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REDCAR pulled off a breathtaking, barely believable 47-43 win over the Berwick Bandits in another thrilling Cab Direct Championship last heat decider at the ECCO Arena. Charles Wright hit 12+1 for the “Agilia” Bears with Jason Edwards hitting 12 whilst Jye Etheridge struck an impressive 11+1 for the beaten Bandits. 

The Bears headed into heat 15 with a 43-41 lead but after Charles Wright was excluded for touching the tapes, he was replaced by Jody Scott. Jason Edwards then took a heavy fall on the first bend in the re-run and it was looking like an uphill task for the hosts. However, Edwards dusted himself down for the re-run, gated and remarkably held off Peter Kildemand for the win, and with Scott 3rd, the home fans went wild. 

Bears boss Gavin Parr praised the togetherness of his septet after another ECCO Arena thriller. Parr said, ” Hats off to the boys for all sticking together and getting the job done. Berwick were always going to provide a sterner test than they did last time and at times, we had to dig deeper than we have had to do before this season.”

Heat one began terribly for the hosts as Peter Kildemand won with ease, and with Etheridge 2nd, the visiting Bandits had the perfect start. The reserves race saw Reid Battye hit the deck on the opening bends, with all four invited back for a re-run. The re-run saw Scott win, but with Bears guest Ryan Ingram 4th, the early four point gap remained. 

However, heat 3 saw that lead evaporate as Edwards won convincingly, and with Jake Mulford 2nd, Redcar began to bite back. Nevertheless, Berwick re-established their four point lead in heat 4 as Battye took an impressive win, and with Nick Morris taking care of Jake Allen, Berwick sensed an opportunity to capitalise.

Etheridge took another impressive win in heat 5, but with Edwards battling past Kildemand and just doing enough to hold off the Dane, he prevented a 5-1 but the Bandits stretched their lead to six points at the ECCO Arena. 

After Wright won a shared heat 6, he was straight back out in heat 7 as a tactical substitute with Jake Allen as Redcar looked to turn the tide. The decision proved to be the correct one by Parr as Wright won, and with Allen 2nd, Redcar were back within two points of the Bandits.  

However, the theme of the meeting continued in heat 8 as Berwick hit back, but not without controversy. The original running of the race saw Scott gate, lift and then the Brit tangled with Battye and came down. Most inside the ECCO Arena expected to see all four back, but despite Scott losing his steel shoe in the tangle, he was excluded. 

The restaging saw both Bandits gate, and with Simon Lambert unable to land a blow, Berwick were back to a six point lead on Teesside. After Edwards passed Morris to win a shared heat 9, Scott responded to his heat 8 setback to join Wright at the front in heat 10, and with Victor Palovaara and Battye unable to mount a challenge, Redcar were again within two points of the visitors. 

Despite the hosts hitting back again, they were afforded no respite from Berwick as Kildemand passed Allen to win heat 11 and with Ingram 4th behind Etheridge, the Bandits were four ahead with four races remaining. 

Heat 12 saw Mulford return to the fore with a comfortable win, and with Scott riding the boards, he built up enough speed to pass Jack Smith on lap four to get the paid win, much to the delight of the Bears supporters, and suddenly we had a level meeting. 

After Wright took care of Kildemand to win a shared heat 13, we had more drama in heat 14. As the tapes rose, both Ingram and Edwards hit the front, only for the red lights to go on (for a tapes issue) as the riders entered turn 3, much to the disgust of the Redcar fans. The re-run saw Ingram pop out of the start for the win, and with Edwards overhauling Battye for 3rd, Redcar had a narrow two point lead with one heat remaining. 

Nails were being bitten in the crowd from both sets of supporters, and as the tapes rose, it seemed Morris had touched the tapes. However, upon looking at the video evidence, SCB referee Chris Gay correctly saw that Wright had touched first, and the Bears skipper was excluded. The re-run saw Morris leave Edwards no room, with the long time Bear colliding heavily with the fence. However, he was quickly up and all four men were invited back for a re-run. 

