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DEAN TO RACE CLASSIC MV AGUSTAS IN IOM CLASSIC TT www.iomttphotos.co.uk
DEAN HARRISON STOPS THE MACAU GRAND PRIX
As I mentioned in last month’s report Dean was winging his
way to Macau for the famous Grand Prix. The former Dutch colony hosts an annual
road race around a very tight twisty street circuit. It is the only race meeting
in the world which combines both bikes and cars. Dean did a superb job in
qualifying, The first time he has been to the circuit having missed one session he managed to
qualify 15th for the race. Probably the most remarkable aspect of
his ride began with an incident on the first lap between Horst Saiger, David
Johnson and Marc Fissette at Lisboa. The resulting melee forced Dean down the
escape road to avoid a more personal acquaintance with the three unfortunate
riders. Dean quickly turned the bike round and re-joined at the back of the
pack. Putting in some blistering laps he managed to claw his way back up the
leader board. After fighting his way through to twelfth pace and on lap twelve
the bike high sided Dean. The crash brought out the red flag due to the
position of the stricken machine. Dean walked away from the crash with a bruised
ego and a sore elbow. The resulting crash gave Dean 12th place
overall. A fine ride from Bingley’s Ian Hutchinson saw him win the race in 26m
56 ahead of Michael Rutter by two seconds. It was a remarkable comeback from
Ian after nearly losing a leg because of injuries sustained in the British
Superbike championship.
Dean has signed for Mistral Racing who are one of the first
teams to announce their return to the Classic TT with Jamie Coward. The duo
will line up on a pair of Kawasaki ZXR750s for the four-lap Motorsport
Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT and are sure to go into the event as
contenders for the race win. Speaking about the deal, Dean said: “I really
wanted to have a good go at the Formula 1 Race at the Classic TT on a
competitive bike and I am really pleased to have had this offer from Mistral
Racing which fits the bill perfectly. The guys did a great job with the bikes
last year, and they are planning a lot of improvements for 2014, so we will be
going to the event looking to win.”
SEASON NOT ENDED DEAN HARRISON GOES TO MACAU
Last month’s headline was about the end of the road racing
season for Dean and the MSS Performance Kawasaki. A week after going to
publication I met Dean while I was out on a walk around the village. He was having
a rare day off from the work of motorcycle racer. He told me that it was his
last Saturday off for at least 2 months as he had several races in the pipeline
The first was The Stars of Darley at Darley Moor circuit which is a precursor
to the last British Superbike race of the season at Brands Hatch which Dean had
a wildcard entry. After Brands Hatch it was testing at Donnington Park on a new
750 Kawasaki. One of the great road racing circuits in the world is the one
around the city of Macau. It has been host to legends of both car racing and
bike racing. The Macau Grand Prix is the only street circuit that hosts both
car racing and bikes on the same track. Called the Monaco of the east it is a
former Portuguese colony which is now a Special Administrative Regions of the
People's Republic of China enjoying a great deal of autonomy from the Chinese
mainland in a similar fashion to Hong Kong. Famous past winners of the race
include Kevin Schwantz, Carl Fogarty, Ron Haslam and Michael Rutter. Dean will
be flying out in Late October for his debut in the race.
News just in, care of the Mar-train website:- HARRISON JOINS
MAR-TRAIN RACING FOR 2014 INTERNATIONAL ROAD RACING CAMPAIGN
2013 British Supersport champions Mar-Train Racing are
pleased to announce their first signing for the 2014 season in up-and-coming
International Road Racing talent Dean Harrison.
Team owner Tim Martin has long been a supporter of the three
‘Big International Road Races’ and 24-year-old Harrison will ride the team’s R6
Yamaha at all three: North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix.
Harrison recorded a tremendous victory at this year’s
Southern 100 aboard an R6 Yamaha in one of the Supersport races, and his
seventh place at the TT in the second middleweight encounter sets him up well
for a shot at a debut TT Supersport podium with Mar-Train in 2014. Harrison was
at Brands Hatch on Sunday to secure his deal and also watch Mar-Train Racing
lift this year’s British Supersport title with Stuart Easton. The affable
Lincolnshire man said of his new deal: “Yeah it’s unreal to have tied up a
contract with Tim and Sonya and the Mar-Train team for 2014.”
Harrison added: “We had a good year on a 600 Yamaha this
season, but hopefully we can do a better job on what is definitely a stronger package
with the Mar-Train bike. I’ve always wanted to stick with the same bikes that I
was on, so the Mar-Train deal is perfect for me as they have so much more data
and experience. Yeah hopefully we can have a good season.”
