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Karl Harris
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Karl Harris
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Karl Harris (21 October 1979 – 3 June 2014) was a three-time British Supersport champion. In 2010 he switched to the British Superstock Championship on a GR Motorsport Aprilia.[1] Harris was killed when racing during the 2014 Isle of Man TT.

Key Information

Early career

[edit]

Harris started his career in 1996, moving through the junior ranks to race in the European Superstock Championship, winning the title on the Suzuki GSX-R750, as well as taking in some rounds of World Supersport in 1999, with a best result of 4th. He returned to the UK in 2001, racing a Suzuki in the British Supersport Championship, which he won. He then graduated to Superbike racing in 2002 on a Suzuki, but this was not a successful season. In 2003 and 2004, he again raced in Supersport for HM Plant Honda, winning the title in both years.

British Superbikes 2005–2014

[edit]

For 2005 Harris returned to BSB with a Honda run from their UK factory in Swindon, finishing 9th overall with a best result of 3rd.

Harris riding the Hydrex Honda during the 2009 British Superbikes round at Snetterton

He moved to the main HRC Honda team alongside Ryuichi Kiyonari for 2006, taking a 2nd place at Oulton Park, less than 0.1 seconds behind race winner Gregorio Lavilla. A crash in the first race at Snetterton caused him to miss the second, although he was not seriously injured. He took his first pole position at Oulton Park that year. He came close to his first series win in the second race at Croft in the wet, passed by Leon Haslam with half a lap to go. While Kiyonari won the title, Harris finished fifth overall, behind the semi-works bike of Jonathan Rea, who replaced him in the factory team for 2007.

He switched to the Hydrex Honda for 2007, with a best result in the first half of the season a 6th place, again showing good pace at Oulton Park.[2] He scored an emotional second place in the second round at Oulton Park in August.

For 2008 he moved to Rob Mac Racing, riding a factory Yamaha. He crashed in the first round after being struck by Tom Sykes' fallen Rizla Suzuki.[3] He did not finish any of the first six races of the year,[citation needed] leading him to largely give up on the season.[4] At the final meeting of the season he was quick in practice, before being forced to pull out.[5] He made a one-off appearance on a works Yamaha in the World Supersport championship at Brands Hatch,[6] crashing out of 5th place.

Harris on the start stop straight at Cadwell Park

For 2009 Harris moved to Shaun Muir's Hydrex Bike Devil's Honda team. He was tipped as a dark horse for the title by former rival Leon Haslam,[7] but struggled to meet expectations. Following two second-place finishes in round two of the championship at Oulton Park, Harris struggled to compete with the championship contenders throughout the season. On 4 September 2009, with three rounds of the championship remaining, his contract with the Hydrex Honda team was terminated with immediate effect.[8] having been on a race-by-race deal for much of the season due to Muir being unhappy with his performance[9] He contested the final two rounds on a Sorrymate.com SMT Honda, but crashed heavily in the final meeting at Oulton Park.

Harris riding for PR Racing in BSB, Brands Hatch, October 2013

For 2010 he switched to the British Superstock Championship on a GR Motorsport Aprilia, but left the team after three disappointing races.[10]

2012 Harris took the place of Gary Mason in the PR Racing under the banner of Quattro Plant Kawasaki. He raced in a few selected rounds and had some promising finishes including finishing 7th and 9th at Cadwell Park. These results were some of the team's best finishes all season. Karl then continued with PR Racing for the rest of the season racing at Assen(18th), Silverstone(13th) and Brands Hatch(12th).

In 2013 Harris signed a new contract with PR Racing and started his first BSB season since 2009 when he was racing with Hydrex Honda.

Death

[edit]

Harris died on 3 June 2014 after an incident at Joey's Corner[11] on the second lap of the Superstock Race during the 2014 Isle of Man TT.[12]

Career results

[edit]
Year Series Position
1999 European Superstock Championship (1st)
2000 British Superbike Championship (26th)
2001 British Supersport Championship (1st)
2002 British Superbike Championship (12th)
2003 British Supersport Championship (1st)
2004 British Supersport Championship (1st)
2005 British Superbike Championship (7th)
2006 British Superbike Championship (5th)
2007 British Superbike Championship (11th)
2008 British Superbike Championship (11th)
2009 British Superbike Championship (14th)
2012 British Superbike Championship (Selected rounds)

In 2012 Harris made his TT debut for the SMT Honda racing team finishing 21st in the superbike race and 28th in the superstock race whilst also lapping in excess of 121 mph.

