Harris leads new Hydrex line-up.

Former HM Plant Honda rider, Karl 'Bomber' Harris, has moved to the Hydrex Honda team for 2007 - where he will be joined by Guy Martin and Allann Jon Venter.

"This is the third year of support from Hydrex and our supporting sponsors and we need to give them their just rewards after a disappointing 2006," admitted team principal Shaun Muir, who fielded Glen Richards and Gary Mason last season. "I tried to sign Karl at the end of 2005 but he obviously had the factory HM Plant offer. When we knew he was available for 2007 we didn't hesitate in going after him. He has a point to prove and hopefully he can do it on our bikes."

Harris finished fifth in the 2006 BSB championship, won by then team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, and Hydrex crew chief Mick Shanley is confident that the team's technical package will suit the Englishman.

"The Honda CBR1000RRs are a good package. Karl will be into his third year riding on one. Chris Mehew will tune the motors and switching to Showa suspension should give Karl continuity," he said.

Meanwhile, Martin's signing came as something of a surprise since he was expected to remain with the AIM Yamaha team following a successful 2006 that included a fantastic four-timer at the Ulster Grand Prix. However, with Hydrex keen to take up his services, the lure proved too much and a deal agreed.

Martin hopes that the ride will result in his first TT win and he is scheduled to compete in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes atthe North West 200, the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix - plus other selected road race events. In addition, Martin will also contest some British Championship rounds alongside fellow new recruit Harris, although his class is yet to be decided.

"I really enjoyed the year with AIM Racing and am grateful for everything they did for me with the Ulster GP clearly being the highlight. Everyone assumed I would be staying with them and, at the end of last season, so did I but things have been up in the air for a while now and I've been speaking to a number of people about 2007," explained Martin. "The more I thought about it the more I thought a change of scenery would do me good. A change is as good as the rest and I just felt like I needed to get a bit more freedom in my racing in order to achieve the goals I've set myself."

"I'll definitely be contesting the British Championship rounds leading up to the TT although we're not sure at the moment whether it will be Superbike or Supersport. After that the team will let me use the bikes where I want and we could combine the short circuits with a few more road events. The three Internationals, especially the TT, are at the top of my agenda and I'll be going all out to win in the 100th year of the TT."

"With Guy Martin we feel we have a genuine chance of getting a TT win," added Muir. "He will have his own dedicated roads and short circuit bikes at his disposal to give the best possible chance. In South African AJ Venter, we have a young rider to help develop into a top racer in the UK and maybe step up a level in 08."

Venter will contest the National Superstock championship this season.

Hydrex has pre-season testing planned for mid February at Calafat, Gaudix and Albacete in Spain.