Harris powered the Honda-Racing.co.uk Fireblade around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit in a time of 0:46.115. This impressive lap was only 0.3 seconds behind the pole position time set by Leon Haslam and fractionally inside defending British Superbike Champion John Reynolds lap record. This is indicative of the competitive nature of the 2005 Superbike class.



However, the Sheffield star is approaching his Honda-Racing.co.uk Superbike debut in typically determined fashion. His pre-season test schedule on the CBR1000RR Fireblade has prepared him for what is sure to be a challenging season against the established Superbike hierarchy.



Karl Harris: "I'm a bit frustrated with how things turned out for me in final qualifying. I was determined to challenge for a front row position but it wasn't to be. I was up there until the closing stages but we ended up running out of time. It's so important to get a good start here on the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch and so I'll have to get off the line quickly from the inside of the second row. The Honda-Racing.co.uk CBR1000RR Fireblade is working well and I'm hoping to be in the mix for a podium place tomorrow."


Qualifying: 1. L Haslam (Ducati) 45.784; 2. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) 45.827; 3. S. Smart (Suzuki) 45.939; 4. S. Emmett (Yamaha) 46.010; 5. G. Lavilla (Ducati) 46.055; 6. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) 46.061; 7. G. Richards (Kawasaki) 46.064; 8. K. Harris (Honda-Racing.co.uk) 46.115; 9. J. McWilliams (Honda) 46.286; 10. G. Mason (Honda) 46.328