Here you can find out the latest news, Karl's home life, events he's taken part in and all the news through out the season.
Karl ‘Bomber' Harris took full advantage of the fast changing weather conditions to claim his first podium of the season at Round 8 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in Knockhill, Scotland today (10 August). Having qualified the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha in 9th position, Karl ‘Bomber' Harris was reliant on a very strong start in both races for any hope of a podium finish. A dry Race One saw Karl make progress to push the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha into 7th position, bagging himself a further 9 points for his late Championship charge. It was all change for Race Two that began in very wet conditions following a torrential downpour just prior to the grid forming. Karl got a good start to enter turn one in 7th position, by the end of the first lap melee Karl maintained his 8th position, but as he started to make progress on the field ahead the race was stopped after a three rider crash further down the order stopped the race for essential repairs to the air fence. Drama ensued with the weather conditions rapidly improving, a fast drying track saw a number of riders make a very late change to their tyre choice for full slicks after the grid formation. This left a clear gap ahead for Karl on the second row of the grid, providing Karl the opportunity he needed to make a strong start. As the lights went out Karl lived up to his nickname ‘bombing' his way into forth place just behind Michael Rutter in. By lap 2 Karl had taken Rutter for third with Leon Haslam ahead of him. Championship leader Shane Byrne was on a mission at the front of the field but by lap 9 Haslam was posting the fastest laps. Karl was under pressure from Rutter who had found some late pace, passing the ‘Bomber' in the next few laps, pushing him back to 4th. A battling Harris continued to chase Rutter to regain his podium position but it was a crash from race leader Shane Byrne that stopped the race, putting himself out of the points and Harris back on the podium. The third place finish has been a long time coming for the Yorkshireman, after a well publicised string of bad luck, it was only a matter of time before the truly talented Karl Harris's luck turned. Elevating himself up the Championship standings into 12th place, Karl will look to continue his podium finishes to salvage what he can from the second half of the season. The team now move on to their ‘home round' for Round 9 at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on a high. Based a stone's throw from the team base, Karl is famous for his spectacular ‘jumps' over the infamous mountain. All the action takes place on Bank Holiday weekend in two weeks time (23 - 25 August).
Karl Harris: "At last! I'm really pleased to be up here again, it's something that we have worked for all season, we all know the story so far this year with me so I'm well happy. Just before the race Rob's girlfriend Susan got me to kiss her baby bump for luck, it worked, so I'll thank her for that! The choice to run slicks for the restart was a gamble that paid off for us. It's mega to repay Rob and the whole team at last, they've believed in me and worked so hard for me this year."
Rob Mac Racing's Karl Harris turned a near disastrous weekend around for a season best, fifth place finish at Round 6 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship today (June 29). Karl Harris qualified his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 in 7th position on the second row giving himself every chance of the well deserved podium finish that has eluded him so far this season. Harris was making consistent progress through the field before disaster struck on Lap 10 in Race 1. Unbeknown to Karl, a stone had pierced his radiator causing a rapidly rising temperature gauge, leaving him no alternative than to retire his Yamaha into the pits, ending his crusade. Race Two started in high drama. Changeable weather conditions had blighted earlier grids and the Superbikes were not to be left out. A downpour just before the grid was formed forced the team managers to make some tough tyre decisions. Rob Mac gambled with a full slick Pirelli tyre choice, banking on the weather clearing up as it had previously done. With Harris doubtful of the task ahead the lights went out for what would be a few very brave laps from those on slicks. With the riders on wets maximising the opportunity of a wet but drying track, Karl made steady progress from 14th place to 10th. A third of the way in, the track was offering a dry ‘strip' and the race was on for ‘The Bomber'. By lap 13 he was in seventh place, with Tom Sykes in reaching distance. Karl closed on Sykes to within 0.5sec and looked poised to earn himself another scalp. With the wet tyre shod riders slipping down the order, the Sykes versus Harris race elevated itself up to a respective fourth and fifth. Although losing out a little to the additional grip that the front intermediate Sykes was running offered, Harris kept his head down and chased him all the way to the flag, missing out on fourth place by just 0.2sec.
Karl Harris: "After our disastrous luck in race one, I'm well happy with that. I'd be lying if I told you I was a happy guy on the grid, the weather conditions pushed a tyre decision that I was not confident with but all credit to Rob, it paid off. The bike felt fantastic and I didn't really have any scary moments, I knew I had to be a bit conservative in the opening laps till it was dry enough to go. I was catching Sykes all the time but he had an intermediate front and a bit more drive out the corners, it was close at the end, 0.2 secs. I'll take fifth and start my season in the second half at Oulton."
