Andrew Irwin optimistic as Honda Racing rider returns to scene of British Superbike double at Donington Park

After making an impressive start to the season with two wins at the National circuit, a series of setbacks has left the former World Supersport rider in ninth place in the standings, although he remains within 20 points of the top six ahead of this weekend's three races at the longer Grand Prix track.

Irwin has vowed to ‘keep on fighting’ in what has been a tumultuous season for the 26-year-old so far.

The Honda Racing rider said: “We arrive at Donington Park positive, it helps to go back somewhere were you have had success as you know the bike works well there, I went from a one-time race winner to a three-time race winner in one weekend, and if we can get back close to where we were that weekend, then we’ve done a good job.

“I’ve got to keep fighting, in practice and qualifying we’re OK, but when it comes to the races we’ve got to improve and get our fight back, finish in the top-six where we should be and fighting for podiums where we can.

“The weather isn’t looking great for the weekend, but either way I think we’ll be fine; in the dry we have good pace at Donington, and we’re bound to have one wet race this year,” he added.

“We were fast there at the start of the year, but we also know our competitors have been improving and we need to make sure we also improve.”

Irwin started the season with a bang in August as he clinched a double at Donington. He also crossed the line in second place in race three but the Carrick man was disqualified from the results following contact in the race with Josh Brookes, who crashed out on the run to Craner Curves.

Irwin was also forced to start the first race at Snetterton from the rear of the grid, but he experienced more misfortune after crashing out on lap one. In the second race, Irwin and Ryan Vickers tangled after the Ulsterman made a pass around the outside of the RAF Reserves Kawasaki rider, with both crashing out.

After a review of the incident by Race Direction, Irwin was penalised with a drop of three grid places for race three, leaving him in sixth place on row two. He finished the race in eighth place.

At Silverstone, Andrew came home in fifth place behind his brother Glenn in the opening race.

However, he lost further ground in the championship after he was docked a position for exceeding the track limits as he battled with Lee Jackson, leaving him ninth in race two. Irwin also finished ninth in the third race.

Most recently at Oulton Park, Irwin came home in fourth in race one and took seventh in the second race, but retired from race three on his Honda.

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