Andrew Irwin will return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid this weekend at Donington Park with Honda Racing UK after a long enforced absence through injury.
A complex injury sustained during a crash in testing at Knockhill earlier in the year sidelined Irwin for six rounds and saw Superstock race winner Franco Bourne step up into the factory team to deputise. Honda is proud to give future stars the opportunity to display their potential as Bourne delivered frequent point-scoring rides.
Irwin’s return to action at Donington Park follows two recent test outings at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park, aimed at ascertaining his bike fitness and reacquainting him with the Honda Fireblade. He is under no illusion as to the challenge of his racing return and conservatively targets consistent progress throughout the weekend and remainder of the season.
Irwin said: “I am really excited to be back again and I am looking forward to Donington! It is a weekend that I go into with absolutely no expectations. But one that I will enjoy because it is a weekend when I get to jump on a plane with my family and head to a racetrack. I have always said I am happiest when I am at a racetrack, but I am definitely happiest when I am racing at a racetrack!
“The goal for the weekend is just to enjoy it, and try to build throughout the weekend and the remaining two rounds. I want to be consistent and keep moving forward. I don’t expect any great results but the main thing is that I am back on two wheels and hopefully I can do the best job that I can given the situation that I am in. I have not raced in four months, and for sure I will be rusty but I look forward to going racing again. Thank you to everyone who has helped with my recovery and getting me back to this point.”
Team Manager Havier Beltran commented: “It is brilliant to have Andrew return to the team before the end of the year. His injuries were much more significant than many people realise and we have worked together carefully to ensure that he is fully fit to race before facilitating this return. This of course coincides with Franco’s departure, and on behalf of everyone at Honda, I would like to thank him for his hard work during his time racing with us, he has a bright future ahead of him.
“I would also like to thank Matt Bainbridge and the Marvel HCL Motorsport team for their flexibility and continued support, without their understanding this would not have happened so thank you.”