Oulton Park British Superbikes: Karl Harris: “I just want to enjoy myself”

Karl Harris has said his only aim for this weekend at Oulton Park is to go out and enjoy riding after dismal luck has tarnished his season.

The two-time British Supersport Champion had high hopes for a competitive season in 2008 with the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha team, but a mixture of crashes, injuries and rotten luck have destroyed any chance he had of challenging for the title.

Harris currently sits fourteenth in the championship with just four points-scoring finishes out of twelve races, but the Sheffield rider took the top spot in both Superbike sessions today on the opening day of round seven of the championship.

Following his double session topping performance Harris told MCN: “All I want to do is go out there and enjoy myself.

“We’ve not changed anything with the bike; it’s more about a confidence thing with me.

“The second race at Mallory Park helped my confidence a lot and I want to carry that on to this weekend.”

On the last visit to Oulton Park for the third round of the championship Harris crashed out twice whilst still suffering from a broken foot that he sustained at Thruxton.

But now completely healed the 28-year old said it was a lot easier to go fast at this, one of his favourite circuits, now that he’s fully fit.

“It’s a lot easier when you’re not carrying an injury,” added Harris.

“Last time I couldn’t put any pressure through my foot and I could hit apexes or make the chicanes.

“I haven’t got any of those problems this weekend, and I just want to keep my head down and enjoy riding the bike.

“The weather doesn’t look that good but what can you do?

“The only round where we haven’t had rain over the weekend was the Brands Hatch re-run and I wasn’t there because of my injury so I’m used to it now.”

Harris set the fastest time today with a 1.36.716.