DEAN Harrison enjoyed himself on home soil last week at the Southern 100, and admits he is loving life after swapping Bradford for the Isle of Man, describing the two places as "chalk and cheese".

The 35-year-old moved over there a few months ago, meaning he did not have far to go to compete in the Southern 100, with the Billown Circuit playing host to four days of quality road racing.

Taking a risk on his experimental Honda, Harrison bagged third place at the two marquee events of the week, the Solo Championship and the Senior Race.

He delightedly told the T&A: "I'm over the moon with my results over there to be honest.

"I was riding my own Superstock bike, so I did it off my own back a little bit.

"The weather wasn't perfect at the start, but it ended really well and I enjoyed the whole week."

It was not exactly a change of scene for Harrison, who now lives with his family on the island in the town of Laxey.

Discussing the big move from his native Bradford, Harrison said: "It's just a different way of life over here, it's chalk and cheese.

"Living in Bradford, the crime feels out of control at times, whereas I live in a house on the hillside in the Isle of Man, overlooking the bay.

"There no car crime or bike theft and it's just so chilled out here.

"It wasn't about moving here because it's where a lot of the big road races are held, making a better life for my family was the whole thought behind it."

And Harrison's family were out in force supporting him at the Isle of Man last week, including his Isle of Man TT-winning father Conrad.

Dean Harrison was back on the podium again at the Isle of Man this year, a decade after winning there alongside his dad.Dean Harrison was back on the podium again at the Isle of Man this year, a decade after winning there alongside his dad. (Image: Chris Hartley (chrissipix).)

Harrison's brother Adrian was also there, competing in the lower-grade Supersport B race and managing a superb second place.

It meant the Southern 100 was a special occasion for new Isle of Man resident Harrison, who said: "It was good to get everyone over there.

"It was a good week all round really, because there was some really good racing and thousands of people in attendance.

"Especially with what happened last year (the Southern 100 was abandoned before any racing took place following a fatal crash at the circuit in practice), to get another year under the belt, pretty much incident and injury-free, it ended up working out really well."

Two of road racing's biggest superstars, Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, finished ahead of Harrison in both the Solo Championship and Senior Race, with the pair often just having the edge over their Bradford rival in the sport's marquee events.

Asked what he could do to get one over them, Harrison said: "I think I'm lacking a little bit on the bike set up.

"There are probably just a few little technical things I can do to try and beat the pair of them and it's just something we can keep chipping away with as a team."

Dunlop has already publicly stated that he will not be competing in the prestigious Armoy Road Races in Northern Ireland next Friday and Saturday, and while Harrison hopes to be there, his appearance there is not set in stone yet.

For now, his focus turns to the latest round of Bennetts British Superbike Championship, which takes place at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Harrison currently sits 22nd in the overall standings.