HARRIS AIMS TO GO ONE BETTER
16 September 2004 - Honda Racing

Karl Harris is hoping to dominate the final round of the British Supersport Championship in the same way that he has eclipsed his rivals over the past two seasons.

The newly crowned British Supersport Champion has made the ultra-competitive series his own with HM Plant Honda Racing and the all-conquering CBR600RR.

Yorkshireman Harris secured his sixth victory of the season at Oulton Park last weekend – the same number of wins as his 2003 championship-winning season – to give himself an unbeatable 39-point advantage at the top of the championship standings. His last remaining objective for 2003 is to add to his tally of wins and beat his 2003 total.

Never one to rest on his laurels, the 24-year-old is intent on proving his worth as champion in the 18-lap race at Donington Park. He has fended off fierce opposition from Michael Laverty and fellow Honda riders Jay Vincent and Leon Camier throughout the 2004 season in defence of his title.

Harris completed last season on a high after finishing in second position behind Laverty at the famous 2.5-mile British Grand Prix circuit. He also claimed the runner-up spot in the International Supersport race at the British Grand Prix at the same venue in July this year.

His Red Bull Rookies Honda team-mate Billy McConnell will return to the track after missing the Supersport race at Oulton Park. The young Australian crashed his CBR600RR during practice and was unable to compete as a result of suffering concussion. He is looking forward to getting back on track this weekend. The 17-year-old is aiming for another top 15 finish, to add to the point that he scored in his debut at Croft last month.

Karl Harris (1st = 222 points – champion): “It’s always great to race when there’s no pressure to perform. I know that I’ve already won the title, so I can just go out and enjoy myself at Donington Park. That’s not to say that I won’t be trying to win. I enter every race with the same attitude – that second isn’t good enough. It would also be my way of thanking HM Plant Honda Racing for their support.”

Billy McConnell: “I can’t wait to get back on the CBR600RR and experience a race on the Grand Prix circuit at Donington Park. I’m hoping to finish in the points again for Red Bull Rookies Honda. I was really disappointed not to compete at Oulton Park. It was great to be there and see Karl win the championship again though – it was awesome to see the full capabilities of the Honda CBR600RR, albeit in my position as a spectator.”

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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