Harris handed british Wild Card spot

Team Great Britain skipper Chris Harris is determined to steal in-form international colleague Tai Woffinden’s thunder in Cardiff after being handed the Fogo FIM British Speedway Grand Prix wild card.

The Cornishman, who spent six straight seasons as a full-time SGP rider from 2007 to 2012, dons the famous No.16 race jacket at the Millennium Stadium on June 1.

Harris exploded into the limelight in the Welsh capital on June 30, 2007, when he stormed past Aussie great Leigh Adams and triple world champion Jason Crump, before diving under double world champion Greg Hancock on the last bend to win one of the most epic finals in the SGP series’ 18-year history.

Woffinden has become the darling of the British fans this season after reaching his maiden Grand Prix final in Bydgoszcz on April 20, which put him fourth in the World Championship standings.

But Bomber is determined to thrust himself back into the limelight on world speedway’s biggest stage.
He said: “Tai is having a fantastic year and looking at what he’s doing, he’s probably the best rider around at the minute. He’s flying and he’s the man. But if I can go there and outshine him at Cardiff, it would be nice and very satisfying, just to show I’m still here and remind people not to forget about me.

“It would be nice to go there and win it. This time around, I go there with no pressure. I’m not in the series and no-one is going to be looking at me as a contender to win it. I’ll go there and enjoy the weekend and hopefully get the best result I can.

“I’m very happy to have been given the call. I’m obviously disappointed not to be in the Grand Prix full-time, but it’s a great honour to be asked for this one. I’d like to thank BSI Speedway and the FIM for giving me the opportunity to get back in it for Cardiff.”

Harris starts in the SGP qualification quarter final at Austrian track St Johann on June 8 and is determined to fight his way through to the GP Challenge at British club Poole on August 24, where the top three riders earn World Championship berths for 2014.

He said: “I definitely want to be back in there for 2014. When I knew I wasn’t in there for this year, my goal was always to get back as soon as possible. I’m working hard, things are going well and I’m taking slow steps. I’m enjoying my racing and I’m feeling good in myself. I’m training hard as well and everything is coming along nicely.”

Harris is joined in Cardiff by track reserves Craig Cook and Josh Auty. Cook, who doubles up with Belle Vue and Edinburgh, wears the No.17 race jacket, while Birmingham and Scunthorpe rider Auty lines up at No.18.

Swedish referee Krister Gardell takes charge of the biggest meeting on the World Championship calendar.