BSB: Harris to miss Brands this weekend

The injuries sustained during the high speed collision with Tom Sykes' machine looked to be on the mend at Oulton Park. During the wet sessions, Karl was running at a promising pace around his favourite circuit on the calendar.

However, the high level of competition brought home the realisation for Karl that his injuries were hindering on track progress at an accelerated pace in the dry conditions.

As a result of crashing out of both races, Karl re-aggravated the injuries putting back the healing process ‘Bomber' had hoped to take his position on the front row of the grid in P3, his debut front row start for Rob Mac Racing, when qualifying took place back at the start of April. Karl will now use the three week break until Donington Park over the May Bank Holiday (24-26) to rest and recuperate to ensure that he is back to full fitness in time to kick-start his season.

Harris said: "The injuries didn't feel that bad to be honest at the weekend, riding in the wet was OK but I started to feel the pace in the dry. I have spoken with Toby and he has advised me that it would be a wise move to sit out Brands in order to regain full fitness for Donington at the end of the month.

Obviously I'm really frustrated. We've had nothing but bad luck so far this season. The team has been brilliant and deserves much more than our lack of results show."

Team boss Rob McElnea added: "Karl's run of luck has continued to a point where he is forced to miss this weekends re scheduled BSB at Brands. I cannot believe how the start of the season has gone for him. At Brands hatch he was on fire qualifying 3rd. Then at Thruxton he looked like a sure podium until he was knocked off, and his injury from that crash has left him nursing a broken foot! He really has done nothing wrong to deserve this run and we have no alternative but for him to sit out the next round. Hopefully the weekend off and time before Donington should give him time to recover and start his season from there. Our Championship plans have taken a hammering but if we can start challenging for race wins we will have to wait for the rest to take their share of bad luck weekends!"