BSB: Dean Harrison joins Irwin at Honda Racing

Dean Harrison joins Andrew Irwin at Honda Racing UK for the 2024 season.

Honda Racing UK have announced their 2024 British Superbike rider line-up with Dean Harrison joining the team. Andrew Irwin will return for his second consecutive season with the team.

Top road racing contender Dean Harrison moves from DAO Racing, ending an eight-year partnership. Dean has made over 110 starts for the DAO Racing team in British Superbikes with a best finish of eighth. He raced with the team at both the Isle of Man TT and the British Superbike Championship they experienced great success at the TT. With three Isle of Man TT wins including the 2019 Senior TT.

He will switch to the Honda Racing UK team, racing in both BSB and the historic Isle of Man TT. He will join John McGuinness and Nathan Harrison for Road Racing and Irwin in British Superbikes.

Harrison said: “I can’t wait to begin a new chapter with Honda Racing UK, and I jumped at the chance when this opportunity came about. If I’m honest, it hasn’t sunk in yet and I don’t think it will until I get to ride the bike for the first time in Honda colours.

“It feels like a really good time to have a refresh and now is as good a time as any for a change. I have always been a Honda fan, and Honda is the way I want to go.

“I am also really looking forward to being part of a multi-rider team after riding in a solo team for so long. To be able to see each other’s data and collaborate on ideas is going to be of great value to me.

“The short circuits are a big part of my season and I think that working with Andrew and the team will help to bring me on and push me to the next level. I think that the Honda package, with the new bike, could be the missing link that I need.”

This season has been a tough year for Andrew Irwin, who suffered from injuries and returns to the team. At the beginning of the season, Irwin suffered from a right humerus fracture at the Knockhill test. Irwin finished the season in 18^th in the standings after missing six rounds of the Championship.

Andrew Irwin’s first season with the Honda Racing UK team came in 2019 – he would stay until the end of 2020. In the 2020 season, Andrew Irwin finished sixth in the standings, ahead of Tommy Bridewell.

Irwin said: “I am looking forward to 2024 with the new Fireblade, I think this bike is going to give us a step forward and I can’t wait to race it. The bike is already more than capable of doing the job so to see improvements is hugely motivating.

“Continuing for another year with Honda has always been my priority and I want to put 2023 behind me and focus all my attention and energy on 2024. I am under no illusions that I need to have a good season, I am going into 2024 to rebuild my career after a very difficult 2023, and I want to come back and be fast and always be there fighting.

“Consistency is what works and getting to maintain that for another year with Honda is crucial to building some momentum. Sometimes a break is as good as anything, and I’ve had a long old break. I’m hungry, I’m motivated and I’m eager to get going again.”

Image credit: Honda Racing UK