HARRIS WINS HONDA DOMINATED RACE
18 July 2004 - Honda Racing

HM Plant Honda Racing’s Karl Harris has won another closely fought British Supersport Championship round at Mallory Park.

The Honda CBR600RR machines of Harris, Jay Vincent and Leon Camier dominated the race at the 1.39-mile Leicestershire circuit – but it was Harris who reached the chequered flag first to extend his championship advantage to 36 points over Michael Laverty.

The nail-biting encounter saw the 24-year-old Yorkshireman take an early lead on lap one from fourth on the grid. He lost his position at the front of the field on lap seven when Vincent made his move. A tense battle ensued between the two front-running riders for the remainder of the 28-lap race.

With just one lap to go Harris seized the opportunity to close in on race leader Vincent, but a mistake at the hairpin saw him lose the top position just moments after taking the advantage. The HM Plant Honda Racing rider stayed calm and confident, finally passing Vincent on the approach to Edwina’s on the last lap to take his fifth win of the season.

The result confirms Harris as one of the favourites for next week’s International Supersport race at the British Grand Prix. The defending British Supersport Champion has been entered in Red Bull Rookies Honda team colours for the prestigious non-championship race at Donington Park.

Karl Harris: “That was a fantastic race with Jay [Vincent]. He came past me in the earIy stages and I decided to play a waiting game. After biding my time and assessing where I could overtake him, my first move was a little too hot on the approach to the hairpin.

“However, I was determined to win for HM Plant Honda Racing and had to make my next challenge count on the run out of Gerard’s. Taking my fifth win of the season has made a big difference to the points table. I’ve increased my advantage and now I can focus on winning more races over the final rounds of the season.”

Result: 1. K. Harris (HM Plant Honda Racing) 25:04.525; 2. J. Vincent (Honda) +0.278; 3. L. Camier (Honda) +5.075; 4. M. Laverty (Ducati) +12.548; 5. P. Young (Honda) +14.883; 6. M. Llewellyn (Ducati) +17.497; 7. C. Crutchlow (Honda) +20.087; 8. A. Coates (Suzuki) +21.114; 9. T. Sykes (Suzuki) +23.000; 10. K. Murphy (Honda) +25.062

Points after round nine: 1. Harris – 181; 2. Laverty – 145; 3. Vincent – 117; 4. Riba – 101; 5. Andrews – 76; 6. Quigley – 70; 7. Camier – 65; 8. Sykes – 54; 9. Crutchlow – 50; 10=. Jones, Young – 49

www.honda-racing.co.uk

More News
  For July 2004
  From Honda Racing
  For Racing General
  Biker247.com Home Page