British Superbike Championship

[edit]

By year

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Pts
R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2 R1 R2
2005 Honda BHI
6 		BHI
6 		THR
6 		THR
8 		MAL
Ret 		MAL
6 		OUL
3 		OUL
3 		MOP
4 		MOP
7 		CRO
Ret 		CRO
Ret 		KNO
8 		KNO
11 		SNE
6 		SNE
Ret 		SIL
4 		SIL
9 		CAD
4 		CAD
5 		OUL
8 		OUL
5 		DON
Ret 		DON
9 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		7th 195
Year Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Pos Pts
R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3
2006 Honda BHI
2 		BHI
5 		DON
6 		DON
Ret 		THR
Ret 		THR
3 		OUL
5 		OUL
2 		MON
C 		MON
C 		MAL
7 		MAL
4 		SNE
Ret 		SNE
DNS 		KNO
7 		KNO
6 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
2 		CRO
10 		CRO
2 		CAD
10 		CAD
5 		SIL
3 		SIL
6 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
4 		5th 244
2008 Yamaha THR
Ret 		THR
Ret 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
Ret 		BHGP
 BHGP
 DON
7 		DON
7 		SNE
8 		SNE
Ret 		MAL
Ret 		MAL
5 		OUL
26 		OUL
9 		KNO
7 		KNO
3 		CAD
Ret 		CAD
10 		CRO
8 		CRO
8 		SIL
Ret 		SIL
5 		BHI
DNS 		BHI
DNS 		11th 102
2009 Honda/Yamaha BHI
Ret 		BHI
6 		OUL
2 		OUL
2 		DON
6 		DON
18 		THR
11 		THR
9 		SNE
8 		SNE
9 		KNO
Ret 		KNO
Ret 		MAL
Ret 		MAL
7 		BHGP
8 		BHGP
6 		BHGP
14 		CAD
15 		CAD
8 		CRO
14 		CRO
16 		SIL
Ret 		SIL
14 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
DNS 		OUL
DNS 		14th 124.5
2010 Yamaha BHI
 BHI
 THR
 THR
 OUL
 OUL
 CAD
 CAD
 MAL
Ret 		MAL
Ret 		KNO
 KNO
 SNE
 SNE
 SNE
 BHGP
 BHGP
 BHGP
 CAD
 CAD
 CRO
 CRO
 SIL
 SIL
 OUL
 OUL
 OUL
 NC 0
2011 Aprilia BHI
 BHI
 OUL
 OUL
 CRO
 CRO
 THR
 THR
 KNO
 KNO
 SNE
 SNE
 OUL
Ret 		OUL
C 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		CAD
15 		CAD
4 		CAD
15 		DON
Ret 		DON
Ret 		SIL
22 		SIL
22 		BHGP
21 		BHGP
10 		BHGP
18 		27th 10
2012 Kawasaki BHI
 BHI
C 		THR
 THR
 OUL
 OUL
 OUL
 SNE
 SNE
 KNO
 KNO
 OUL
 OUL
 OUL
 BHGP
13 		BHGP
12 		CAD
7 		CAD
9 		DON
DNS 		DON
DNS 		ASS
18 		ASS
Ret 		SIL
13 		SIL
Ret 		BHGP
12 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		21st 23
Year Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos Pts
R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3
2013 Kawasaki BHI
Ret 		BHI
7 		THR
7 		THR
Ret 		OUL
16 		OUL
Ret 		KNO
DNS 		KNO
DNS 		SNE
 SNE
 BHGP
15 		BHGP
Ret 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
Ret 		OUL
17 		CAD
16 		CAD
12 		DON
Ret 		DON
Ret 		ASS
 ASS
 SIL
18 		SIL
DNS 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		BHGP
Ret 		21st 23

