MIXED FORTUNES FOR HARRIS
10 July 2005 - Honda Racing

Karl Harris collected further points towards his championship tally at Snetterton today after securing eighth position in race one of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

The Honda-Racing.co.uk rider faced a tough battle for the hard-fought place after qualifying in tenth – his lowest starting position of the season.

Harris spent many laps dicing with fellow Honda rider Steve Plater before sealing the advantage in the duel of the two CBR1000RR Fireblades. Indeed, the Honda Superbike continued to prove its dominance in the series with a further three podium finishes at the 1.952-mile Norfolk circuit.

However, the 25-year-old suffered a setback later in the day when he was forced to retire from race two on lap six due to problems with the rear tyre of the Dunlop/BLD-backed machine. Having just recovered from two broken ribs, the Sheffield star decided to play it safe as he felt unable to complete race distance and make it to the chequered flag.

Karl Harris: “Unfortunately, I was unable to finish race two, but I’m pleased that I picked up some points in the first race. I have had a bit of bad luck over the last few rounds, so the break in the calendar has maybe come at a good time. I’m hoping to return to the series much stronger at Silverstone and get back to dicing for a place on the podium.”

Race one: 1. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) 27:34.719; 2. L. Haslam (Ducati) +8.280; 3. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) +12.002; 4. J. Haydon (Suzuki) +13.263; 5. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +19.725; 6. K. Harris (Honda-Racing.co.uk) +28.409; 7. S. Plater (Honda) +28.723; 8. G. Mason (Honda) +29.066; 9. B. Wilson (Kawasaki) +30.246; 10. T. Hill (Yamaha) +31.866

Fastest lap: 1:05.685 – Kiyonari (lap 15, new lap record)

Race two: 1. G. Lavilla (Ducati) 27:39.538; 2. M. Laverty (Honda) +1.768; 3. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +5.982; 4. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) +10.080; 5. S. Plater (Honda) +21.383; 6. B. Wilson (Kawasaki) +21.666; 7. T. Hill (Yamaha) +21.755; 8. G. Mason (Honda) +22.234; 9. D. Thomas (Kawasaki) +22.716; 10. C. Burns (Yamaha) +39.160; DNF – R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing)

Fastest lap: 1:05.713 – Laverty (lap 3)

Championship points: 1. Rutter – 302; 2. Kiyonari – 257; 3. Lavilla – 241; 4. Haslam – 172; 5. Richards – 160; 6. Harris – 125; 7. Laverty –113; 8. Thomas – 109; 9. Mason – 98; 10. Emmett – 79

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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