CHRIS HARRIS Born: 28th November 1982, Truro, Cornwall
British career history: Rye House (2001-03, CL), Rye House (2002-03, 2005-06), Eastbourne (d/up 2003-04, d/up 2006, 2008), Poole (d/up 2005, 2007), Coventry (2009-present) CHRIS Harris makes a popular return to Brandon for the 2012 season after a year out on loan at Belle Vue.
One of the most exciting riders in the sport, Chris joined the Buildbase Bees in a full transfer from Peterborough in the winter of 2003/04, and played an integral part in the Bees' spectacular run of six major trophies in four seasons between 2005-08.
He also achieved plenty of individual success, finishing second to his then team-mate Scott Nicholls in the 2005 British Championship before reaching the top step of the podium in 2007 at Wolverhampton,- and he then regained the title in 2009 at Poole, retained it back at Wolves in 2010 and then lost out to Nicholls again at the same venue the following year as the two continued their dominance of the event.
His Elite League form reached consistent heat-leader standard midway through the 2006 season, and 2007 was a memorable year as Harris helped Coventry to the Elite League treble, posted an actual average in excess of nine - and his win in the British Grand Prix at Cardiff gave 40,000 fans one of the greatest-ever speedway races as he first overhauled Leigh Adams and Jason Crump before getting the better of Greg Hancock on the very last bend.
2008 was a more difficult campaign both domestically and in the World Championship as Chris started off with several mechanical problems and was then involved in a series of accidents which left him below full fitness for large parts of the season.
In 2009 he enjoyed a largely injury-free campaign and posted his highest-ever Elite League average, and was also captain of the youthful Great Britain squad who impressed in their first World Cup under the control of Rob Lyon.
2010 was a season of two halves as Harris and the Buildbase Bees went through tough times early in the campaign before a spectacular turnaround. If Cardiff 2007 was the defining moment of Harris's GP career, Poole 2010 is certain to go down in a similar way at Elite League level as, in the second leg of the Grand Final, Harris was involved in an horrendous-looking accident with team-mate Lewis Bridger, only to remarkably run back to the pits and deliver an inspirational display to lead the Bees to a stunning title triumph.
His GP form followed a similar pattern to the league, and a series of Final appearances allowed Harris to finish in a best-yet sixth position overall, earning an automatic place in the 2011 series.
That campaign saw him away from Coventry, largely as a result of the winter uncertainty over the Bees' future, although as things turned out he still made several guest appearances for his parent club. His year on loan at Belle Vue was a frustrating one for long spells with numerous mechanical issues, but major changes to his backroom staff saw Harris finish the season in much better form both domestically and in the GP, which gained him a nomination for 2012.
His return to the Buildbase Bees was announced in the final home meeting of 2011, receiving a hugely positive reception as one of the club's most popular riders of all-time comes home.
NEXT HOME MEETING
Next meeting at Brandon Stadium... Friday March 16, 2012 THE 2012 BRANDONAPOLIS