The re-run saw the seventh last heat decider of the season at Redcar, and boy it was a classic! Edwards gated, and Wright’s replacement, Scott joined him. However, Kildemand wasn’t done and he tried every wide line of the ECCO Arena, and he passed Scott but Edwards held on to win, sending the home support into delirium as Redcar yet again pulled a big home win out of the fire!

Redcar Bears : 47

1. Charles Wright = 12+1

2. Simon Lambert = 1

3. Jake Mulford = 5+1

4. Jason Edwards = 12

5. Jake Allen = 6

6. Ryan Ingram = 3

7. Jody Scott = 8+2

Berwick Bandits = 43

1. Peter Kildemand = 11

2. Jye Etheridge = 11+1

3. Victor Palovaara = 1

4. Jordan Jenkins – R/R

5. Nick Morris = 7+2

6. Jack Smith = 4+3

7. Reid Battye = 9+1

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SCUNTHORPE maintained their unbeaten home record with a convincing 53-37 success over the Redcar Bears to move to the top of the Cab Direct Championship table. Both skippers top scored for their sides as  Josh Pickering struck a flawless 15 point full maximum whilst Charles Wright continued his impressive return from injury with 14 points.  

The hosts registered an impressive 12 heat winners, and with only 5 last places, it left the “Agilia” Bears with a mountain they ultimately could not climb. This result leaves Redcar 6th in the table heading into the final six league matches of the regular season. 

Bears co-promoter Jamie Swales was in a philosophical mood after the defeat. Swales said, “I never really felt we were totally outclassed but we were beaten by fine margins in each race and they are a very good side on home shale.”

Heat one began with a tapes infringement as Connor Mountain reacted to a twitch from Redcar’s Simon Lambert which sent the former through the tapes, with Scorpions boss David Howe electing to bring in his reserve Nathan Ablitt from the tapes. Scunthorpe gated on a maximum, but Wright made short work of Ablitt, but with the Brit unable to reel in Pickering, the hosts started with a 4-2. 

Scunthorpe’s positive start to proceedings continued in the reserves race as Ryan Ingram won convincingly, and with Ablitt holding off Jody Scott for 2nd, Gavin Parr had plenty to think about after two heats in Lincolnshire.  

Heat 3 saw another obliteration of the tapes with Michael Palm-Toft the guilty party after Jake Mulford moved, and the Dane was excluded from the re-run. However, this didn’t hamper the hosts as his replacement, Ryan Ingram made it two wins on the bounce, but with Dan Gilkes at the back, Scunthorpe’s run of heat advantages had been stopped.

After a pair of shared heats won by Luke Harrison and Charles Wright respectively, Scunthorpe edged further ahead in heat six as Pickering continued on his merry way with another classy win, and with Mountain pipping Ace Pijper on the line, Redcar were eight down and without a heat advantage. 

Heat 7 saw another win for Harrison, but with the Bears pairing of Jason Edwards and Jake Mulford packing the minor placings, Redcar did not lose further ground. The next heat saw an incredible pass from Simon Lambert as he squeezed through the smallest of gaps to pass Ablitt for the win, but with Mountain passing Scott, Redcar remained eight in arrears.  

Heat 9 saw Parr play his tactical substitute as Wright joined Jake Allen at the tapes, with Redcar in desperate need of a heat advantage. With the travelling Bears’ support hoping Parr’s decision would pay dividends, Wright forced his way to the front, and with Allen 2nd, suddenly, the Bears were within 4 of the Scorpions. 

However, just as Redcar thought they were bouncing back into contention, the hosts showed exactly why they boast an unbeaten home record. Pickering won, and despite Mulford’s best efforts, Mountain finished 2nd, handing Scunthorpe a big 5-1 to re-establish an 8 point lead.

Remarkably, the Scorpions have recorded a heat advantage in heat 10 in every league home meeting this season!

Heat 11 saw the impressive Harrison somehow hold off the faster looking Wright to win, but with Ingram 4th, Redcar still had a glimmer of hope. 

Heat 12 saw a lot of the hope evaporate as Gilkes won, and with Ablitt 3rd, Scunthorpe were 41-31 ahead and closing in on a place at the top of the Cab Direct Championship table.   

