Harris replaces Foret for Brands Hatch

From Yamaha Racing

Three-time British Supersport champion Karl Harris has signed up to the Yamaha World Supersport Team for the British round of the 2008 World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch on Aug. 2. With proven previous Supersport experience and currently riding for the Rob Mac Yamaha British Superbike team, he was a natural choice for the ride.

Harris steps in to replace rider Fabien Foret after the Frenchman suffered a serious crash in qualifying at the Brno round of the championship. Foret cracked the C6 and C7 vertebra in his neck after falling heavily at the Czech circuit. He is expected to make a full recovery but will not be riding for approximately three months.

Harris will partner Australian rider Broc Parkes, currently third in the championship standings on 100 points.

The British rider is no stranger to Supersport, coming fourth in the Hockenheim round of the World Championship in 1999. He won the British Supersport Championship in 2004, 2003 and 2001. In 1999 Harris won the European Superstock Championship.

"I’m over the moon for the opportunity," Harris said. "It’s been an up and down year so it’s brought my spirits back up again. I’m really looking forward to joining the Yamaha World Supersport Team for Brands Hatch. It’s great to be riding Supersport again, especially as I’ve had some success with three previous British Supersport Championship wins."