Karl Harris: 'I want the Moto1 title' - September 13th 2004

British Supersport Championship star Karl Harris has set his sights on being the first rider to lift the Moto1 crown at the inaugural event on October 30-31 at Donington Park.

And Harris has the pedigree to be Britain's best all-round motorcycle sports star. In addition to his British Supersport championship wins Harris won no less than 15 motocross titles in schoolboy and youth competition.

'I'm going all out to win it,' Harris reveals. 'I'm confident about my chances in the supermoto and motocross events it¹s just the trials where I¹ll have to put some effort in beforehand.'

He jokes: 'And I should be OK for a top three finish in the road racing segment!'

Harris is chasing the £6000 first prize and recognises the strength of opposition he faces in the star-studded event.

'I'm pretty sure most of the off road lads will fancy their chances,' says Harris. 'They have good machine control ability and can easily adapt, if anything spooks them it may be the speed element of the road racing event.

'I know John McGuinness is fancying his chances but I¹m ready to give him a lesson or two!'

And Harris adds: 'Honda is fully supporting me with all the machinery I need and I just can¹t wait to get going.'

The Moto1 spectacular involves 24 of Britain's leading motorcycle sportsmen doing battle during a frantic two days of competition over four disciplines; road racing, motocross, supermoto and trials.

Moto1 action will run from 9am to 4.30pm each day. Additional attractions include the final round of the World Stunt Riding championship, a World Long Jump record attempt, freestyle motocross demonstrations, youth trials and motocross, a National Supermoto, two days of road races, a Classic Parade, the 'world famous' Purple Helmets and an extensive trade exhibition.

Event Managing Director Robbie Allan believes: 'Having riders of the calibre of Karl Harris at Moto1 will be a real spectacle for the fans. Everyone knows Karl as a road racer but his off road ability will impress everyone.'

Moto1 provisional timetable

Saturday 30th October

1. 09.00 - Event opening ceremony, Moto1 Trial - Leg 1 Show, Exhibition and Hall of Fame opens to the public. Practice for World Stunt Riding Championship, classic road racing, supermoto and youth motocross
2. 10.00 - Trials demonstration and test rides Supermoto Challenge practice begins. Freestyle Motocross Jumping Demonstration
3. 10.30 - Stage show, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area. Trials demonstration and test rides
4. 11.00 - Moto1 Motocross - practice, National Supermoto ­ Race 1
5. 11.30 - Moto1 Motocross - Race 1, National Supermoto ­ Race 2, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area.
6. 12.00 - Moto1 autograph signing session. Freestyle Motocross Jumping Demonstration
7. 12.30 - Stage Show, World Stunt Riding Championship ­ qualifying, Youth motocross races ­ 1 to 15
8. 13.00 - Moto1 Supermoto - practice, Classic road races, race 1-4
9. 13.30 - Moto1 Supermoto - Race 1, Freestyle Motocross Jumping Demonstration, Trials demonstration and test rides
10. 14.00 - Moto1 autograph signing session. National Supermoto ­ Race 3, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area
11. 14.30 - Stage show, Classic machine parade
12. 15.00 - Moto1 Road Race - practice, Supermoto Challenge ­ Race 1, Freestyle Motocross Jumping Demonstration
13. 15.45 - Moto1 Road Race - Race 1, National Supermoto ­ Race 4
14. 16.30 - All events close.

Sunday 31st October

15. 09.00 - Moto1 Trial - Leg 2, World Stunt Riding - Non Qualifiers competition, Show, Exhibition and Hall of Fame opens to the public. National Supermoto practice, Youth motocross practice, Classic road races - practice
16. 10.00 - Freestyle Motocross Jumping demonstration
17. 10.30 - Moto1 autograph signing session, Stage show, Youth motocross races 1 & 2, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area. Trials demonstration and test rides
18. 11.00 - World long jump record attempt, National Supermoto races 1 to 4
19. 11.30 - Moto1 motocross ­ practice
20. 12.00 - Moto1 Motocross - Race 2, Freestyle Motocross Jumping and Trials Demonstration
21. 12.30 - Moto1 autograph signing session, world stunt riding championship - final, Stage Show
22. 13.00 - Moto1 autograph signing session, Youth motocross races 3 to 15, Classic road races, race 1 to 4
23. 13.30 - Moto1 supermoto - practice, Freestyle Motocross Jumping demonstration, Trials demonstration and test rides
24. 14.00 - Moto1 Supermoto - Race 2, Stage Show, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area.
25. 14.30 - Moto1 autograph signing session, Stage Show, Purple Helmets display in the stunt riding area. Classic machine parade
26. 15.00 - Moto1 road race - practice, National Supermoto races 5 & 6, Freestyle Motocross Jumping demonstration
27. 15.45 - Moto1 Road Race - Race 2
28. 16.00 - Awards ceremony
29. 16.30 - All events close.

This article was kindly provided by Paul Barton.

The Moto1 website has full details of all advance ticket offers at www.moto1.org.