British Supersport Championship

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos Pts
2010 Triumph BHI
 THR
 OUL
 CAD
 MAL
 KNO
 SNE
 BHGP
Ret 		CAD
9 		CRO
Ret 		SIL
Ret 		OUL
Ret 		26th 7

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Karl Harris

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Karl Harris (21 October 1979 – 3 June 2014) was an English motorcycle road racer from , , renowned for his three British Supersport Championship titles and successful career in the (BSB). Born in , Harris began his racing career as a teenager in the , representing Team in the Superteen Championship and securing a top-three finish in the British Superteen series in 1997 after debuting in 1996. He achieved early international success by winning the 1999 European Superstock 1000cc Championship before dominating domestic Supersport racing with victories in 2001 on a for , and in 2003 and 2004 on a for HM Plant . Transitioning to the BSB in the mid-2000s, Harris rode for factory teams including , Yamaha, and , amassing 12 career podiums with his best result being fifth overall in 2006, highlighted by six podium finishes. He also competed in the World Supersport Championship for one season and made his debut in 2012, where he lapped at over 121 mph on his first outing. Known as "Bomber" for his aggressive riding style, Harris tragically died at age 34 from multiple injuries sustained in a crash at Joey's Corner during the 2014 race on the Isle of Man Mountain Course.

Early career

Junior racing beginnings

Born on 21 October 1979 in , , Karl Harris developed an early interest in , laying the foundation for a professional career that began in his teenage years. Harris entered the sport in 1996 at age 16, competing in the British Superteen Championship, an entry-level series designed as a class for on small-displacement motorcycles. In his rookie season, he secured victories in the opening and closing rounds at , ultimately finishing fourth overall in the standings. The following year, 1997, saw further progress as he achieved third place in the championship, demonstrating consistent improvement and raw talent in the competitive junior field. It was during these early races that Harris earned the nickname "Bomber," attributed to his bold and aggressive riding style. By 1998, at age 18, Harris transitioned to more senior domestic racing circuits, joining the Chapman’s CABB team for national events that honed his skills amid a season marked by several high-speed crashes and mechanical challenges. These formative experiences in British club and national competitions built his resilience and technical proficiency on larger machinery, preparing him for opportunities. In 1999, this groundwork led to his progression into European-level competition.

European Superstock Championship

In 1999, at the age of 19, Karl Harris made his breakthrough on the international stage by competing in the inaugural European Superstock 1000 Championship, a series emphasizing near-production motorcycles with minimal modifications. Riding for the GR Motosport team on a fuel-injected bike—chosen due to the lack of a competitive 1000cc option from at the time—he benefited from backing by and tire supplier Metzeler, along with support from mechanics Neil ‘Geezer’ Young and Joe Proctor. Harris's campaign began spectacularly with a in the opening round at , setting the tone for his challenge against strong rivals including Spain's Daniel Oliver on an and Italy's Dario Tosolini. A highlight came at the round, where he dominated the race by pulling away from British competitor at over two seconds per lap, securing the win with a famous celebratory stand-up, one-handed inspired by World Superbike star —this marked his debut international triumph in the class. The season culminated at , where Harris broke the lap record and clinched the title by finishing ahead of Oliver, whose suffered a crash while leading; with two victories overall, he amassed 189 points to become the series' first , outpacing Oliver's 154 points. This success on stock-based machinery underscored Harris's raw talent and adaptability, earning him widespread recognition and directly paving the way for his entry into the World Supersport Championship the following year.

Supersport racing career

World Supersport Championship

In 2000, Karl Harris made his full-season debut in the World Supersport Championship with Team Metalsistem Endoug , riding the GSX-R750 after qualifying through his 1999 European Superstock title win. The campaign spanned 12 rounds across the globe, from to , presenting Harris with his sole extended exposure to international grand prix-level Supersport racing beyond continental events. Despite being just 20 years old, Harris demonstrated promise against a field featuring established talents like Fabien Foret, who contended for the title that year. His best performance that season was a 9th-place finish at , with his career-best result in the series being 4th at the 1999 German round in . He recorded a top-10 finish overall, culminating in 17th position in the riders' standings and underscoring his adaptability amid the heightened competition and rigorous travel schedule of the world tour. The season proved challenging for Harris, as he navigated mechanical retirements and the step up to prototype-level machinery on a global stage. Following the year, he opted to return to British racing circuits.

