2014 has proved a defining season for Aussie export Jason O’Halloran, who has starred for Honda in the British Superbike Championship’s Superstock 1000 class. Despite a power deficit to his primary rivals, O’Halloran has factored at the front in every race and currently sits second in the title chase. CycleOnline.com.au caught up with Jason for a catch up on an impressive season to date.

Source: Honda Racing.

Jason, we’ve been following your progress closely but haven’t had a chance to check in this season. It has been a successful year; bring us up to speed in your own words.

From the first test out on the bike I knew we were going to be strong. I knew from the first time I went to Spain that everything was going to be good, and if we could put a season together then we might have half a chance at the championship. But, to be honest, this year has been a bit of a weird year. Danny Buchan, my main competition, has been super consistent this year as well, whereas in previous years you wouldn’t have people that consistent. But he is riding very well, and he’s on a very strong package and it is hard to beat him at the minute. My Honda is a good bike to ride and I’ve got a lot of confidence in it. I’m doing things on that bike that I haven’t done for a long time, since I left Australia. So it’s all coming together well. I’ve said it to many people this year that if my competition rode my bike, they would really like it; it’s a good bike to ride, but it’s a hard bike to race and if you’re not at the front of the field from the start it’s hard to make passes and get by the BMWs and Kawasakis. My job is a bit more difficult than the other guys in that sense. To have the results that we’ve had this year, and to do the lap times we’ve been able to do, has been really good for us.

You’ve been in BSB since 2009 and aboard Honda for the bulk of that time. How important is that level of consistency?

I first rode this model bike with Honda Australia, and I spent the 2008 season on the bike in Oz. Then I came to BSB in 2009 on a Fireblade. In 2010 I rode Supersport on different bikes, but since this model of Fireblade from 2008 to now I’ve only been off it for two seasons. I’ve spent a massive amount of time on the bike and I know it inside out. I know what works on it, and I know what doesn’t. I know when we’re roughly in the ballpark and this year that has allowed me to basically focus on my riding without worrying about the bike. I know where it is now and I know we can’t get it much better, and so that focus is on getting the best from myself. I think I’ve made a big step forward with my own riding as a result.

The weekend just gone at Silverstone was a good one for you, but can you pinpoint a particular race that has been your best so far?

It’s difficult, you know. The race we’ve just had a Silverstone was fantastic. I didn’t win, I came second again, and we had a safety car period towards the end that really affected me. I probably could have challenged for the win if the safety car hadn’t had come out, but that race was good for me because of the lap times I was able to achieve. I took over two seconds off the lap record and that would have been competitive in the Superbike race last year, and I think I would have been fourth or something close to that on the Moto2 grid with the time I did. But the race was good, the speed was fantastic. I’d say my best round this year would be Oulton Park. I led the second half of the race and broke the lap record, and I only lost out on the finish line by something like 0.03 of a second, and the Kawasaki had a bit more poke and it got me at the line. But I’d say that was my best race, and I couldn’t really do much more about being beaten on the line.

Source: Honda Racing.

You’ve had a strong involvement in Honda’s BSB testing program in line with their plans to return to the class next season. What are you learning about the bikes and can you tell us of any plans for next year at this stage?

I’ve been involved in the BSB testing program with Honda and had three tests there so far. I’ve basically been the guy that they’re running through all the new parts with. I didn’t really have that many tests planned this year but, at the start of the year when I got on the bike I was quite fast straight away, and the team decided to use me more for the testing side of things. And that has worked out really well for me. The bike is amazing. I wish I was racing it this year because I think we’d definitely be a challenger on it. They’ve got two bikes, basically. One bike is the same as they had last year, and the new bike, the development bike, has new shocks, new engine specs, and so on. They’re trying a lot of things. The tests I’ve been able to do this year have had me pretty much on front-running pace, without actually testing for myself. When I say that I mean not setting the bike up for me, more just riding the bike as it is and testing the parts. I think with some time on it and some testing to get it to my own liking it could be super competitive. As for next year, one hundred percent I can tell you I will be on Superbike somewhere, I can’t say where yet, but it’ll be in BSB, and it will definitely be with a front-running team.

Has this been your best year yet in BSB, the most satisfying? You seem to be ticking every box and setting yourself up as well as anyone could hope for a successful transition to Superbikes.

Without a doubt. For me, this has definitely been my best year in the UK and Europe since I left Australia. It’s nice to turn up to the races each weekend and know that you’re going to be up front. I don’t think I’ve been outside the top three in session all year. It’s been a consistent year, and as a rider that builds your confidence. I’m confident in my ability, and in the team’s ability that when we go to different circuits that we’re going to be competitive. I’ve changed my preparation a little bit this year. I normally train on my own, but this year I’ve started training in Darby, with Sam and Alex Lowes, and Leon Haslam and a few of the other boys. It’s just brought me on leaps and bounds. It’s a big effort to do that, it’s a two-hour drive and I’m leaving at five o’clock in the morning to get there to train with them. But as far as the mental and physical approach goes, I think I’m in the best shape of my career. The season how it has been this year has been perfect timing. I’m glad it has worked out as it has, and it will allow me to make the best of the opportunity I have next year.

I couldn’t finish without asking you about some of the pictures that have surfaced from Cadwell Park and more specifically, your efforts over the mountain which show a really unique style. What’s it like doing that on a road bike, because essentially, a road bike is designed to do the complete opposite of what you’re asking there!

To be honest, Cadwell Park is a strange place. There’s no middle ground; you either love it or hate it. For me, from the first day I rode there I loved it. The mountain is a really tricky place and it is so easy to get it wrong. Everyone’s got there own style there, everyone has a unique way of getting over it. For me, I actually lift my body over the seat and throw myself forward when the bike takes off. When you get it right, it’s an amazing feeling. You sort of feel weightless for a minute, and then you take off again. There’s no other circuit in the world you can do that, except maybe for the TT. It’s sort of like a motocross jump in that you have sort of a down ramp on the other side. If you get it right it feels quite natural, even though it’s not. Cadwell Park, for me, is right right up there as one of the best tracks in the world; I love racing there.