Harris’ tough debut on SMT Honda

After a weekend of troubles, Karl Harris salvaged a distant 14th place in the second BSB race at Silverstone in his debut on the SMT Honda.

It was scant reward for early in the weekend, it looked like he was heading for some exciting results.

Robin Croft’s tight knit team was back in action courtesy of backing from biking legal service sorrymate.com and Harris posted sixth fastest time in free practice on Friday and said: “I’m really happy.

“That Yamaha I rode at Croft was really hard work but this (the SMT honda) doesn’t feel that much different to the Hydrex Honda I rode earlier this year (the bike was actually built by the Hydrex team and still offer technical support).”

But when it came to qualifying, things took a dive. Harris bombed in Qualifying1, finishing up in 22nd to miss the cut for Q2.

“I don’t know what went wrong,” he said glumly after the session. “It was running wide in every corner once I’d let the brakes off.

“I did 27.1 on an 18-lap tyre. I did 26s in practice Saturday am. And then this happens. The races are going to be interesting!”

The team discovered a steering head bearing failure and Harris was looking forward to battling his way through the pack but his first race ended prematurely with clutch slip on the sighting lap.

“What a disaster,” said Harris, “but we’ll be on it at Oulton.”

For the record, Harris finished second in both race there on the Hydrex Honda in May – his best results of the year. No wonder he lists the Cheshire venue as his favourite circuit.