British Supersport Championship

Harris began his successful run in the British Supersport Championship in 2001, riding the for the Crescent Suzuki team and clinching the title with 235 points from six race victories. His experience from the previous year's World Supersport Championship provided valuable preparation for this domestic title contention. Following a transition year in 2002, where he focused primarily on international and superbike racing without a strong Supersport presence, Harris returned to the series in 2003 with HM Plant Racing aboard the CBR600RR. In 2003, Harris dominated the championship, securing another title with 235 points and six wins, including a victory at where he qualified second and led from early on to outpace rivals like Stuart Easton, who finished second overall on 192 points. He entered the penultimate round at Oulton Park with a 30-point lead over nearest challenger and sealed the crown with a commanding win, underscoring his consistency on the machine. Harris extended his dominance into 2004, capturing a third consecutive Supersport title on the CBR600RR with 232 points and six victories, again fending off who trailed in second on 196 points. A standout performance came at a rain-soaked round, where he mastered the conditions to win by just over two seconds ahead of Vincent, clinching the championship at later that season. Across his three title-winning years, Harris amassed 18 race wins and multiple pole positions, switching from to amid evolving 600cc machinery, while his rivalries with Easton and Vincent solidified his status as a Supersport icon.

British Superbike career

2005–2009 seasons

Harris made his debut in the (BSB) in 2005 with the HM Plant Honda team, transitioning from his success in the British Supersport Championship where he had secured back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Riding the CBR1000RR Fireblade, he adapted to the higher-displacement class and longer race distances, finishing seventh overall in the riders' standings with 195 points from 22 starts. His season included two podium finishes, both third places in the races at Oulton Park in May, marking his initial strong showings in the more demanding superbike environment. In 2006, Harris remained with HM Plant Honda alongside teammate Ryuichi Kiyonari, achieving his peak performance in BSB to date by finishing fifth overall with 244 points across 22 races. He secured six podiums, including a career-best second place in race two at Oulton Park, where he finished just behind Gregorio Lavilla by 0.090 seconds, and additional runner-up finishes at Thruxton and Croft. These results highlighted his growing consistency and aggressive riding style, though he faced stiff competition from established riders like Shane Byrne and series winner Kiyonari, who dominated with four victories. Bike reliability issues occasionally hampered his progress, but Harris's adaptability helped him contend for top-five positions regularly. Harris switched to the Hydrex team for 2007, but the season proved more challenging as he finished 11th overall with 121 points from 25 starts, earning one —a second place in race two at Oulton Park behind . Mechanical gremlins and intense rivalry from , who clinched the title, limited his results, though standout performances like a strong showing at demonstrated his potential. In 2008, he moved to the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha squad on the YZF-R1, enduring a frustrating year marked by reliability woes and crashes, such as a high-speed incident at Thruxton involving ; he ended 11th again with 102 points from 19 races, securing one —a third place at . Returning to Hydrex Honda for 2009, Harris improved slightly to 14th overall with 124 points from 19 starts, achieving two podiums including a second place at . Despite ongoing challenges with bike setup and the dominance of , who won the championship, Harris accumulated a total of 12 BSB podiums across these five seasons, balancing raw speed with endurance in the superbike class while motivating his transition to further opportunities. His mid-pack consistency underscored his resilience amid evolving team dynamics and marques, from to Yamaha and back.

