Dean Harrison

Every so often, a rider emerges from nowhere that establishes themselves as a hot prospect before going on to become an International race winner - Dean Harrison most definitely fits into that category. 

Dean first burst onto the road racing scene in 2010 with numerous wins in the Support classes on the Irish roads, but the result that really stood out was his defeat of Ryan Farquhar in a Supertwin race at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, a feat that was simply unheard of at the time. Since that win, he’s never looked back, with the Bradford rider now seen as, arguably, one of the best three racers currently competing on the roads. 

After a solid TT debut in 2011, having lapped at more than 121mph onboard his own R1 Yamaha, the father and son combination of Roy and Ben Constable formed a race team with Harrison as the sole rider and from 2012-2014, giving Harrison everything he needed. Success soon came for the team in 2014 as they claimed a dream win in the Lightweight TT race and took a brilliant second to Michael Dunlop in the Superstock race. 

RC Express Racing played a pivotal and integral part in Harrison’s career and although a move to Mar-Train Yamaha in 2015 didn’t pay dividends, a switch to Silicone Engineering Kawasaki in 2016 did and it’s here where he’s remained ever since albeit under the guise of DAO Racing in 2022. Again, it’s a team that was solely built around Harrison, an environment he clearly thrives in having achieved 2 wins and 8 podiums across the ten races of 2018 and 2019.

That trend continued in 2022 when, although unable to add to his three wins, he took three more second place finishes with third and fourth taken in his other two races. He improved upon that in 2023 with no less than five third place finishes as well as second in the Senior. 

Competing in the British Superbike Championship has also played its part in Harrison’s prowess around the Mountain Course. Racing week in, week out against the country’s leading short circuit riders has made Harrison a better, more polished rider and, in turn, a better road racer. 

He continues to make steps forward in BSB but if there’s one area where he still needs to improve at the TT, it’s the Mountain section. This became apparent during the epic Senior TT in 2018, which he lost to Peter Hickman by just 2.061s, and although he’s made progress in this area since, further progress is required if he’s to turn the multitude of seconds and thirds into more race wins.

Those third place finishes led to frustration and he’s been the big mover in the winter and will line up for Honda Racing in 2024, a mouth-watering prospect indeed.

VIEW FROM OUR RIDER LIAISON OFFICERS

Dean is such a talented rider with a great attitude to his racing and that perhaps is his greatest asset. He remains grounded and has time for everyone, so he really goes about his business in a good, positive manner. There are no airs or graces with Dean and win, lose or draw, he’s the same person with the same outlook and demeanor.

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