TT 2018: Harrison reveals secrets behind 2018 speed

The 2018 Isle of Man TT was the making of Silicone Engineering Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison.

The Yorkshireman stepped up from a potential podium challenger to fighting for the win in each race he started and while he only walked away from the 2018 TT with one silver lady from the second Supersport race, he was on the podium in every race he finished.

On the pace from the early stages of practice with a pair of 133mph laps on Tuesday, Harrison would go on to shatter Michael Dunlop’s outright lap record in the Superbike race with an average lap speed of 134.423mph from a standing start on the opening 37.73 miles.

And while that record wouldn’t last long with Peter Hickman obliterating it with his 135.452mph lap in the Senior TT, Harrison remains the only rider other than the Senior TT victor to have lapped the course at over 134mph.

“I’ve never ridden a full-spec Superbike before, this year is my first time on a fully charged Superbike rather than using a stock engine or other stock parts on the bike,” Harrison responded when asked what was the secret to his 2018 speed.

“Riding in BSB has also helped me massively, there is no way to improve your riding and get your head into gear other than riding and we’ve made some good steps in BSB.

“I’ve got a good team here with Silicone Engineering, they’ve ploughed a lot of money in this year. You can’t compete with the likes of Tyco or Hickman’s team without the funding to buy the parts you need to take it to them. If you haven’t got the budget you just cannot compete with them, it’s simple!” 

Pick up this week’s MCN for a comprehensive, 36 page Isle of Man TT review!