2010–2014 seasons

In 2010, Harris transitioned to the British Superstock 1000 Championship with GR Motorsport aboard an Aprilia RSV4, a decision prompted by challenges in securing a competitive ride in the premier British Superbike Championship amid rising costs and limited opportunities. This switch allowed him to remain active in national racing, where he delivered consistent performances, including multiple top-5 finishes that highlighted the bike's potential and his adaptability to the class's stock-based format. Harris continued primarily in Superstock for 2011 but made a partial return to the midway through the season with Splitlath Redmond , contesting rounds from Oulton Park onward. Despite some setbacks, such as non-finishes at , he ended the year 27th in the BSB standings, demonstrating resilience in a limited campaign. His time with the squad underscored a focus on building momentum for future full-season efforts. Following his debut, Harris mounted a high-profile comeback to the in 2012 with PR Racing on a Kawasaki ZX-10R, racing a part-season schedule that included the rounds. He showed promising pace, chasing championship leader Shane Byrne closely in opening practice at GP, though mechanical issues led to a DNF in the feature race. This period marked a maturation in his approach, emphasizing preparation for diverse racing demands while contributing to his career total of 12 BSB podiums. The 2013 season saw Harris commit to a full British Superbike campaign with PR Racing Kawasaki, his first complete year in the class since 2009. He achieved a standout seventh-place finish at the opener, a result that reflected improved consistency on the ZX-10R, though challenges elsewhere led to a 20th overall championship position with 23 points. Prior to the 2014 Isle of Man TT, Harris shifted back to the British Superstock 1000 class for selected outings, aiming to balance circuit and commitments on a Kawasaki machine. This final phase of his circuit career emphasized his versatility, building on earlier BSB successes as he prepared for greater involvement in road events with teams like PR Racing.

Isle of Man TT participation

2012–2013 appearances

Harris made his debut at the in 2012 at the age of 32, motivated by a long-standing desire to tackle the challenge of after achieving consistent results in the . Competing for the SMT team, he entered the Superbike and Superstock classes on a 1000cc . In the Dainese Superbike TT, he finished 21st with a race time of 1:54:28.91 at an average speed of 118.646 mph, earning a silver . In the Royal London 360 Superstock TT, Harris placed 28th, again on the , completing the four-lap race with a time of 1:16:06.38 at an average speed of 118.981 mph and earning a silver while adapting to the demanding 37.73-mile Mountain Course. During practice weeks, he progressively built speed, recording laps over 115 mph and reaching 119.122 mph in qualifying sessions as one of the event's newcomers. Harris balanced his TT commitments with his British Superbike schedule, returning to circuit later in 2012 after the event. His participation was inspired in part by his young son Carl's budding interest in motorcycles, reflecting a passion for the . Returning in 2013 with the PR Racing Kawasaki team, Harris showed improvement in the Superstock class, finishing 16th in the Royal 360 Superstock TT on a 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10R with a time of 1:14:33.468 at 121.452 mph—his personal best average speed at the TT to that point and securing a replica. He entered the Supersport classes on a 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R but did not achieve a classified finish, focusing efforts on the 1000cc events. In the Superbike TT, Harris recorded a DNF on the ZX-10R after completing one lap. Throughout the , he completed multiple laps of the course, building on his prior experience while integrating preparation around his British Superbike and commitments. Harris commented on the TT's heightened risks compared to circuit , emphasizing the need for precise adaptation to the variable road conditions and elevations.

2014 Superstock TT

In 2014, Harris competed in multiple classes for the Moto Breakers team, finishing 32nd in the Superbike TT with a time of 1:54:37.635 at 118.495 mph on his 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10R, and 55th in the Monster Energy Supersport TT 1 with 1:20:36.632 at 112.333 mph on a 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R. Harris entered the 2014 race aboard a 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10R prepared to Superstock specifications by the Moto Breakers team, a near-production 1000cc four-cylinder limited by rules to maintain competitive balance through air restrictors, standard internals, and minimal modifications. During the preceding practice and qualifying sessions held from 26 to 30 May 2014, Harris recorded his fastest of 20 minutes 40.682 seconds at an speed of 109.478 mph, securing 70th position on the starting grid among 78 entrants. This performance reflected steady adaptation to the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course, building on his prior TT outings in 2012 and 2013 where he had completed both Superstock and Superbike events without incident. The four-lap race commenced on 3 June 2014 under dry conditions, with riders tackling the demanding public roads at speeds often exceeding 200 mph on straights. On the second lap, at Joey's Corner—the 26th Milestone, a high-speed right-hand kink on the exposed mountain summit section requiring precise throttle control and line selection amid gusting winds—Harris lost control of his ZX-10R, resulting in a high-impact crash. The corner's dynamics, with its cresting approach and cambered turn demanding commitment at over 150 mph, amplified the risks inherent to the Superstock class's powerful yet road-derived machinery. Harris, aged 34, was promptly attended by on-course marshals and airlifted by to Noble's Hospital in Douglas, where his death was confirmed later that evening. The incident marked the second fatality of the 2014 TT festival, following Simon Andrews' crash in the opening Superbike race, underscoring the event's perilous nature despite safety advancements; the Superstock race proceeded to completion, won by at an average speed of 123.459 mph.

