Karl Harris and Guy Martin in at Hydrex Honda

Karl Harris has been named as one of the provisional two-man Hydrex Honda BSB team for 2009.

Harris makes the move back to the same team he rode for in 2007 filling in the vacant spot left by James Ellison at the end of 2008.

Harris will use Ellison’s side of the garage headed by Mick Shanley and will use the heavily developed Pi Pectel electronics used throughout 2008.

Hydrex Honda Team Owner Shaun Muir told MCN exclusively: “I knew Karl would be fast with a single tyre rule.

“He’s one of the biggest talents in the paddock but he had a difficult season last year and lost a lot of his focus.

“He knows this is his last chance saloon and we’ve already set him up with a new personal trainer and he’s already working hard to lose a few pounds.

“I think he’ll be on the podium straight away at the first three rounds of the season.”

Guy Martin has also been signed up by Muir for his second year with Hydrex Honda.

His future with the team was cast into doubt in September when he announced on his own website that he’d be riding for Rob McElnea in 2009.

Martin said on his website two months ago:

Next year is all sorted; I’m on Yamaha with Rob McElnea.  There is the new R1 coming out and it’s got a pink frame, so with pink being the new black and me getting some proper trick pink pedals on my downhill bike there was no choice, I had to be on a Yam.
When it comes to preparation there is no better Yamaha team to be with than Rob’s.  They’ve been building trick bikes since the beginning of time, so I’m 100% sure this is my key to success at TT.  Also, there will be no better bloke to get me sorted for success on the short circuits.  Rob’s been there done it and all that.

But Martin will instead compete at all the major road races in 2009 for Hydrex Honda, as well as a small number of British Supersport races with the team.

Muir is still targeting Stuart Easton as the number two rider but faces tough competition from Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha for the Macau winner’s signature.