Heat 13 saw Scunthorpe secure the spoils with their fourth 4-2 as Pickering completed his programmed rides with another win despite the close attentions of Wright, and with Harrison 3rd, (despite losing out on the chance of a maximum), the Scorpions had won with 2 heats to spare. 

The penultimate heat saw Ingram round off another impressive night around the Eddie Wright Raceway with a win, and with Palm-Toft 3rd, it was the hosts 7th heat advantage. Heat 15 saw Pickering complete his full maximum with his 5th win, and with Harrison 3rd, the Scorpions had secured all 3 points (including the aggregate bonus) on home shale. 

Scunthorpe Scorpions : 53 (101)

1. Josh Pickering = 15 MAX

2. Connor Mountain = 4+2

3. Dan Gilkes = 4+1

4. Michael Palm Toft = 4

5. Luke Harrison = 11

6. Ryan Ingram = 9

7. Nathan Ablitt = 6+1

Redcar Bears : 37 (79)

1. Charles Wright = 14

2. Simon Lambert = 4+1

3. Jake Mulford = 4+2

4. Jason Edwards = 7

5. Jake Allen = 6+1

6. Ace Pijper = 0

7. Jody Scott = 2+1

REDCAR returned to winning ways after a stunning speedway meeting as they overcame a spirited Workington side 46-44 at the ECCO Arena.

The highlight of the meeting came from the returning Bears legend Charles Wright in heat 13 who produced two stunning passes to win the race and send the home crowd into raptures. Teenage sensation Jody Scott top scored for the “Agilia” Bears with 15 whilst Drew Kemp led the Comets charge with an impressive 15+1.

Bears boss Gavin Parr admits consistency is an issue after an ECCO Arena classic. Parr said, “ I always thought Workington would give us a tough battle and so it proved. Things are a bit of a rollercoaster for us at the moment as most of the riders are searching for more consistency but we will keep working hard and try to come up with the answers.”

Wright’s return to the sport looked like it had got off to the worst possible start in heat one as he went through the tapes, but due to a tapes malfunction, all four riders were invited back for the re-run.

The re-run saw Wright pass Niklas Holm Jakobsen (who had replaced Vinnie Foord due to machinery issues) on bend two for the lead, and with Lambert ending lap one by going underneath Jakobsen, it looked set to be the dream start for Redcar until the Dane clipped Lambert’s back wheel and both men took a nasty tumble.

After a delay for medical attention to both, Jakobsen was excluded and withdrawn with a suspected wrist injury with Lambert and his machine battered and bruised. The 3rd staging saw Lambert excluded as his bike was not ready after the collision and Scott replaced the Bears number two.

The final staging of the race saw Wright gate, but with Jonas Jeppesen all over the skippers back wheel, heat one was far from done. Jeppesen looked to have passed Wright entering the final lap, but Wright blocked his run. However, Jeppesen dived inside Wright on bend three, only for the British number 2 to produce a mesmerising cutback to win, and with Scott 3rd, Redcar eventually began with a heat advantage.

The reserves race saw Ace Pijper lead from the gate, but the Bears starlet made a mess of bend three of the opening lap, allowing the lone Comet Max Perry through for the win in a shared heat on Teesside.

Kemp started his evening in scintillating style as he comfortably won heat three, and with Tate Zischke 2nd, the visitors hit the front. However, Redcar returned the favour in heat four as Scott rode a superb outside line to pass Perry, and with the Comets reserve focused on his compatriot, Allen stormed up the inside on the line to take 2nd and give Redcar a two point lead.

After Jeppesen passed Mulford to secure his first chequered flag of the night in a shared heat five, Wright made it two from two in heat six, and with Lambert battling past Perry on the last bend, the Bears had snuck into a 20-16 lead.

However, the Comets engine room pairing hit back again, this time in heat seven as Kemp won convincingly, and with Zischke passing Allen, the six man Comets were back level.

Scott continued his superb 2026 with a comfortable heat eight win, and with Lambert passing both Comets, Redcar’s four point lead was re-established. However, this was the end of the road for Lambert as the effects of his heat one crash saw him withdraw from the meeting.

