Harris considers return to racing
Tuesday 23 October 2007
TT
TT winner Shaun Harris hasn’t ruled out a return to racing after his horrific smash at the Centenary TT.
The New Zealander, in an in-depth interview with leading motorcycle racing magazine Irish Racer, revealed he is considering whether to make a comeback.
The 43-year-old suffered massive injuries when he crashed at Union Mills at more than 100mph during the Superstock race. Despite potentially life-threatening injuries – including extensive internal damage such as a shattered pelvis – Shaun survived and returned home after weeks in hospital in the Isle of Man and England.
Speaking to October’s edition of Irish Racer, Shaun explained he is agonising over whether to return to the track, or remain involved in the sport in another way.
He told Irish Racer:
‘If I decide not to race again I’d be totally at peace with that decision because in no way am I walking away from the sport.’
Shaun also told the magazine he would consider offering his expertise to race organisers in a bid to make tracks safer.
He said:
‘Riders take in a lot more of the track than officials do. We see things they don’t see and we know when you crash where you are going to end up. Whereas, officials do their best, but they don’t really know.’
‘Yes, it’s a road race, and it’s unsafe, but there’s no reason it can’t be made a little bit safer.’
Helping talented young riders is another area Shaun told Irish Racer he would be involved in.
He added:
‘I’ve got a lot to give back to the sport.’
‘I’m going to be involved one way or another. I’m still the same Shaun Harris that I was six months ago, but Shaun Harris has improved slightly. Perhaps I’ve realised I’m not invincible and I’m not Mr Perfect, but I feel I’m a better person because of it.’
‘When you look at me as a person who was smashed to bits and potentially dead, I’m bloody lucky!’
Read the full interview with Shaun Harris in the October edition of Irish Racer, out now.