Source: Supplied.

A fresh engine installed between races at the weekend’s third round of the British Superbike Championship hosted by Oulton Park proved to be a significant boost for Australian Jason O’Halloran, who narrowly missed out on victory by a slender 0.086s to Leon Haslam (JG Speedlift Kawasaki).

Despite an issue in the opening race, the Honda Racing rider recorded a fifth place finish, however it came at the cost of replacing his CBR1000RR’s powerplant prior to Sunday’s second outing.

“Today has been a really great day for us,” O’Halloran expressed. “In race one we had a small issue towards the end and came home fifth, but it was a good bunch of points collected. Going into race two, the boys did a great job putting a new engine in and it was a frantic few hours getting ready in the garage – but a massive thanks to them for giving me such a fantastic bike and it was probably the best I have felt on the Honda since I’ve been riding it.

“I got a good start and made my way to the front and just wanted to control the pace and didn’t want to go too mad. I was watching the pit board and saw group five, group two, then one-second, two-seconds and saw I was getting away from the group.

“Leon came by and tried to up the pace, I knew I had something left and I managed to stay with him. I gave it all I could to try and win that race and it was so close at the end – it hurts more when you miss out by that much rather than a big amount.”

O’Halloran now sits fourth in the championship standings as the series heads to Snetterton on 15-17 June for the fourth stop of the series.