Championship Glory for Harris and Honda Racing

25 August 2003

Karl Harris was crowned 2003 British Supersport Champion after winning the tenth round of the series in typically dominant fashion before a huge Bank Holiday Monday crowd of 36,500 fans. The Honda Racing star had qualified in pole position on his CBR600RR and took the holeshot at the start of the 16-lap race at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.
 
The only blip on Harris’s performance was losing the lead to Simon Andrews on lap two at Park Corner. However, after composing himself the 23-year-old Yorkshireman took the lead again at the same corner three laps later and never looked back.
 
Lap after lap Harris piled the pressure on his challengers by consistently putting in the fastest lap of the race, which ultimately rewarded him with the lap record. His nearest challenger Stuart Easton could only finish fourth which left Honda Racing’s number one with an unbeatable 57-point advantage to take to the last two rounds of the championship.
 
Honda Racing is based at near Cadwell Park in Louth, so it was fitting that the British title was clinched on home tarmac. The chequered flag heralded a huge celebration with Honda Racing’s fans cheering Harris over the line.
 
The new British Supersport Champion responded in kind with a sensational series of wheelies, stoppies and burn-outs. Upon his arrival back in the pitlane, his victorious team greeted him with a new limited edition T-shirt proclaiming his title win.
 
Karl Harris: “Naturally, I’m over the moon to have won the British Supersport Championship for the second time in three years. To do it here at Honda Racing’s local track in front of so many appreciative fans is awesome for all the team. I’d like to thank Honda Racing for the superb set-up that they’ve given me for the CBR600RR all season.
 
“I was actually panicking a bit during the race. When I first took the lead I wasn’t able to pull away, but then I managed to string some fast laps together and establish a winning advantage. However, it was the longest race of my careerand Icouldn't wait to see the chequered flag.
 
“We’ve had a fantastic year, which is why I’ve decided to commit myself so early to the team again for next season. Hopefully we’ll be able to pull off another championship success in 2004. I don’t see any reason why not, because the CBR600RR is a fantastic package, which makes my job so much easier.”

See series calendar for British Supersbike Championship