Harris confirms retirement
Monday 26 November 2007
TT
TT winner Shaun Harris has confirmed he has retired from racing.
Harris is recovering from extensive injuries suffered during racing at the Centenary TT in 2007. He had been considering his future in the sport, and had talked about a possible return to riding.
However, he said after careful consideration he had made the difficult decision to quit as a rider.
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.
In an announcement posted on the iomtt.com forum, Harris said:
‘The world has changed and I am moving on. It is with a bit of regret that I am announcing my retirement as a rider.’
‘I have been thinking very hard about this over the last few months, and have decided that if I was to race again, I probably would not even get back to my best again since my big crash, and do not see the point in fighting for 10th place (respect to those that are still moving up).’
He added:
‘I have had such a wonderful 21 years chasing race meetings and my goals around the world. I got to live and race in Japan for three years, and hung out in the UK for a few years, as well as the USA and Italy and other countries.’
‘In 1993 I gave up as a rider, and took on a role as team manager for a Grand Prix 250 team, the team itself was sh*te, but the experience was really great, as well as the people I got to meet because of the position I was in.’
Harris continued:
‘I have been lucky enough in my racing life, to stand on a podium in third place in a world championship endurance race in Malaysia, I have won a lot of championships in my country, New Zealand, and have the honour of my two wins at the Isle of Man TT races, so all in all, I have been really lucky, and have been given so much help over the years.’
‘To all that have supported me, thank you very much for helping make me the man that I have become.’