Sunday 22nd July 2012, 05:43

Grand Prix star Chris Harris has called on the BSPA to take Team Great Britain on tour in a bid to end their struggles on foreign shale.

The Lions crashed out of the FIM Monster Energy Speedway World Cup at the Race Off stage in Malilla after finishing third behind Denmark and Poland.

While Tai Woffinden shone on 14 points and Harris accrued a solid 11, their compatriots Danny King and Scott Nicholls disappointed on three and two points respectively.

There is no doubt these four riders have more experience in the Swedish Elitserien than any of their fellow Lions. But Team GB still fell short when it came to finding the right setup.

The Brits are set to take on Australia in a test match at Poole’s Wimborne Road on August 1.

While matches between two of world speedway’s oldest enemies are always exciting, Bomber admits his side’s time would be better spent competing overseas.

He said: “Team GB always seem to struggle when we come out on the big, open tracks.

“What we could do with is a test match out in Sweden or Poland on the big tracks. It’s down to money, though, and we haven’t got the backing like the other federations have. Britain is Britain and it’s all well and good having a test match there. They need to arrange something abroad.”

Harris admits the slow-starting Lions went backwards as the Malilla track became increasingly slick during the Race Off.

He said: “We were in there to start with when there was a little bit of dirt. But when the track went slicker, we all seemed to go a bit slower. It’s disappointing when you’re that close and you all tail off at the end.

“The starts are vital in a competition like this and we just seemed to struggle.

“Scott and Danny had a really bad night – they weren’t quite quick enough. I wasn’t the quickest towards the end, but Tai had a fantastic meeting. We all put the effort in, but sometimes the effort doesn’t get you the points.”

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