BELLE Vue team manager Jim Lynch is backing captain and No 1 Chris Harris to storm back to the form that made him a Grand Prix racer and triple British champion.

The 28-year-old Cornishman has struggled to overcome the mechanical problems caused by the introduction of new, lower decibel silencers.

Harris thought he had the new gear sorted after using it successfully last season but admits he made a mistake this year by not continuing the testing process.

He has been lacking speed with the result he has lost his British title and is facing an uphill battle to gain the top eight finish in the Grand Prix which ensures a place in next year’s World championship.

The Aces have three away Elite League matches this week before resuming home action against Lakeside at Kirkmanshulme Lane next Monday (7 30).

Lynch said: “Chris is a racer and he’ll put things right. He hasn’t become a bad rider but he has been having bike problems.

“He is getting things sorted out but, even so, he had a disappointing British Grand Prix at Cardiff on Saturday. Grand Prix racing is so unforgiving. You need to get your act right in all five heats and he didn’t do that.

“A lot of riders have had to make changes because of the new silencers and Chris isn’t the only one to have had problems. It’s just that he is taking longer than some to sort them out.

“He has shown in the past that he is a better rider in the second half of the season and that’s where we are now. He proved that last year and I’m backing him to prove it again.”

Harris will be eager to put on a top show against Lakeside on Monday when the Autogate Aces seek revenge for their home defeat by the Essex side in April.

His mechanical problems cost the team dearly when they lost by two points to Poole in their last home match.

Lynch added: “We’ve got a score to settle on Monday and that will give us extra determination to turn them over. We can’t afford any mishaps this time.”

He has shuffled his pack, as he suggested last week he would, with No 4 Patrick Hougaard and No 5 Rory Schlein switching places.

It gives added responsibility to Hougaard, who is back after a month’s absence with a hand injury, while allowing the in-form Schlein the chance to give the team more bite in the closing stages of a match.

The Aces made a successful launch of their Buy a Brick campaign to raise money for the new stadium when they had a stand in the Fan Zone at the British Grand Prix.

The £6m stadium has been given National Stadium status by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Belle Vue took the chance to spread the word about the venture at the biggest event of the season.

Plans are now in hand for a major Belle Vue launch at the Monastery, in Gorton Lane, on Tuesday, August 2 (6 45 for 7 0).

Club bosses David Gordon and Chris Morton will have a great deal more detail about the project by then and there will be a full presentation.

Gordon said: “Without a doubt this will be the most important supporters’ meeting in the history of the Belle Vue Aces.

“It will explain precisely how we arrived at the current situation and where we are going in the coming months and years. It will be a pivotal meeting that will help determine the future of the club and it will get our supporters involved.

“There will be a question and answer session to give fans the opportunity to ask what they like and be provided with the correct information – the facts.

“We want the support of every Belle Vue fan, past, present and future. The new stadium is our future and we want everyone to be part of it.”

Picture shows New Zealand speedway legend Barry Briggs, a four times World champion, hoilding a brick carrying his name to be built into the Wall of Fame at Belle Vue’s new stadium.