, so it's good to get that feeling back. I enjoy riding at Oulton Park, it's a track I've had some success at in the past, so I think sometimes we can be misleading when we say we struggle there, it's just that our rivals have been strong there in the past. We made a step forward at the test, and clearly made a big step at Silverstone, and that seems to have rolled over into last week’s test. My target for the weekend is three-top seven finishes, and I would be content with that, but I think we can fight for a podium position. If we leave Oulton with a trophy, that’s a huge bonus, along with the podium credits, it's three races with 75 points up for grabs and it would be nice to leave as the championship leader!
Ryo Mizuno
88
Honda Racing UK This weekend we race at Oulton Park, one of the most difficult tracks of the season. Compared to last year, I finished last week's test with a good feeling, although my position did not change. My teammates gave me some advice and I'm really looking forward to the races now that we have prepared for it. I didn't get off to a good start in the opening race due to a series of problems, but I'm determined to get back on track and give it my best!
This weekend we race at Oulton Park, one of the most difficult tracks of the season. Compared to last year, I finished last week's test with a good feeling, although my position did not change. My teammates gave me some advice and I'm really looking forward to the races now that we have prepared for it. I didn't get off to a good start in the opening race due to a series of problems, but I'm determined to get back on track and give it my best!
Takumi Takahashi
13
Honda Racing UK The results at Round 1 weren’t ideal, but for this weekend I will work to get the same feeling in Race 3, as I felt really good in that race. I think we’re making progress with every run, but Oulton is not a simple track like Silverstone, so it’s still a struggle for me. We made some progress in testing, so I’ll try again to get that feeling and aim for a good result this weekend.
The results at Round 1 weren’t ideal, but for this weekend I will work to get the same feeling in Race 3, as I felt really good in that race. I think we’re making progress with every run, but Oulton is not a simple track like Silverstone, so it’s still a struggle for me. We made some progress in testing, so I’ll try again to get that feeling and aim for a good result this weekend.
Tom Neave
68
Honda Racing UK I'm approaching this round like I did at Silverstone, with an open mind and not really knowing what to expect. Oulton Park is a technical and tricky circuit to ride, but we had a good test there the other week and I set a new personal best lap time, which is inspiring considering I'd not ridden the Superbike there before, and it's never been a strong circuit for me. So, to go there for the first time on the Superbike and drop into a PB I was really pleased with, and it's set me up in a good headspace for the weekend. The more I ride the Superbike the more comfortable and familiar I am with it, but each circuit brings new challenges and Oulton is notorious for being a bit of a rollercoaster, so there's always a lot to take in and adapt to. We had a positive first round and I feel like I'm in a good place to continue this roll and can't wait to get going this weekend.
I'm approaching this round like I did at Silverstone, with an open mind and not really knowing what to expect. Oulton Park is a technical and tricky circuit to ride, but we had a good test there the other week and I set a new personal best lap time, which is inspiring considering I'd not ridden the Superbike there before, and it's never been a strong circuit for me. So, to go there for the first time on the Superbike and drop into a PB I was really pleased with, and it's set me up in a good headspace for the weekend. The more I ride the Superbike the more comfortable and familiar I am with it, but each circuit brings new challenges and Oulton is notorious for being a bit of a rollercoaster, so there's always a lot to take in and adapt to. We had a positive first round and I feel like I'm in a good place to continue this roll and can't wait to get going this weekend.