Honda four-some descend on Castle Combe.

The Superbike Grand National at Castle Combe marks a momentous occasion for HM Plant Honda Racing and Red Bull Rookies Honda. The two teams are using the event to debut riders in the Superbike and Supersport classes this weekend.

One rider from each team has been given the opportunity to step up to the next class and prove their abilities. Spectators at the circuit will witness rumour materialise into reality when Karl Harris competes in the Superbike event this weekend aboard the British prototype CBR1000RR Fireblade.

The Superbike Grand National at Castle Combe marks a momentous occasion for HM Plant Honda Racing and Red Bull Rookies Honda. The two teams are using the event to debut riders in the Superbike and Supersport classes this weekend.

One rider from each team has been given the opportunity to step up to the next class and prove their abilities. Spectators at the circuit will witness rumour materialise into reality when Karl Harris competes in the Superbike event this weekend aboard the British prototype CBR1000RR Fireblade.

It is the Yorkshireman's reward for claiming his second consecutive British Supersport title for HM Plant Honda Racing. Harris will swap his all-conquering Honda CBR600RR for a Fireblade, which is based on a standard model of the machine, and has been built entirely at the team's Louth-based headquarters.

Castle Combe is the first event where the prototype will be raced. It has reportedly so far only reached 60 per cent of its full potential, but has already achieved 195bhp on the dyno after just four runs. When Harris recently tested the motorcycle at Croft in North Yorkshire, he was on the pace of the leading contenders from the previous weekend's British Superbike event.

"I'm really happy with the bike, I feel comfortable on it and I am confident ahead of my debut," commented Harris. "I know it's going to be tough to get onto a Superbike and keep up with the factory riders who have developed their bikes over the course of the season, but that's definitely not going to stop me trying. Knowing that this was my reward for winning two championships back-to back made me even more determined to claim victory in the Supersport championship this year."

He will compete alongside HM Plant Honda Racing team-mates Michael Rutter and Ryuichi Kiyonari. The Superbike duo will be racing the HRC-supported factory CBR1000RR Fireblades that they have campaigned in the 13-round 2004 British Superbike Championship.

"I am as determined to win at Castle Combe as I have been at every round of the championship," said Rutter. "I think that we are the strongest team at the event, but Kiyonari proved what he is capable of when he sets his mind to it after winning both races at Donington Park last weekend. Securing victory won't be an easy task."

"I was very happy to win my first races in England last weekend and I'm hoping to score another double victory at Castle Combe," stated Kiyonari. "However, it will be a little bit more difficult this time because I don't know the circuit as well as Donington Park."

Eugene Laverty will take up Harris's Supersport mantle at the Wiltshire circuit. The 18-year-old Red Bull Rookies Honda rider will complete the four-man Honda Racing team at the event. Ulster teenager Laverty is set to demonstrate the full potential of the inspirational Red Bull Rookies Honda project after just one full year of racing in the British 125GP Championship.

His success at the top of the 125GP standings has earned him a Supersport ride at the non-championship event this weekend. Laverty will compete aboard the Red Bull Rookies Honda CBR600RR at Castle Combe. It is the same machine that Harris claimed victory on in 2003 and was campaigned by fellow Ulsterman and team-mate Jonathan Rea in the 2004 season.

"I'm really looking forward to my Supersport debut at Castle Combe, especially after a frustrating end to the 125GP championship last weekend," said Laverty. "It would be fantastic to finish in the top three on my first time out on the bike, but there is no pressure on me and I'm just concentrating on adjusting to the bike and being competitive."

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