Andrew and Glenn Irwin are ready to roll with the brand-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP this weekend (7/8/9 August), four months after the initial planned start, when the Bennetts British Superbike Championship will eventually get underway with the opening round taking place at Donington Park.
The Honda Racing team enjoyed a comprehensive testing programme with the new Fireblade SP, starting in March before the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world. It then meant it was July before the team were back out on track with private testing at Cadwell Park and Snetterton. Last weeks’ official test at Donington Park provided a good base for the teams’ riders before the triple-header this weekend.
Andrew Irwin said: “I’m really looking forward to the weekend, I believe we can do a decent job and hopefully start the year off with three consistent finishes. It will be nice to line up on the start line again, it feels like a lifetime ago since the final round last year, so it will be good to just get out racing again and get that butterfly feeling.
“I enjoy riding the new Fireblade and testing has been great, but I really enjoy race weekends and everything that comes with it, so can’t wait to rock up to Donington this week and get the season started. It’s a shame that the fans won’t be able to come to watch, but I’m sure we’ll all put on a good show for everyone watching back at home!
Glenn Irwin said: “I’m looking forward to lining back up on the grid, it’s been a long time since Assen last season and to be on the grid on the all-new Fireblade is something I’m really looking forward to. My focus for the weekend is to get the most out of what we have underneath us, I’m excited and also curious to see where that will put us in the order.
“We had a strong test last week, but we don’t know what our rivals were working on, so let’s see where we are come Sunday evening and hopefully we’re leaving Donington Park with a few decent results.”
Team Manager Havier Beltran commented: “Well, it’s August and we’re finally getting started with the championship. It’s been a strange time recently and I’ve never known a racing year like it, but I’m happy we’re able to start racing this weekend and it’s a credit to Stuart Higgs and his team at MSV who have worked so hard to make this happen.
“Due to how the series is with 18 races it will be vital that all our boys keep their heads; we can’t afford for anyone to make a mistake this season, so it will be about finishing all races, scoring points and doing the very best we can. Of course, we have the new Fireblade SP, so all eyes will be on us, but as it’s a new machine we still have a lot of work to do across the season.”