SECOND-PLACED START FOR HARRIS
14 August 2004 - Honda Racing

Karl Harris has qualified on the front row for tomorrow’s British Supersport Championship race at the 2.127-mile Croft circuit.

It is the eighth time this season that the HM Plant Honda Racing rider has started in the top four.

Sheffield-based Harris is determined to ensure that a Yorkshireman wins at the North Yorkshire track during its inaugural British Supersport round this weekend. Although he has never previously visited Croft, the 24-year-old put in a fastest lap of 1:23.576 – only 0.089 seconds down on pole position Leon Camier (Honda).

A race win at Croft will mean that the defending champion will extend his already strong 36-point advantage and increase his chances of claiming the 2004 title for HM Plant Honda Racing aboard the all-conquering CBR600RR.

Hot and sunny conditions resulted in a track temperature of 37 degrees for the afternoon qualifying session. Harris improved on his morning times by nearly one second to move from eighth to second on the grid in the highly competitive Supersport series.

His new team-mate Billy McConnell also showed a vast improvement on the Red Bull Rookies Honda CBR600RR from the morning session. Despite running off the track on the last lap, Australian McConnell improved his time by nearly two seconds with a fastest time of 1:25.921. He will start the race from 23rd on the grid.

Karl Harris: “It’s always good to start the race from the front row and try to get an early lead. My aim for the whole season has been to win races and it is still the same. I’ve got a good advantage, so I’ve just got to make sure that I hang onto it.”

Billy McConnell: “Croft is a bit like one of the circuits I know in Australia, so it hasn’t been too much of a shock. There’s still a lot to get used to at the moment with the new bike, tyres and team. I’m a little disappointed with my position because I’m used to finishing in the top five in Superstock. I’m just really pleased to have the chance to race in Britain, especially with a professional team like Red Bull Rookies Honda.”

Qualifying times: 1. L. Camier (Honda) 1:23.487; 2. K. Harris (HM Plant Honda Racing) 1:23.576; 3. M. Laverty (Ducati) 1:23.738; 4. L. Quigley (Suzuki)1:23.752; 5. A. Coates (Suzuki) 1:23.774; 6. J. Vincent (Honda) 1:23.781; 7. Riba (Kawasaki) 1:23.813; 8. M. Llewellyn (Ducati) 1:23.850; 9. T. Sykes (Suzuki) 1:23.929; 10. C. Jones (Triumph) 1:24.042; 23. B. McConnell (Red Bull Rookies Honda) 1:25.921

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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