Rob Mac Racing's Karl Harris finally got his season underway three weeks ago at Donington Park, and will look to make strong inroads to the championship leaders at the fifth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton this weekend (13th-15th June).
The Bomber' proved just what an awesome package that he and the Rob mac Racing Yamaha have become with limited track time at Donington Park. Blisteringly fast all weekend, Karl ran as high as second position, with only one other rider possessing the consistent pace to be able to run as quick as the Yamaha rider. However, lack of race action this season hindered Karl's progress as he battled for points around the most physically demanding circuit on the race calendar. Uncharacteristic arm pump', synonymous with the Leicestershire circuit, prevented Karl from realising his full potential with a deserved podium settling for two-seventh place finishes and his first points of the season.
Karl took time out of his busy training schedule to appear at the MSVR Media Day at Cadwell Park, taking a number of journalists, including The Sun's sports write Gary Payne, on a series of pillion laps. The afternoon gave Karl the opportunity of a dry test session ahead of the August Bank Holiday round.
A change in race schedule at Snetterton offers Karl a longer rest period between races. The Pirelli Pit Walk at 10.45 precedes the race day action. The lights will go out on the first 21-lapper at 13.15, with Karl's second visit to the grid at 16.30.
Karl Harris: "I've now done a few full race distances now that will stand me in good stead for the Snetterton. The arm pump at Donington stopped me from getting on the podium but that shouldn't happen any more. I've been doing a lot of training for general fitness and my foot is feeling stronger all the time. Snetterton is a fast circuit that requires some real bottle and that last chicane sorts the men from the boys. I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike, it's an amazing package and the lads work really hard to put it together for me every round. I'm confident that we can be up at the top of the time sheets again, convert that to a front row qualifying position and who knows from there?"
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "Snetterton will be our starting point of the season! We decided to give our competitors a little head start and now we are ready! Karl's incredibly unlucky start to the season is now behind him and he'll line up 110% fit and ready for action. Donington was always going to be tough coming back from injury and we used the race weekend as a test, Karl ran at the top of most of the timing sheets before race day and battled at the front of both races before having to ease up with the dreaded 'arm pump' something historically linked to the Donington track with its severe braking section. All that is behind us now and we'll be more than ready at Snetterton. Our bike should be flying down the Revetts straight and Karl is more than up for the race day battle."
Eurosport 2 Live TV Broadcast Window, 13.00 - 14.00 and 15.30 - 1745 (Sunday 15th June)
Images: Steve Eyton & Jakob Ebrey
