BRITISH SUPERSPORT RACING TEAM
RAPID HONDA 2026
The RAPID HONDA team mission is to support young, talented riders and help them achieve their racing potential. With our new title sponsor ‘Drivelife’, we’re pleased to welcome 3 riders to our stable for 2026. Ash Barnes and Declan ‘Deco’ Connell will be competing on Honda Fireblades in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship, joined by Jamie Coward as Rapid Honda debut on the roads in 2026. Jamie will also be competing in selected Pirelli National Superstock Championship rounds alongside Ash and Deco.
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Dave started racing at 19 years old and became a regular at club level in the couple of years after.
In 2005 Dave stepped up to the BSB paddock, racing a ZX10r at Superstock Cup and Superstock Championship. In 2007 his road racing journey began as he lined up for the Superbike race at the Centenary TT. 66 TT starts and 57 finishes later (plus a few at the Classic TT), Dave is one of the most experienced riders around the Isle of Man Mountain course.He has also raced at many national and international events, from Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, numerous races in Northen Ireland, to the Baja Tourist Cup in Mexico.
Dave re-entered the BSB paddock in 2022 as Crew Chief to the RAPID HONDA team. He is also head riding coach at RAPID where he has been building the link between the skills needed to race in the toughest domestic championship in the world, and the skills needed to be faster, safer and more confident on the road,
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Pete Boast is nothing short of a legend of British motorcycling. Having started riding scramble bikes in the fields of Lincolnshire as a child (many, many years ago). Along with his father, Pete went on to ride MotoCross, Trials, Enduro, Flat Track and road raced at the TT and BSB. If it involves competing on a motorbike, Pete has done it and to the highest levels.
During his teens and 20’s Pete concentrated on his tarmac racing, with numerous TT finishes and racing short circuits up to Superbike level (Known as Supercup at the time).
Eventually, Pete moved over to flat track, and became the first European to become a Professional Flat Track racer in the American AMA series, competing in the USA and across Europe in Flat Track and Speedway for more years than he cares to remember.
A decade ago, Pete decided he wanted to help bring on British talent, and opened Champions Flat Track school, at Glentham in Lincolnshire. Coaching new and experienced riders to control a bike in any conditions. Franco is just one of the many racers who get faster by refining their skills on the dirt.
Pete made his return to the Isle of Man in the 2010’s, riding modern Supertwins and Classic bikes at the Manx GP/Classic TT.
Pete is Riding Coach to our racing team and a senior TRACKMASTER Coach at RAPID
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As well as being a life-long bike fan, and road rider, Matt has also raced for several years, on CB500’s and Tri-options Ducati’s.
Matt also helped build the regulations and support network for the CB500 championships, helping progress it to one of the country’s most competitive and cost-effective club racing opportunities.
Matt joined the British Championship support series racing a Ducati in the Tri-options championship. Going on to be a regular points scorer,
With his wealth of business and racing experience, and a real passion for helping develop the potential in young riders, Matt is Team Manager for Rapid Honda.
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‘Deco’ Connell will be starting his 3rd year in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship, having shown good progress over the last two seasons, he will be looking to use the team’s experience to build on his impressive 8th place championship finish last year.
‘Deco’ Connell: I am absolutely buzzing to get the 2026 season underway with Rapid Honda and Drivelife. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting back started at Oulton Park in May. My aim is to be on the National Superstock Championship podium and I feel like this is the step I need to get me there.
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Ash Barnes completed the 2025 season with Rapid Honda with an impressive debut ride at Donington before putting it on the Front row in just his second round in the class at Oulton Park. He moves into the new season keen to build on the early promise shown towards the end of 2025.
Ash Barnes: I’m really looking forward getting the 2026 season underway with Rapid Honda. We gelled really quickly at the end of last season and am confident after battling towards the top 5 last season that we can hit the ground running and be at the sharp end from the off. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and the team and myself are working really hard behind the scenes to make sure that it all pays off this season.
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The team are very excited to be making our debut on the roads in 2026. The TT has long been a passion for numerous members in the team and it has been an ambition to go to the Isle of Man and compete together. To have a rider with the calibre and experience of Jamie Coward on board just makes us even more motivated to do well. Jamie will be competing on a Honda Fireblade in the Superbike, two Superstock and the Senior TT as well as the two Supersport races on a Rapid Honda CBR600. He will also be joining Ash and Deco for selected Superstock rounds at BSB.
Jamie Coward: I’d really like to thank everyone involved with Rapid Honda and Drivelife, it’s a fresh start for myself and I’m really motivated and super excited to get going with the new team and team mates and I am really looking forward to what lies ahead.
By joining the RAPID HONDA racing team as a sponsor, you will become part of one of the most thrilling motorcycle racing championships in the world. And as a team member, you will also enjoy exclusive benefits including full corporate hospitality at the races, exclusive rides with our race team, access to team discounts off training and your company brand on the team bike.
JOIN US FOR THE RIDE