Harrison will also take in the Southern 100 and Scarborough
meetings with Mar-Train with some additional ad-hoc appearances to be
discussed, and as soon as next week, the Northern Ireland team will be
announcing his team-mate for 2014.
Team owner Tim Martin said of his acquisition: “The plan for
2014 was to spread our wings a little and get involved in the International
Road Racing scene. We have dabbled before but with Dean on-board and another
rider secured – who we will be announcing next week – I believe we can
challenge at the sharp end next season on the roads with two very exciting and
talented riders. It’s all about exposure and return for our sponsors, both old
and new, and the road races that we have chosen will play an important
supporting role to our 2014 British Supersport campaign as defending
champions.” http://www.martrain-racing.co.uk/
COCK OF THE NORTH
The Harrison clan have been off hunting new silverware for
their ever expanding cabinet. First off to the Southern 100 road races in the
Isle of Man. They are held in the southern part of the island near Castletown
on the 4.25 mile Billown circuit which like the TT course winds its way through
the Manx countryside. This year the riders enjoyed almost perfect weather
conditions over the four days of practice and racing. Dean faced a strong line
up in the solo races with Michael Dunlop and Guy Martin his chief rivals.
Conrad also faced stiff competition from Tim reeves and Dan Sayle and the
Birchall brothers Ben and Tom. Adrian was also taking part on his ER650 Kawsaki
in the 650 twin category. The first race
of the week saw Dean finish second behind Michael Dunlop on the 1000cc
machines. In the senior race a well-deserved third place and breaking the lap
record of 113.461 mph. In the first 650
one second divided the two top runners with Dean losing out to Jamie Hamilton
in a nail biting finish. Adrian was also taking part and finished a creditable
thirteenth on his debut at the circuit. The 600 Supersport race, Dean pipped Guy Martin to the flag by .57 of
a second on his Ian Bell R6 Yamaha setting a new race record of 108.124 mph
with Dunlop and Hamilton a distant third and fourth. The second 650 race dean
again won by the narrowest of margins beating Ivan Lintin again by just half a
second. Adrian was by now finding his way around the circuit and finished a
cracking eighth place to earn himself the title of best newcomer. The main
event of the week is the Manx Gas Solo Championship Race, Guy Martin taking the
honours from the in form Michael Dunlop by less than a second with Dean a
following on to take third behind the factory riders. Conrad had a good week
finishing fourth in the first race and fifth in the second. The meeting was
tinged with the sad loss of Mark Madsen-Mygdal and David Jukes who both died
participating in this event.
The weekend of 20th and 21st of July
was the venue of the annual Cock of The North road races at the Olivers
Mount in Scarborough. Organised by
the Auto 66 club. To give a clue to the
nature of the Olivers Mount circuit imagine going through the top end of
Westfield Lane at one hundred and ten miles per hour. The temperature had
cooled on race day from the searing heat of the previous week but the sun came
out for Dean in the first race beating Jamie Hamilton in the 1000cc and 600cc
all comer’s class after the race was red flagged after four laps. In the F2
Sidecar race Conrad and Lee Patterson who are usually quick at Olivers Mount
were beaten into second place by Ian and Carl Bell by a margin of 10 seconds.
The second leg of the Supersport saw a race long duel between Dean, Jamie
Hamilton and Ivan Lintin A dominant performance from Dean as he won by eight
seconds. In the second leg of the 650 class Dean was pipped to the post by Ivan
Lintin by 1.9 seconds. Adrian finishing
ninth in both races had a good afternoon’s work. Conrad and Lee Patterson
finished the meeting with thee second places behind Ian and Carl Bell. The
feature “Cock of the North” race was dominated by Dean beating Jamie Hamilton
by a massive eight seconds. All in all a fantastic weekend for the Harrison
family.
Next up is the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod County Antrim on
the 17th of August. Dean is being considered as a dark horse in this
race as he takes on the factory riders Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, William
Dunlop, Connor Cumming, and Cam Donald on the ferociously fast Dundrod circuit
at which he was the fastest ever newcomer last season on a slower bike.
