Source: Honda Racing.

Australian Jason O’Halloran has completed a test aboard Honda Racing UK’s title-winning factory British Superbike Championship CBR1000RR Superbike as the team continues its development phase ahead of a fulltime return in 2015.

The successful Knockhill test is the latest step in Honda’s behind-the-scenes development project ahead of the Japanese marque’s planned full-time return to MCE BSB in 2015.

The 2013 title-winners have already shown strong form in their first wildcard appearance, at the recent Snetterton round, with Julien Da Costa running inside the top five. The Frenchman will return at the Donington Park, Silverstone and the final Brands Hatch rounds as part of the development program for the CBR1000RR Fireblade.

“It was a really positive day and I really enjoyed it. We managed to complete 168 laps of Knockhill and I feel I have been able to give some good feedback to the team from another perspective to add to Julien’s work from the pre-season test and also from Snetterton,” O’Halloran said. “I started the day with the Fireblade set-up how the team finished up at Snetterton and made some changes to make myself feel more comfortable.

“We have been doing back-to-back comparisons with two bikes to test the new swingarm and different shock settings which was really positive, then we ended the day with a long run which now gives the team more information to work with. I felt happy and comfortable to be back riding a Superbike again and I want to thank the team for the opportunity today to help them progress with their project.”

The test also marked O’Halloran’s return to riding a Superbike, the Australian having last raced in MCE BSB during the 2009 season with SMT Honda. O’Halloran currently lies second in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship standings ahead of the next round at Brands Hatch.