Chris Harris dedicated his 15-point maximum in King’s Lynn’s huge win over Oxford on Monday to the memory of his late father.
Cedric’s birthday was also August 18, but he passed away from a heart attack on Boxing Day 1998 before his son’s senior career had really got started.
Chris admits his dad is always in his mind, and it was a poignant time for things to come right again for him in the Premiership.
Harris said: “It’s been a long time coming, because the last few weeks have been terrible!
“I needed that. We pretty much went back to basics, changed a few things on the bike and things worked out well.
“It was my dad’s birthday as well so I hope he’s up there looking down, and that one was for him for sure.
“I lost him at the age of 16, and it gave me that bit extra more to keep going. I always acknowledge him after a win. He’d only want me to win!”
Even now at the ripe old age of 42, Harris shows no signs of slowing down, and the meeting at the Adrian Flux Arena was his fifth in five days.
That included a late finish at Glasgow on Saturday prior to a dash to the Netherlands to compete in the European Grasstrack Championship the following afternoon, where he finished third.
Given that schedule, many riders may have been happy to take a break, but Harris still put himself forward to complete his maximum in heat 15 on Monday.
And he did so with a trademark outside surge coming off the second bend to get the better of Spires’ captain Maciej Janowski.
He said: “I knew I could trust Magic, he’s not a dirty rider, but I was ready to put the brakes on if needed.
“But I got good drive coming out of the corner, and the bike was working well.
“I was making some good starts, although I did burn a clutch out my second ride so we had to change clutch plates there, but other than that it was a pretty solid night.
“It was a good team performance as well, and it makes a difference having a full team.
“That’s been a long time coming as well, so it’s nice that Ben (Cook) is back and he’s going well.
“Obviously we should get the aggregate point when we go there (on Monday), but they could easily do it to us on their home track so we’ve got to be on our game and attack it.”
