SECOND CONSECUTIVE CROWN FOR KING KARL
12 September 2004 - Honda Racing

The king of the British Supersport Championship – Karl Harris – has claimed his second consecutive title aboard the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR600RR.

He took victory in style with a typically dominant win at the 2.692-mile Oulton Park track. It was Harris’s fourth win from four starts at the Cheshire circuit over the past two seasons.

Yorkshireman Harris entered the penultimate round of the series with a 30-point advantage over nearest rival Jay Vincent. To secure the championship, he simply had to beat Vincent and the other title challenger Michael Laverty. This proved relatively easy for the 24-year-old Sheffield star with Laverty retiring from the race on the opening lap and Vincent passing the chequered flag more than eight seconds behind the champion in third position.

Harris powered the all-conquering CBR600RR from pole position into an early race lead at the first corner. Honda machinery dominated the early part of the thrilling 16-lap race with the Padgetts’ Hondas of Vincent and Leon Camier completing the top three alongside Harris.

The HM Plant Honda rider set about pulling out a significant gap at the front of the field, leaving a spectacular six-way dice for fourth position behind him. A victorious Harris treated the crowd to a series of amazing stand-up wheelies that he is renowned for as part of his celebrations before taking to the top step of the podium for the sixth time this season.

Karl Harris: “That was the perfect race for HM Plant Honda Racing – I couldn’t have planned it any better. I got a good start, kept my head down and got my nose out in front. When I pulled out a bit of a gap, I knew all I had to do was focus on maintaining my advantage.

“It’s an even better feeling than last year – awesome! I’d like to thank Honda, HM Plant and Dunlop for giving me a championship-winning package. The CBR600RR is the best bike in the Supersport class and I’m in the best team – an unbeatable combination.

“Everyone has been asking me about moving up to the Superbike class. However, I don’t want to think about that just now. I’m happy to enjoy the moment and savour my back-to-back British Supersport titles.”

Result: 1. K. Harris (HM Plant Honda Racing) 27:04.288; 2. T. Sykes (Suzuki) +1.848; 3. J. Vincent (Honda) +6.172; 4.L. Camier (Honda) +7.274; 5. C. Jones (Triumph) +9.443; 6. S. Easton (Ducati) +9.766 ; 7. C. Crutchlow (Honda) +12.232; 8. A. Coates (Suzuki) +12.630; 9. P. Riba +14.652; 10. K. Murphy +14.856

Points after round 12: 1. Harris – 222 (champion); 2. Vincent – 183; 3. Laverty – 158; 4. Riba – 117; 5. Sykes –107; 6. Camier – 98; 7. Quigley – 95; 8. Andrews – 83; 9. Jones – 68; 10. Crutchlow – 66

Footnote: Red Bull Rookies Honda’s Billy McConnell was unable to compete at Oulton Park after suffering concussion in a crash during Friday’s free practice session.

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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