BRITISH under-21 champion Simon Stead has become the first rider to be announced for this winter's New Year Classic at Newport Speedway's Hayley Stadium.

Sheffield Tigers' star Stead, who also captained the GB Lions squad against the Aussie Kangaroos last Sunday, will line up on December 30 with a host of other stars for an event which has grown in popularity over recent seasons.

The event is a unique as it is the only outdoor meeting to be held out of season. The Classic first started life in 1999 with German Robbie Kessler lifting the crown while Cwmfelinfach's Phil Morris took the title last year with the winter meeting staging the Welsh Open Championship where former Wasps' skipper Paul Fry took the honours. Stead has been in blistering form for the Sheffield Tigers this season and as most riders have found the New Year Classic good practice before the season re-opens again next March.

The rest of the field will be announced soon with Newport promoter Tim Stone, meanwhile, hopeful of signing up his Wasps team before Christmas.

l Newport Maverick Tom Brown has scooped two trophies in four days after claiming a pairs title on the Isle of Wight.

Along with partner Somerset Rebel Gary Phelps, the pair won the JT Commercial Pairs tournament with a combined total of 14 points at the Isle of Wight Islanders stadium. Second in the event was Adam Shields on his home track who along with his partner scored 13 points.

Brown's success follows on from a trophy he won competing in Coventry at the weekend.