Dean Harrison backs TT organisers as weather throws a wobbler

Dean Harrison knows a thing or two about racing on the edge, and this year’s TT definitely kept everyone guessing. With the weather playing silly beggars for most of the fortnight, races were shuffled, shortened, and, in the case of the big one (Senior TT), scrapped altogether. But despite the chaos, Harrison’s not pointing fingers – quite the opposite, in fact.

Now a full-fledged Laxey local (yes, he actually moved here from Bradford), Dean told Shoei’s social media team that while missing races is always a let-down for riders, he’s fully behind Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson and co.

‘Obviously as a rider you want to race, so we’re disappointed – but I back Gary 100%. It was the right call. Loads of riders were saying how tricky the conditions were. The TT course is dangerous enough in perfect weather – chuck in high winds and damp patches, and it’s a different beast altogether.’

And he’s not wrong. With the Manx summer doing its usual mix of all four seasons in a day, getting any racing done at all felt like a minor miracle.

‘The schedule they pulled together was unbelievable, considering. Apart from the Senior, we only lost one lap each in Supersport and Superstock – that’s seriously impressive given the week we had. Honestly, the weather had their arms up their backs.’

But while the Senior TT might have been a washout, Dean had a stormer of a week regardless, bagging two wins in the Superstock class, including Honda Racing’s first TT win in ten years. Yep, a full decade. No biggie.

‘It’s hard to describe the feeling. Winning one TT is unreal – to win two in a week? That’s the cherry on top. Some say it’s been a long time coming, but honestly, even second or third here is a massive achievement. To finally get that win on Tuesday took the pressure off and made the second one even sweeter.’

And sweet it was. He even set the fastest-ever Metzeler lap on the second lap of the first Superstock race. Not bad for someone who used to sleep in a paddock motorhome during race week.

Now he’s enjoying the simple life in Laxey with his partner Vicky and their kids. Last year, the couple starred in a video for Locate Isle of Man – the government team encouraging folks to make the move to the rock. Turns out trading in West Yorkshire for Glen Mooar views and a proper brew from a local café might have done the trick.

‘I was hoping sleeping in my own bed instead of the paddock would help – and I guess it did!’

We’d say so, Dean.