Meet the Harrisons 2 (The Haul of Silver)
Last month we were on the cusp of publication as the famous
Isle of Man TT races had reached Monday
and Tuesday. So a full report of the event could not be completed until
this month. The Isle of Man the jewel of the Irish sea, prized by Vikings as
central raiding location, the world’s oldest parliament and home to the
mystical fairies of this beautiful emerald Isle. In modern times it is a
battleground, a test of man and machine unrivalled in the world of motorcycle
racing. The thirty seven mile mountain circuit is the toughest in the world
where a man can go from hero to zero in a splt second. Evocative names of the
corners and landmarks are known worldwide. Bray hill, Union mills, cron y
voddy, Kirk Michael, Ballough bridge, Sulby straight ,ramsey Hairpin, The
Goosneck, The Veranda, Windy Corner, Kate’s cottage, Creg ny Baa, Hillbury,
Governors Bridge and The Glencrutchery Road.
Riders from all over the world converge on the island for two weeks in
the spring to take the ultimate test. Some are there to win, some, to do better
than last year and some are there just because it is there and has to be ridden
to satisfy their need for danger, speed and to proudly announce “I’ve done the
TT”. The good ones will be rewarded with a Replica. some will go home with only
the chest puffed out with pride and only fifty weeks before they do it all
again. Conrad kicked the week of with a magnificent second in the F2 sidecar
event with partner Mike Aylott beating the pairing of Dave Molyneux/Patrick
Farrance by the closest of margins. Dean went into the Superbike race on his
MSS Kawasaki finishing a very respectable eleventh and completing his fastest
personal lap of the mountain circuit. On the Monday as we went to press Dean had
fantastic eighth place on his Ian Bell Yamaha R6 and mixing it with the misters
in the Superstock race finishing a superb fourth place.
In the second sidecar race Conrad and Mike had a cracking
first lap finishing in fourth place. The retirement of Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle
on the second lap moved Conrad up to second but beyond the reach of The
Birchall boys Tom and Ben and the Manx pair Dave Molyneux/Patrick Farrance. The
result was a second podium for Conrad and Mike with a solid third place.
The Monster Energy Supersport 2 race featured Dean on his
Ian Bell R6 Yamaha. On the first lap he quickly moved up to sixth position
ahead of the likes of Cam Donald and Gary Johnson on the beautifully sounding
MV Augusta. Dropping back to eighth on the second lap during the pit stops and
finally finishing a spectacular seventh with an average speed fot the race of
123.086 mph.
Friday saw the last day of racing with the Bikesocial.co.uk
Lightweight and the Pokerstars Senior race. Both Dean and Aidrian were taking
part in the Lightweight race for 650 twin cylinder machines, usually based on
either the ER6 Kawsasaki or the Suzuki SV 650. Dean was on his Stuart Smith
Racing ER6 Kawasaki and Adrian on his PRS Racing Kawasaki. In the race dean got
off to a flying start and by the end of the first lap was in a commanding
second place. Dropping to third on lap two due to the pit stops. By the third
and final lap the times had adjusted and Dean finished a brilliant second
place. His first, Isle of Man TT podium. His average speed for the race was 116.565
mph. Adrian competing in his first TT fought his way to eighteenth place in the
first two laps only to drop back to finish nineteenth out of thirty seven
finishers. An outstanding start, to his TT career, for which he won a bronze
replica.
The Pokerstars Senior race was postponed due to an incident
at the bottom of Bray Hill where several spectators had been injured. Dean got
off to a good start moving up to tenth place at the end of the first lap with
at an incredible average lap speed of 128.488 mph, by lap three he had moved up
to ninth place and by the final lap he finished in a very respectable eighth
place at an average speed of 124.565 mph.
In the Joey Dunlop TT Championship trophy Dean finished in
sixth place with forty three points ahead of Cam Donald, Guy Martin and Michael
Rutter. Conrad finished joint second in the Sidecar championship with Dave
Molyneux both on 36 points.
The total haul of silver replicas this is the trophy which
is as the name suggests a replica of The Mercury (Messenger of the Gods)Trophy for the senior TT for the Harrison clan over
the race week came to my reckoning eight. I think they may have outgrown a
trophy cabinet and now need a room. Over the two weeks I’ve watched the
Harrisons on ITV, listened when possible on Manx Radio and followed lap by lap
on the IOM TT website. I’ve had a report from engineer Roy Clark who was there
in person. Conrad had a very good TT and is now classed as one of the top men
at the event and always in contention. Dean by both my own observations on the
TV and Roy’s at the circuit is a super smooth rider who never looked out of
shape and rode well within his limits on this demanding course. A fantastic
result overall and I tip my hat to him. He’s not quite King of the Mountain yet
but certainly a prince.
