Taranaki motorcycling champion Shaun Harris is in the intensive care unit at Christchurch Hospital after crashing his motorbike on Saturday.

Taranaki motorcycle ace Shaun Harris is again fighting for his life following a serious crash at the Timaru International Motor Raceway.

Harris lost control of his bike and was thrown off while taking a hairpin turn at the Levels raceway about 11.45am on Saturday.

The 50-year-old was flown to Christchurch Hospital by helicopter and remains in the intensive care unit Canterbury District Health Board, spokeswoman Amy Milne said.

It is understood Harris' wife, Fiona Kelsen, has flown to Christchurch to be at her husband's bedside. The couple have a daughter, Petra.

It is not Harris' first brush with death, in 2007 he crashed while travelling at more than 230kmh during the Superstock TT (Tourist Trophy) race at the Isle of Man suffering a broken pelvis and other serious injuries.

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Taranaki motorsport journalist, Andy McGechan, said the motorcycling community was praying Harris would make a full recovery.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time and we are all crossing our fingers that he can pull through," McGechan said.

He said it was a great shock to hear the former Isle of Man champion was again involved in a life threatening crash.

"Shaun is well known in the motorcycling community, he's a hero here in New Zealand and even overseas he is well remembered as a former Isle of Man winner.

"It just goes to show, obviously, that this is a dangerous sport that we compete in."

McGechan said Harris was a fighter and eight years ago he had been on death's door and not expected to survive.

"He is a nuggety tough individual and if anyone can come through something like this again then Shaun is the man," he said.

"So the motorcycling community is rallying around and hoping now that he can do it once more and come through this difficult time."

In December, Harris said he was using motorcycle racing as a tool to rebuild his confidence and health after the serious 2007 crash.

Harris made a late entry in the Twin Pro class in round three of the New Zealand Superbike Championships in Timaru this weekend. He was on the second lap in the Twin Pro series practice when the accident happened.

Medics worked on him for more than an hour and a half before he was taken by helicopter to hospital.

South Canterbury Motorcycle Club is hosting the championships' third round.

Racing was scheduled to resume today.