Death

Crash and inquest

On 3 June 2014, during the second lap of the race at the Isle of Man TT, Karl Harris, aged 34 and riding a Kawasaki ZX-10R, was involved in a high-speed collision at Joey's Corner after his front tyre clipped the rear of fellow rider Joe Faragher's machine, sending both riders and bikes airborne at speeds estimated between 110 and 140 mph. The incident followed Harris taking a wider-than-usual through the preceding Gooseneck bend, exacerbated by rider bunching caused by a yellow flag slowdown at Ramsey earlier in the lap. A preliminary inquest opened on 11 June 2014 at Douglas Courthouse determined that Harris died from massive blunt force trauma, including multiple injuries to the head, chest, and , sustained in the impact; he landed in a and was pronounced dead at the scene. The full inquest, concluded on 15 January 2015 by of Inquests , recorded a of misadventure, attributing the loss of control to the collision rather than any mechanical failure of the Kawasaki, with no evidence of surface irregularities or other external factors cited as primary causes. Needham emphasized that Harris, an experienced road racer, was fully aware of the inherent risks of the TT, described as "one of the most dangerous road races in the world." The Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) Events Ltd, organizers of the TT, issued a statement confirming the fatality and expressing sympathy to Harris's family, while noting that an investigation into the circumstances was underway; no specific changes to safety protocols were announced in relation to the incident, though the event's inherent dangers for participants were acknowledged. Harris's death marked the second fatality of the 2014 , following that of Bob Price in the opening Supersport race the previous day. His family in was notified privately, and a public funeral service was held on 20 June 2014 at Howden Minster in East , attended by racing colleagues in team colors.

Tributes

Following Karl Harris's death, the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) issued a statement expressing their deepest sympathies to his family and friends, describing the loss as deeply regrettable. Organizers of the (BSB), through MSVR, also conveyed condolences and arranged special memorials, including a by a B-17 Flying Fortress and an RAF GR4 at the Snetterton round to honor Harris alongside Simon Andrews. Teams associated with Harris, including those from his British Superstock tenure such as GR Kawasaki, joined the broader racing community in mourning, with paddock figures noting his professionalism and contributions to the sport. Peers in the world paid heartfelt tributes to Harris's skill and character. Shane "Sharky" Byrne, a multiple BSB champion and contemporary, dedicated his race win at Snetterton to Harris by wearing memorial stickers on his bike, later reflecting on Harris's talent during their shared competitive years. The World Supersport community, where Harris had competed earlier in his career, echoed sentiments of loss, highlighting his European racing roots and competitive spirit from his 2000 season stint. Memorial events underscored the community's and . At subsequent BSB rounds, including Snetterton, riders participated in a tribute lap carrying Harris's helmet, symbolizing and remembrance for his passion. These gestures extended to his family's personal impact, with his son Carl Harris emerging as a rising talent; in 2024, Carl secured multiple victories in the Tracker Kawasaki British Superteen Championship, including an emotional win at that evoked his father's legacy. Media coverage captured Harris's enduring appeal as a "hugely talented racer" with natural ability, as noted in reports following his passing. Motorcycle News (MCN) highlighted iconic moments like his celebratory after winning the 1999 Superstock 1000 race at , an image that became synonymous with his exuberant style. Harris's legacy as an inspiration for young riders persists through his achievements, including three British Supersport titles and 12 BSB podium finishes, which cemented his status as a respected figure in domestic .

