WOLVERHAMPTON'S David Howe won the New Year Classic title for 2003 with some style as the Elite League rider showed his class.

A bumper crowd saw Howe dominate the event from start to finish as he showed the difference in class between Speedway's Elite and Premier leagues taking a maximum 18 points from six rides.

After Howe joined Brent Werner, Leigh Lanham and Shaun Tacey in the final, the Wolverhampton Wolf tussled with his main rival Brent Werner on the first bend, but Howe pulled away from his rival.

The race was effectively ended shortly after when Werner limped out of the race with engine trouble leaving Leigh Lanham and Shaun Tacey to finish second and third overall.

Howe has not always enjoyed riding at Hayley Stadium on his few appearances there, but he was superb from start to finish and ended up winning most of his six races with plenty of daylight between him and the chasing pack.

Howe praised the track, which was in superb condition, and modestly played down his win.

"Considering all the rain we have had, the track was dead smooth and near enough perfect," he said.

"I don't think I could have done another bend in the final let along another lap, but I wish Tim would run the New Year Classic in July then I'd be a bit fitter!"

There was plenty of competition for the 2003 title with Werner hot on his heels, but Howe did the damage to his main rival from Rye House Rockets when he pipped him to the chequered flag in heat two and set out his stall for the afternoon.

After making his mark on Werner, Howe did the same to Leigh Lanham in heat seven when he passed him on the first bend after the Arena Essex rider had come out of the gates flying.

With so many big-name Premier League riders on show, there was always going to be some intense riding in the offing and both Roger Lobb and Chris Neath can count themselves lucky they walked away from the heat eight crash.

Lobb, in particular, was tossed up against the safety barrier by the force of the crash as both riders hit the track and although he was forced to bow out of the remaining races, the Exeter Falcon still managed to limp back to the pits.

The only confirmed Newport Wasp for this season, Carl Wilkinson finished the afternoon with a well-earned nine points, and did well as the only reserve rider in the field.

He said: "I'm happy with that, I came here with an open mind. There was a strong field with all heat leaders and second strings.

"It's my first time back on the bike, I was more worried about the fitness side of things, I knew it would be hard racing, I know what I need to do now for the start of the season, so we can improve on this."

RESULTS

Final heat: D Howe 3, L Lanham 2, S Tacey 1, B Werner 0

Qualifying scores (from five rides): D Howe 15, B Werner 14, L Lanham 11, S Tacey 10, C Wilkinson 9, M Coles 7, C Neath 7, N Collins 6, R Kessler 5, L Collins 3, R Lobb 3, P Clews 0