After Batchelor won a shared heat nine, Kemp lowered Wright’s colours for the first time as he won heat 10, but with Zischke 4th, Redcar remained ahead.

Heat 11 saw the impressive Jeppesen win after an exciting tussle with Allen, but with Foord’s nightmare evening ending with another retirement, the gap remained at four points.

Heat 12 saw Scott gate and win convincingly , and with Jake Mulford riding an incredibly intelligent outside line to take the paid win, Kemp’s colours were lowered and Redcar had a 40-32 lead, much to the delight of the Bears fans.

After the interval, the aforementioned heat 13 saw Wright remind everyone why he is the King.

Batchelor and Jeppesen led convincingly from the gate and looked set to hit back with a maximum. However, Wright built up his speed and passed Jeppesen entering lap three. As the skipper kept plugging away on the outside, Batchelor turned his head to look for Wright on the inside entering lap four, but Wright flew around the outside and took the lead on the backstraight and secured the win with everyone inside the stadium struggling to believe what they had just seen.

With Wright’s win ensuring a shared race, Workington team manager Barry Collins used his tactical substitute in heat 14. The decision worked perfectly as Zischke won, and with tactical substitute Kemp 2nd, we had the sixth last heat decider of the season on home shale.

Heat 15 saw Kemp and Jeppesen gate, but Wright and Mulford both dived up the inside of the Dane entering lap two. However, Jeppesen made short work of Mulford but was some way behind Wright. However, every Redcar fan held their breath as Wright lifted violently on lap three but somehow regained control and then settled for second to secure a 46-44 home win.

Redcar Bears = 46

1. Charles Wright = 12+1
2. Simon Lambert = 3+1 Withdrawn
3. Jake Mulford = 5+2
4. Jason Edwards = 4+1
5. Jake Allen = 5+1
6. Ace Pijper = 2+2
7. Jody Scott = 15

Workington Comets = 44

1. Jonas Jeppesen = 10+1
2. Vinnie Foord = 1
3. Drew Kemp = 15+1
4. Tate Zischke = 7+2
5. Troy Batchelor = 7
6. Niklas Holm Jakobsen = 0 WITHDRAWN
7. Max Perry = 4

Tonigjts BSN Semi Final clash between Berwick and Redcar has been postponed.

We will advise of a re-staging date once known

After an extensive rehabilitation and plenty of practice laps, we are delighted to welcome club captain Charles Wright back into the Agilia Bears line-up for Friday’s crucial Cab Direct Championship clash with the Workington Comets.

Charles has spent almost four months on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury in the very first meeting of the season. Seeing our skipper back in Bears colours is a huge boost as we head into the business end of the campaign.

Charles’ return also means we say a fond farewell to Nicolai Klindt, who has done a tremendous job deputising at No. 1 during his absence. We’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Nicolai for his commitment and professionalism, and we wish him every success for the rest of the season.

Promoter Jamie Swales said:
“We’re obviously all delighted to see Charles back in the team. It was a nasty injury from what looked like a really innocuous fall, and at times we genuinely feared he might miss the rest of the season. To have him back for the run-in to the league campaign and the BSN Series semi-final is a massive boost for everyone at the club.

I also want to thank Nicolai for everything he has done for us. He slotted straight into the team, gave absolutely everything every time he wore the Bears race jacket, and I think he really enjoyed his time with us. He certainly built a great rapport with our supporters, and we’ll always be grateful for his contribution.”

Be there to give Charles the welcome home he deserves as the Bears take on the Workington Comets in a huge league encounter!

📍 ECCO Arena
🚪 Gates Open: 6:00pm
🏁 Tapes Up: 7:30pm

Let’s pack the stands and roar the skipper home

REDCAR’s recent stellar run was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday as the Edinburgh Monarchs strode to a convincing 57-33 win at Armadale. Such was the Monarchs dominance, they also took the aggregate point 98-82. Dan Thompson hit a sublime paid maximum, (13+2) for the hosts whilst Jake Allen plugged away with 8+2 for the Bears.

Quite simply, Edinburgh were much sharper from the starts, with six Monarchs taking the chequered flag in 13 heats, and with only six last places, it was a night to forget for the “Agilia” Bears. Redcar were forced to name a six man side for the second week running as Simon Lambert was ruled out with a knee injury.