Meet the Harrison’s
Over the last few months we have been reporting on the
exploits of young Dean Harrison. In the May edition we reported he was off to
Ireland to take part in the North West 200 road race. Big things were expected
of Dean at these prestigious races. He managed to finish in the opening
Supersport race on his Ian Bell R6 Yamaha. Unfortunately bad weather forced the
cancellation of the rest of the meeting. The big race of the year is the Isle
of Man TT races which are being run as we go to press. The Harrison family are
doing something unique for the TT races. Dean’s dad, Conrad is competing with Mike
Aylott in the Formula 2 Side car and Dean’s brother Adrian is taking part in
the Lightweight TT on an ER6 Kawsasaki.
Dean is competing in the Superbike race on the MSS Kawasaki Superstock
on a ZX10 Kawasaki Supersport on his Ian Bell R6. This is the first time a
father and his two sons have competed in these races. ITV 4 are covering the
practice week and race week and have done a feature on the family. Even Sam is
getting in on the act by accompanying her husband on the chair for a parade
lap. The only one not mentioned was Conrad’s dad Mick who competed in the TT
during the 70’s on a BSA outfit and is currently helping Dean with his
preparation. The bad weather seem to have followed the road race circus from
the North West, Practice week has been a wash out and many of the competitors have been lacking
track time. Which is critical at this meeting. The first fully dry practice was
the Friday night. In light of this the organisers dedicated the Saturday for
the Sidecar event and moved the Superbike race to Mad Sunday.
The Harrison’s got off to a cracking start in the Sure
sidecar TT. The men to beat were pairings of Dave Molyneux/Patrick Farrance, Tim
Reeves and Dan Sayle and the Birchall brothers Ben and Tom. Ben and Tom
Birchall made the early running taking the lead on the opening lap of 1.5
seconds ahead of Reeves and Sayle, who managed to overtake Molyneux/ Farrance
on the road. Ben and Tom started to get a bit impatient and ended up clipping a
kerb at Kate’s Cottage, causing a puncture they retired at Creg ny Baa. All the
while Conrad had his head down and was catching Dave Molyneux/Patrick Farrance.
Moleneux finished on the road just behind Reeves and Sayle. Conrad and Aylott
were making good time over the mountain and it was all set for a Grandstand
finish. The pair hurtled down the Glencrutchery Road to beat Molyneux/ Farrance
for a podium second place by the smallest of margins, .5 of a second.
The Superbike race was Dean’s first race of the week.
Starting at number 14 he quickly moved up two places by the end of the first
lap, by the end of lap two Dean had moved up into eleventh place. Joshua Brooks
on the Tyco Suzuki overhauled Dean who had moved up to tenth on the sixth lap
relegating the Idle man back to eleventh place. Although eleventh only equalled
his position last year he did his fastest ever lap of the 37 mile TT course. At
an average speed of 126.314mph.
Monday the third of June saw Dean take part in two races the
Supersport Race 1 on his Ian Bell R6 Yamaha and the Superstock on the ZX10
Kawasaki. Dean had a fantastic day finishing a very respectable eighth place at
an average speed of 122.716 mph. In the Superstock race Dean was mixing it with
the big names in road racing. He finished fourth behind John McGuinness with an
average speed of 126.221mph. Lap by lap details are unavailable at the time of
going to press. Full details to follow next month.
Local man Dean Harrison riding for Team RC Express Racing kicked
off his Road Race campaign on the 20th of April at the Ian Watson
Spring National Road Races meeting at Oliver’s Mount Scarborough the opening
round of twenty-five this year. Dean's four second places, a fourth and a
fastest lap gave him 149 points, rewarding him with number one position in the
Rankings table. On the 27th of April Dean travelled to Northern
Ireland to compete in the prestigious Cookstown 100 where he was entered in the
super stock 600 and the superbike races. Finishing in the top six on the
superbikes and a podium place in the Superstock 600 race behind Guy Martin and
Michael Dunlop. Next up will be the
North West 200 between the 12th and 18th of May. The
course is a street circuit, made up of public roads running between the towns
of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush (the Triangle) is one of the fastest in
the world, with speeds in excess of 200 mph. You can catch Dean on the Team RC Express
Racing facebook page. He is wanting 1000
LIKES by the time they reach Portrush for the North West
At the end of the month Dean will be off to the famous Isle
of Man TT races.
I've been racing karts since I was 12.
I’ve since moved up a class to Senior Max and
I'm halfway through my first year and so far it's going well I stand 10th
in the championship and looking forward to some more trophy's in 2013! 
Karting is a very expensive hobby and so I
rely on sponsors to help me fund my racing. I’m always looking for more
sponsors and offer great advertising packages. 
