TT winner and Island legend Shaun Harris has decided to retire from racing and will not be making his scheduled appearance at this year's Isle of Man festival.

The New Zealander, who had a massive accident at Union Mills during the 2007 Superstock TT, had planned to make a comeback this year but after much soul searching, has decided to call it a day.

In a statement, Harris said: "After very deep and careful consideration and with great regret towards all of you faithful fans of real road racing and me in particular, I have decided to withdraw from competing at this years Isle of Man TT races.

"My reason for this is a coming to terms with the fact that my whole effort of recovery from my accident was to prove to myself that the accident did not take my abilities away from me. As I consider myself to be a true road racer, I needed to be sure I still was a true road racer and that my accident, whilst taking a lot from me, did not take that part of me away.

"My recent races, including my race win, here in New Zealand has been the final proof that I needed in order to come to terms with my inner struggle in this regard. Basically, and unknown to me, I was targeting the TT races as the place to prove these things to myself. In reality, I have to accept that the Isle of Man is no place for such actions and as a former winner there, I know this for a fact.

"During the whole of my racing career I have been totally supported by my family. They have shared my success and my troubles with me on an equal basis. Unless you are in this position, it is difficult to understand the hardships which come with it. I have to be honest and say that while I have mainly seen things from the 'racers' viewpoint, my recent discussions with my family have finally brought me to the point where I have decided that with me being a big part of their life, and them in mine, hanging up the leathers is the most important thing for me now. My love for my family is my main focus now and I am actually more comfortable than I have ever been in my journey of doubt and indecision of whether to carry on competing at the TT. My decision to stop has been made purely by myself and for these reasons. I will now be a 100% family man.

"I would especially like to take this opportunity to offer a huge thanks to all my friends and fans around the world who have helped to carry me on my journey of racing since 1991 and who have enabled me to achieve my many successes, especially my 2003 Isle of Man TT victories……..I am indeed part of a unique club and proud of it. My other journey of recovery from the serious injuries I received in 2007 has also been inspired by some of the most genuine friends and fans from within any sport in the world. Relative complete strangers dipping into their pockets and parting with their hard earned cash and valuable time and efforts in order to support someone from the other side of the world is a concept I am still trying to handle……saying thank you does not even come close to expressing my gratitude for this. If I live to be 200 years old, I will never forget these acts of support.

"Although I don't know the man, Wilson Craig has proved himself to be a special person who was providing me with an extremely competitive bike and spares to compete with. The significance of this to me is something which I will be eternally grateful for….I am only sorry that I will not be racing under his team colours but I would like to wish him all the success his team deserve. I will be thanking him in person in due course.

Finally to John, my manager and his Return from Hell team, I can only say sorry and thanks at the same time. John and I had a discussion recently and he stated that, contrary to the fact that I thought my decision to pull out of the TT was a body blow to the campaign, he stated that the campaign has in fact been a huge success in the sense that it should be looked upon as a process which has delivered Shaun Harris back to himself…..I now agree with this as I understand it now.

"In closing I would like to say that I will be trying to get over to the Island this year and hope to meet up with you fantastic people who have become such a big part of my life and some of my main contributors to my current state of contentment I now have with my dear family."