BSB: Dean Harrison to leave DAO Racing Kawasaki at the end of 2023

Dean Harrison and DAO Racing Kawasaki will part ways at the end of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship and road racing season.

The partnership has been a successful one on the roads since Harrison joined the team, then known as Silicone Engineering Racing, in 2016. Harrison racked up three Isle of Man TT podiums that year, as well victories at Oliver’s Mount.

In total, Harrison has claimed 12 TT podiums with the team, with the highlight being his Senior TT victory in 2019. Together, Harrison and DAO Racing have also celebrated two Classic TT victories, podiums at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, and victories at the Southern 100.

“Genuinely this is a sad choice to make, that didn’t come easy,” Harrison said. “You get close to your team, care about everyone and don’t want to upset anyone. I don’t call racing a career, I see it as a journey. You go from place to place, you have your ups and your downs, and I’m almost 35 now.

“DAO Racing is one of the best teams in the paddock and in some ways, I’d be silly to leave it.
I’ve been on the Kawasaki for eight years now and what Clarissa and Sommai have done for me I’m so grateful for and the opportunities I’ve had. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of these last 8 years.”

Whilst Harrison was unable to challenge Peter Hickman on the Isle of Man in 2022 and 2023, he’s been a regular points scorer in BSB, picking up a best result of 10^th so far this season onboard the Kawasaki ZX-10RR. Currently, Harrison sits 17th in the standings.

“Dean’s contract was due to end at the end of 2023 as part of his two-year contract. During negotiations, we haven’t been able to agree on a suitable deal,” Team Manager, Jonny Bagnall said. “Therefore, we came to this mutual decision on both parties.

“It has been a fantastic eight years with Dean, we’ve grown together, won together and now it has obviously come to the time for us to go our different ways. We wish him all the best for the future.”

It’s not yet known where Harrison will be in 2024, however it’s likely that there will be plenty of interest given his road racing exploits in recent years.