Karl Harris - Questions and Answers

• Date of birth - 21.10.79
• Place of birth - North Ferriby, East Yorkshire
• Home town - Sheffield
• Marital status - Girlfriend - Jane
• Height - 170cm
• Weight - 76 kg
• Hair colour - Blonde
• Eye colour - Blue
• Hobbies - Cycling, boxing, motocross and golf
• Own car - Honda Accord
• Own motorcycles - Honda CRF450 and XR50
• First road race - 1996, Donington Park
• First win - 1996, Knockhill
• Favourite circuits - Assen and Brands Hatch
• Best moment - Finishing 4th in World Supersport race in 1999
• Ambition - MotoGP World Champion
• Likes - Spending time with pet dogs Rossi and Bella
• Dislikes - Cleaning up after my dogs
• Favourite all-time riders - Barry Sheene, Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi
• Most respected rivals - Michael Laverty and Pere Riba
• Helmet - Shark (Rich-Art Concepts paint)
• Leathers - Texport
• Boots - Sidi
• Gloves - Texport
• 2003 - 1st British Supersport Championship
• 2002 - 12th British Superbike Championship
• 2001 - 1st British Supersport Championship
• 2000 - 17th World Supersport Championship
• 1999 - 1st European Superstock Championship, 4th in the Hockenheim World Supersport Championship round, MCN Young Rider of the Year
• 1998 - 10th British Supersport Championship
• 1997 - 3rd British Superteen Championship

Q. As the reigning British Supersport Champion, do you feel under pressure to win the title again?

A. No, not really. My job is to be out there winning races and winning championships but I don't pressure myself about it because that would make it much more difficult. If I'm not concentrating on the racing alone then I won't win races.

Q. Why did you decide to stay in the Supersport class for another season?

A. Honda Racing asked me if I wanted to ride in the Superbike class or stay in Supersport and test ride the Superbike. I decided to stay in Supersport and test ride because it's a completely new bike. When I enter the Superbike class I'll be ready for it and I'll already have experience on the bike.

Q. Do you think that you will be able to use your experience as a Supersport rider to help Red Bull Rookies Honda Racing rider Jonathan Rea in his debut season?

A. Yes, I'll help him as much as I can. I'm one of those riders who can't actually tell you how to ride a bike, it's just something I do, but I will try to help Jonathan as much as possible.

Q. As the only remaining rider from last year's team, what is your opinion of the new Honda Racing team structure?

A. I think the new Red Bull Rookies Honda Racing team is a good idea. It gives the young kids a chance, which a lot of people in this country don't get. It's a really good opportunity and a great chance to progress in the sport.

Q. Are you excited about the challenge of working with new team-mates?

A. Yes, it's great to have new people on the team, especially Ryuichi Kyonari. It will be interesting to see the difference in dealing with a Japanese rider. I won't get to work that closely with the other riders though because we ride in different classes.

A. Just to win the championship again, that's what I'm out there to do.

Q. Who do you see as your main rivals in 2004 and why?

A. Michael Laverty and Spanish rider Pere Riba because they're fast and if they have good teams and bikes behind them they will definitely be a threat but we'll wait and see what happens. My bike is the best one out there, so may the best man win.

Q. Are you more confident this year because you have experience of the team and the CBR600RR?

A. Yes, I've got Tommy [Tom Larsen] and Woody [Chris Wood] back with me this year - two really good mechanics. We're a good team and already have a strong working relationship so that makes me confident that we will do well.

Q. What is your ultimate ambition and how do you think that Honda Racing will help you to achieve it?

A. My ultimate ambition is to ride in MotoGP and obviously Honda is the best company out there to be with. Hopefully we'll build as a team, develop a good relationship and move through the racing classes. I want to be MotoGP number one and you never know what could happen, so it's worth a try.

Q. You had high expectations of Honda Racing when you joined in 2002. Have those expectations been met or have they changed in any way?

A. My expectations have definitely been met. The team is completely professional - the management do what they say they will and they don't mess you about. I hope that I will work closely with Honda Racing as a team for the rest of my career.