Career results

Championships and achievements

Karl Harris secured three British Supersport Championship titles during his career, winning in 2001 aboard a Crescent Suzuki and successfully defending the crown in 2003 and 2004 with Honda Racing. Earlier, he claimed the inaugural European Superstock 1000cc Championship in 1999 on a Suzuki GSX-R750, dominating the series with consistent top finishes. In the World Supersport Championship, Harris achieved a best race finish of 4th place during his partial 1999 campaign, before contesting a full season in 2000 where he ended 22nd overall. Harris's tenure from 2005 to 2014 yielded 12 podium finishes across 140 starts, with no race victories but a career-high 5th in the overall standings in 2006, highlighted by 6 podiums that season. At the Isle of Man TT, Harris recorded personal best lap speeds of 123.2 mph in the 2013 . Over his professional career spanning national and international series, Harris started more than 200 races, secured multiple pole positions including several front-row starts in BSB, and experienced numerous retirements due to mechanical issues or crashes, establishing him as one of the United Kingdom's most naturally talented riders in 600cc and 1000cc classes.

British Supersport Championship

Karl Harris competed in the British Supersport Championship from 2001 to 2004, securing three titles during this period. He rode for Crescent in 2001 before switching to Racing for the subsequent seasons.
YearPositionPointsWinsTeamNotes
20011st-MultipleCrescent Championship winner.
2002----Did not compete for title; focused on British Superbike instead.
20031st-Multiple RacingChampionship winner.
20041st2326 RacingChampionship winner; 2 DNFs from 13 races.

British Superbike Championship

Harris entered the in 2002 and returned full-time in 2005, achieving his best results in 2006 with . He experienced team changes, including a sacking from Hydrex in 2009 after underperformance, and later rode part-time for PR Kawasaki in 2012 before a full season in 2013.
YearPositionPointsPodiumsTeamNotes
200212th117-Team Crescent Full season debut.
20059th-2 (both 3rd) RacingBest results at Oulton Park.
20065th-6 RacingCareer-best BSB season.
200711th-- RacingConsistent mid-pack finishes.
200811th1021 (3rd)Yamaha (Hydrex)Multiple DNFs; switched bikes mid-season.
200914th--Hydrex Sacked mid-season after poor results.
2012---PR KawasakiPart-season replacement for Gary Mason.
201320th23-PR KawasakiFull season; several DNFs.

Other Series

Harris began his international career with a dominant European Superstock title in 1999 before a challenging partial season in World Supersport in 1999 and full season in 2000. He briefly returned to Superstock racing in 2010 with GR Motorsport on an , achieving some top-5 finishes before leaving after three races due to disappointment. No major Superstock participation occurred in 2011.
YearSeriesPositionPointsBest FinishTeamNotes
1999European Superstock 10001st-Multiple winsInaugural champion.
1999World Supersport--4th ()-Partial season.
2000World Supersport22nd229thTeam Metalsistem Endoug Full season with multiple retirements.
2010British Superstock 1000--Top-5GR Motorsport Left team after three races.

Isle of Man TT Participation (2012–2013)

Harris debuted at the in 2012 with SMT , showing promise with speeds over 118 mph despite limited experience. In 2013, he switched to PR Kawasaki, competing in more classes but recording DNFs in Superbike and due to mechanical issues. He avoided bans throughout his career but had several DNFs from crashes or bike failures, notably in 2008 at Oulton Park and various World Supersport rounds.
YearClassPositionTimeSpeed (mph)MachineNotes
2012Superbike TT21st1:54:28.91118.6461000 Debut race.
201228th1:16:06.38118.9811000 Competitive lap times.
2013Superbike TTDNF18:36.465-2012 Kawasaki ZX-10RMechanical failure.
2013Supersport TT Race 255th1:20:36.632112.3332013 Kawasaki ZX-6R-
201316th1:14:33.468121.4522012 Kawasaki ZX-10RImproved position.
2013DNF39:52.151-2012 Kawasaki ZX-10RBike issue on lap 2.

