HARRIS CHASING RIDERS TITLE

Saturday October 14, 2017

CHRIS HARRIS wants to end his UK league riders’ individual event jinx and boost his bid for Team GB and the Grand Prix series.

The ex-British GP winner goes into tonight’s Championship Riders’ title at Glasgow (Ashfield, 7pm) as one of the favourites for top spot.

But Harris, 34, has revealed his desire to get back into the elite of the sport at the GPs and continue to be in Alun Rossiter’s Team GB squad.

He admitted: “I’m an old timer now. These meetings are always tough, the best riders in the league and a great one to be involved in.

“I’ve really never been that good at this level for some reason which I can’t explain. I have been second and third in the Elite League version but not won a riders’ championship before.

“Glasgow’s a track I enjoy. I’ve had good results there. From 2003 to last couple of years the improvement is just great. When I was there years ago the grandstand was falling down. But the owners have done a remarkable job.

“It’s a great stadium to go to now and one I really enjoy going to. It’s quite narrow but it’s a nice shape, I’ve always enjoyed that side of it. It seems to suit the way I ride really.

“It will be hard. I’ve really enjoyed it racing in the Championship. People said it would be a step backwards but when you look at the riders like Danny King, Craig Cook, Stevie and Richie Worrall and Sam Masters you’ve got good riders, so it isn’t easy.”

The experienced Peterborough star dropped out of the GPs for the first time after a decade this season. Now he believes he can force his way back into the Team GB reckoning and GP series next year.

He added: “I was disappointed to miss out last year on being in Team GB in the World Cup final at Belle Vue. So to get back in was great. I worked hard to get back in Rosco’s plans and I also want to get back in the Grand Prix series.

“I still feel I can have some fun in there and race at that level. People might not think I can but I believe I can. While I believe that I will keep going.

“I’ve missed the racing and the atmosphere of the Grand Prix. Even when you are at the back, I still miss being part of it. I don’t miss the travelling and the expense that comes with it. Being in the GPs is a great experience and want to be part of it again.”

Harris also revealed he has given new GP star Craig Cook a few bits of advice prior to his debut next season.

He added: “Craig and I have talked a fair bit when we’ve seen each other at meetings. He’s asked me about the GP series and I’ve told him he needs a big bank balance!

“You need that, you do need to throw a lot of money at it to compete with the best. He just needs to relax and enjoy in his first year, don’t overcomplicate it. If he just does what he’s been doing at Belle Vue and Workington all year it will stand him in good stead.

“He’s a good gater, he’s got that on his side. I was never the best of gater so had to do it from the back but it’s so hard at that level, they are all world class riders. You can’t pass them as easily as in the UK leagues.”

Article: PHIL LANNING
Pictures: TAYLOR LANNING

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