BRITISH champion and Grand Prix winner Chris Harris became the first man to land the New Year Classic for a third time at a packed-out Hayley Stadium yesterday.

Coventry's Harris, a red-hot favourite after last year's title- holder David Howe's withdrawal, repeated his 2004 and 2005 victories with a final win over unattached American Brent Werner, the only man to ride in all nine classics, Lakeside's Leigh Llanham and competition debutant Richie Hawkins, of Somerset Rebels.

Harris posted his intention from the very off when he easily won heat one, and the only time he failed to win in his five qualifying races was in the 15th and final heat when he finished behind Hawkins.

But the rider who spectacularly triumphed in last year's British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium had already booked his passage to the final, and you had the feeling that if he'd needed to get past young Hawkins, then he could have.

Many local eyes were trained on a couple of Polish riders, Marek Moroz and Marcin Kozdras. Both are available and could take over from Elite League-bound countryman Michal Rajkowski at Newport Wasps, although both failed to impress on the tight circuit yesterday.

Another couple of former Wasps, ex-skipper Paul Fry and Cwmfelinfach-based Phil Morris, now of Isle of Wight Islanders and Birmingham Brummies respectively, both showed they still know their way around the 285-metre track, but it wasn't enough for either rider to make the final.

The only one who looked likely to threaten Harris was teenage Eastbourne star Lewis Bridges, a replacement for track expert Lee Complin, of Stoke Potters.

Bridges won his first two races in fine style. However, he fell in his next two and withdrew from the meeting injured, as did Sheffield's Ricky Ashworth after the pair had been involved in a crash on bend one of heat 11.

It left only 2006 winner Werner as Harris' only real threat in the final, but when the twice former runner-up swept into the lead from the outside at the first bend it was all over.

Final qualifying positions. (England unless stated) (all from five rides unless stated): 1 - Harris, 15 points; 2 - Brent Werner (USA), 11; 3 - Richie Hawkins, 10; 4 - Leigh Lanham, 9; 5 - Paul Fry and Krzysztof Stojanowski (Poland), both 8; 7 - Phil Morris (Wales) and Adam Roynon, both 7; 9 - Lewis Bridges, 6 (4); 10 - Ricky Ashworth, 4 (4); 11 - Marek Moroz (Poland), 3; 12 - Marcin Kozdras (Poland), 1.

Final: 1 - Harris, 59.34 seconds; 2 Werner; 3 Lanham, Hawkins.