References

  1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2006/03/21/karl_harris_feature.shtml
  2. https://www.visordown.com/news/racing/road-racing/karl-harris-loses-life-during-superstock-tt
  3. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/former-british-supersport-champion-karl-harris-to-make-isle-of-man-tt-debut/
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-27798060
  5. http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=s&n=11405
  6. https://www.f1network.net/main/motorcycle-racing-online/s180/st186205/karl-harris-dies-in-a-crash-at-the-2014-isle-of-man-tt?print=1
  7. http://www.motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/riderprofiles/karl_harris_06.php
  8. https://grmotosport.co.uk/25-years-ago-great-moments-in-history/
  9. http://motorsporttop20.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/7.Superstock1000cc.pdf
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1HW05QJ4Ao
  11. https://www.f1network.net/main/motorcycle-racing-online/s180/st186205/karl-harris-dies-in-a-crash-at-the-2014-isle-of-man-tt
  12. https://www.worldsbk.com/en/rider/Karl+Harris/753
  13. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5624151.crockford-lands-a-lucrative-ride/
  14. http://motorsporttop20.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/6.-Supersport.pdf
  15. https://www.enkalon-bike.com/british-superbikes-round-5-knockhill.htm
  16. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/3375/1/harris-takes-second-consecutive-supersport-crown
  17. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/triumphs-jones-wins-british-supersport-race-at-donington-park-harris-wins-championship/
  18. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/harris-wins-british-supersport-race-at-rainy-brands-hatch/
  19. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/4441/1/harris-joins-kiyonari-at-hm-plant-honda
  20. https://motorsportstats.com/driver/karl-harris/summary/series/bennets-british-superbike-championship
  21. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/lavilla-wins-british-superbike-championship-at-brands-hatch/
  22. https://www.crash.net/bsb/results/4896/1/bsb-race-results-1-oulton-park
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  24. https://www.crash.net/bsb/results?page=19
  25. https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/british-superbikes/2008/july/jul1808-bsb-karl-harris-tops-free-practice-/
  26. https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/british-superbikes/2008/november/nov2608-bsb-harris-martin-hydrex-honda-/
  27. https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/british-superbikes/2010/february/feb1010-harris-gets-aprilia-superstock-ride-/
  28. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/171175/1/harris-secures-bsb-return-with-splitlath
  29. https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2011/12/bsb-season-review-2011-26-races-0-006-seconds/
  30. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/185533/1/karl-harris-commits-to-pr-kawasaki-for-2013
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  32. https://bikesportnews.com/tt-and-roads/karl-harris-has-died/
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  34. https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/news/Kawasaki_dominates_Brands_Hatch_opening_BSB_event?Uid=0405WlhZXFhbWFxZWVxQXFBdWlteXFE
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  37. https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/17432632
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  43. https://bikesportnews.com/british-superbikes/fund-set-up-to-help-karl-harris-young-children/
  44. https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=TT2013&race_seq=4
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  56. https://bikesportnews.com/british-superbikes/karl-harris-funeral-details/
  57. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/205504/1/raf-flypast-to-honour-andrews-and-harris-at-snetterton
  58. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/205209/1/motorcycle-world-pays-tribute-to-karl-harris
  59. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/sport/byrne-dedicates-win-to-fallen-18808/
  60. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Xas7bUSJU
  61. https://www.britishsuperbike.com/news/2024/may/19/tracker-kawasaki-british-superteen-harris-storms-to-emotional-victory
  62. https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/27694501
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  66. https://roadracingnews.co.uk/karl-harris-adapting-well-to-road-racing/
  67. https://www.devittinsurance.com/guides/80-years-of-devitt/british-riders/
  68. https://motorsportstats.com/driver/karl-harris/stats/series/bennets-british-superbike-championship/frontRows
  69. https://motorsportwinners.com/current/british-supersport-championship/
  70. https://www.crash.net/bsb/news/2740/1/harris-re-signs-with-honda-for-2004
  71. https://bikesportnews.com/british-superbikes/karl-harris-sacked-by-hydrex-honda/
  72. https://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s180/st75141.htm
  73. https://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2006/06/19/karl_harris_race_diary.shtml
  74. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/harris-leads-leads-british-superbike-practice-friday-at-oulton-park/
  75. https://www.visordown.com/news/racing/general/bsb-karl-harris-massive-oulton-park-crash
  76. https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=TT2012&race_seq=4
  77. https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=TT2013&race_seq=2
  78. https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=TT2013&race_seq=7
  79. https://www.iomtt.com/tt-database/events/races?meet_code=TT2013&race_seq=9
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