PODIUM DEBUT FOR HARRIS

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 McElnea, Team Principal: "We'll take that! We'd had a real tough weekend up until now as Knockhill's not the easiest place to come to especially with the conditions that we've all faced. However, the luck was on our side for once. We'd had a lack of dry time and Karl struggled as a result in race one. We made a number of changes for the second and he responded well. We had a chat during the stoppage and put Karl back out on slicks. Karl's confidence grew throughout the second part of the race. He knew he had to get past Rutter at the start and push pretty hard It was good to see him back to how we know he can ride the bike. The Airwaves guys had a taste of the bad luck we've suffered all year, but it's great for Karl and the team to be on the podium and full of confidence ahead of our home round at Cadwell Park."

Rob Mac Pro Ride
Rob Mac Pro Ride fielded young Dubliner, Jack Kennedy for the first time in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship. The Kennedy family decided to give Jack the chance to use the Rob Mac Pro-Ride package and the 20 year old Irishman certainly showcased both his talent and the bikes capabilities amongst a vastly experienced field of riders.

Lining up in pole position, Jack successfully competed with a host of more experienced riders to take the chequered flag in sixth position. It is now hoped that Jack will continue to ride the Pro Ride R6 for the remainder of the season, though a decision will be made after Cadwell Park (23-25 August).
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "Jack Kennedy was superb. He's shown just what a young and enthusiastic rider can do with the Rob Mac Pro Ride package. He only saw the bike for the first time on thursday, rode a few dry laps on friday then stuck it on pole on Saturday! His family have given him great support and to finish sixth in such a classy field is a great achievement. Jack will be out again at Cadwell and should be able to produce another good result."

Jack Kennedy: "I was delighted to get pole in the wet the first time out on the bike. I got a great start and was second at the first corner before a few riders came past me. I tagged on to the back of them for a while and found my pace was pretty strong. When Hudson came past tried to keep up with him but struggled a little. I got the sign from my pit board that I had a six second cushion so knocked it off a bit. I really enjoyed the race but just wish we'd had a little more dry track time in practice. I've got to say a massive thanks to Rob Mac and the team, especially Spider, they've been great this weekend. I'll be on the bike again at Cadwell so really looking forward to that."

BSB Race 1 Result
1. Sykes (Suzuki), 2. Byrne (Ducati), 3. J.Ellison (Honda), 4. Rutter (Ducati), 5. Camier (Ducati), 7) Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha)

BSB Race 2 Result
1. Haslam (Honda), 2. Rutter (Ducati), 3. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha), 4 Sykes (Suzuki),5. J.Ellison (Honda)

BSB Championship Standings
Byrne - 332, 2. Crutchlow - 222, 3. Sykes - 214, 4. Haslam - 199, 5. Camier - 179,12. Karl Harris - 69

Supersport Race Result
1. Lowry (Suzuki), 2. Westmoreland (Honda), 3. Richards (Triumph), 4. Webb (Honda), 5. Kennaugh (Yamaha), 6. Kennedy (Rob Mac Pro Ride Yamaha)