IT has been a year of change for Bradford motorcycling ace Dean Harrison, but he’s steered it well on his Honda CBR600RR.
Harrison started the year in the Superbike class as a third Honda rider in the top tier of the BSB series but switched to make his 2024 debut in Supersport at the Thruxton BSB in August.
He navigated the rest of the season in the Supersport class and all in all, there were positive signs for the Bradford speedster.
Harrison finished the racing calendar with yet another top-six finish, as he raced hard to end the year strongly at Brands Hatch last weekend.
Reflecting on the season’s finale, the Bradford speedster said: “I went faster around Brands Hatch on a 600 than I have ever done before. I also got my first pole position and finished the season with another top six, so there are loads of positives to take away from the weekend.
“I think, on Sunday, we were just lacking the dry time needed to keep running with the front guys. In the race I began to realise that with the setting, I needed things to be a little different.
“But look, the front guys are running at lap record pace almost every round and you have got to be absolutely perfect to be up there with them.
“Congratulations to Jack (Kennedy/Honda racer) on his championship and to everyone in the team for all of their hard work all year; they have not stopped for a moment and have grafted from the off.”
Reflecting on the season as a whole, Harrison said: “I’ve enjoyed it and certainly seen improvements along the way as I’ve got more and more comfortable with my new bike at Honda.
“I can be pleased with my final podium finish and the number of top six finishes I’ve had. It gives me a great platform to build on next year with this great team.”
The move from BSB series to the Supersport series is not the only change the Bradfordian has had to go through this year.
Harrison also faced change when he made the decision to move away from his native Bradford to relocate in the Isle of Man before the start of the new season.
And it’s a move that the Bradfordian has taking in his stride.
He 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 is 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 you have the bonus of these lovely views and the beaches surrounding the area, which is very different to what I've been used to."
The British Superbike series returns in April next year which is when Harrison will be in action again.
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