Karl Harris left round five of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton, today with mixed results (15 June). A wrong option of tyre choice for the opening race left the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha rider struggling with confidence in the front end of his Yamaha, around the fast Norfolk circuit. Having qualified his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha in 6th spot, Karl was relying on a strong opening to the race to take his challenge to the leaders. With the majority of the leading pack on Pirelli Diablo Superbike 2 tyres, Karl had opted for the harder 3 compound that he’d preferred during the free practice sessions. Although getting away with the leaders into fifth place by the second corner, Karl quickly suffered with confidence in the front end of the Yamaha YZF-R1 and came under pressure from Laverty and Crutchlow. Having been relegated back to 7th Karl was in the sights of James Ellison who finally made his move on Lap 13 to put Karl back to 8th place. Harris kept his head down to chase Ellison all the way to the flag but he missed out on 7th spot by just 0.3s. A torrential downpour delayed the start of the second Bennetts British Superbike race and deemed the 1.95 mile Norfolk circuit wet. The riders eventually took to the grid well after the scheduled 16.30 start on full Pirelli Wet tyres. Karl Harris made a blistering start from the sixth spot on the grid to elevate himself into second place by the first corner, Riches. Sandwiched between the Ducati riders Leon Camier and Championship leader, Shayne Byrne, Harris needed to keep the pressure on to stay in contention for the lead. As he exited the Esses Karl fell victim to the tremendously slippery track conditions and crashed out of the race. Byrne did a commendable job at stopping just short of the stricken Harris who was laying directly in-front of him. Although he picked his Yamaha YZF-R1 up and rejoined the race, the damage to the bike forced Karl into the garage for an early finish to his weekend. Karl will look to the sixth round at Mallory Park in two weeks time as a platform to add further points to his championship total.
Karl Harris: “I’m gutted to be honest, I missed out on a better finish in Race 1 and we knew the reasons why. The rain ahead of Race 2 changed our plans but everyone is in the same position. I got a blinding start and was running in second when the bike just let go mid corner and I was down on the floor. It was a bit of a schoolboy error if I’m honest, the tyre was cold and I paid the price.“
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: “It’s been a disappointing end to the weekend. Karl got caught in the wet conditions when he asked too much from the tyre on the first lap. Obviously we are looking for a win from Karl and he rode hard to try and achieve that. It’s another set-back that we could do without but no doubt we will be back up there at Mallory on top form again.”
Karl Back in The Seat For Donington
Karl Harris is once again fit and raring to blast into action this Bank Holiday Weekend, as Donington Park in Leicestershire hosts the fourth round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship (24-26 May). The Sheffield-based rider had to endure the frustrations of sitting out the rescheduled opening round at Brands Hatch (11 May), due to injury but has now recovered sufficiently. Karl will look towards the two 20- lap Superbike races on Monday afternoon to finally post some much needed points onto the leader board. Admittedly, Donington Park has never been one of the 27-year old hard man’s favourite circuits but he still enjoys the challenges that the 2.5-mile circuit brings to top level Superbike riders. Free Practice takes place on Saturday, with the 50-minute SWAN COMBI 50 – Roll for Pole qualifying session on Sunday afternoon. The first Superbike race blasts into action at 13.00, with the lights going out for Karl’s second visit to the grid at 15.30. Fans will get the chance to meet all of their racing heroes, including Rob Mac Racing’s Karl Harris, during the race day pit walk prior to the action at 11.15. For tickets to the fourth round of the Championship, contact Donington Park on www.doningtonpark.co.uk. Log on to www.robmacracing
for more news updates on the most fiercely competitive domestic Superbike Championship in the world.Karl Harris: "Obviously, I was really gutted when we took the decision to sit out the re-run for Brands and take some time back to get fit. It's not ideal but I took the advice from Rob Mac and Toby Branfoot (Series Doctor) and rested up. My foot has really benefited from the time off the bike, so the advice was spot on. It's feeling really good and I am walking normally on it again. It's not been back in a cast and I've just adjusted my training to make up for it. I've been doing my boxing training every night this week and playing some golf to give it some gentle exercise. I can't wait to carry on with all the positive work that we've been doing. My crew have worked so hard and it's time those the results come in.”
Horrific Crash for Bomber and Thruxton
Following a nightmare weekend at Thruxton Karl is at home nursing some broken bones in his foot and a very saw face but is surprisingly fit after such a serious accident. He is determined to be back at Oulton Park in a weeks time, to achieve the results he so badly wants. We would like to say thanks to everyone with their messages of support and concern. The fact that he was able to walk away from such a large impact was a great relief to his family and friends. The weekend had started out so very promising with Karl on the pace from the very beginning. We are hoping our luck improves for Oulton Park and are hoping to achieve some great results. Once again thank you to everyone who has sent their concern.
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Unfortunately the 1st race day of the 2008 season has been cancelled due to bad weather conditions. The weekend got off to a good start weather wise, with just a little bit of rain on Saturday afternoon. Sunday however was a different story as the whole track was covered in snow and after much effort the track was still not clear by 11am causing them to cancel the racing. The meeting will be rescheduled for the 10th & 11th May. Saturday the 10th will be free practise and 11th will be race day with the qualifying positions staying as they already are, which for Karl is a very good 2nd position.