Redcar boss Gavin Parr apologised to the supporters for the side’s display. Parr said, “ I want to apologise to our loyal fans for what was a pretty inept performance, the lads tried everything to get their bikes off the starts but nothing seemed to work.”

Edinburgh started the evening in superb style with a heat 1 maximum as Thompson won, and with Jonatan Grahn comfortably in 2nd, the Monarchs return to home shale after a months hiatus started perfectly.

The reserves race saw Jordy Loftus make an electric start for the win, but with Mitchell Cluff falling whilst challenging for 2nd, heat 2 was shared.

Edinburgh pressed home their early advantage in heat 3 as they recorded another maximum courtesy of Justin Sedgmen, and with the Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna 2nd, the Scottish side were in command.

Heat 4 saw the impressive Loftus jump out of the traps to take the win, and with Thompson pouncing on an error by Jody Scott, he claimed 3rd as Edinburgh collected their third heat advantage in just four races.

The 5th race of the match saw Edinburgh continue to punish Redcar from the tapes as Castagna took the chequered flag, and with ex-Bear Sedgmen tucked into 2nd, Redcar’s 8 point aggregate advantage (in the battle for the bonus point) was well and truly gone as the Monarchs led 22-8 on the night and 63-57 on aggregate.

Dan Thompson continued his unbeaten start to the meeting with a win in heat 6, but with Jake Allen 2nd, and reserve guest Vinnie Foord 3rd, the Bears at least stopped the bleeding.

Gavin Parr looked to turn the tide in heat 7 as he brought in Allen as a tactical substitute alongside Jason Edwards. However, Kye Thomson put pay to Redcar’s hopes of a heat advantage with a win, but with Cluff 4th, the Bears had steadied the ship somewhat.

However, it was only a mini reprieve for the visitors as Loftus made it three wins on the trot with a superb tapes to flag win, and with Grahn 3rd, Edinburgh were making a statement as they led 32-16 on home shale.

Heat 9 saw more Monarchs success as the engine room pairing of Castagna and Sedgmen combined for their 3rd heat advantage as the Italian passed Allen for the win, and with the Australian holding off the game Foord, Parr was left scratching his head in disbelief.

The next race saw Edinburgh again show Redcar the fastest way around Armadale as Grahn won, and with Thompson passing Edwards, the win was almost sewn up for the hosts.

Redcar finally found a heat advantage in heat 11 as Klindt won, and with rider replacement Scott 3rd, the visiting support on bend one had something to cheer.

Sedgmen took a tapes to flag win in heat 12, but with Loftus at the back, the young Australian’s hopes of a maximum were ended in his final programmed ride.

Redcar produced their 2nd heat winner in the penultimate race as Edwards won, despite Cluff initially being given the verdict, but with Scott 4th, there was no 2nd away heat advantage. The final heat of a sobering Scottish evening saw Thompson complete a fine paid maximum as Redcar filled in the minor placings.

It was a tough evening for the Bears and their travelling support. Redcar must put this result out of their minds as another important weekend lies ahead as the Bears host Workington in Cab Direct Championship action on Friday, and less than 24 hours later, the boys travel to Berwick for the 2nd leg of the BSN Series semifinal, with a 27 point lead.

Edinburgh Monarchs= 57 (98)

1. Dan Thompson = 13+2
2. Jonatan Grahn = 6+1
3. Justin Sedgmen = 9+1
4. Paco Castagna = 9+2
5. Kye Thomson = 9
6. Mitch Cluff = 2
7. Jordy Loftus = 9

Redcar Bears = 33 (82)

1. Nicolai Klindt = 7
2. Simon Lambert R/R
3. Jake Mulford = 3
4. Jason Edwards = 7
5. Jake Allen = 8+2
6. Vinnie Foord (G) = 3+3
7. Jody Scott = 5

Due to the England match now scheduled for Saturday night, we have made the decision to postpone the National Development League meeting between Middlesbrough and Leicester.

A rrestaging date will be announced in due course.

REDCAR capped off a remarkable 24 hours with a stunning 56-34 away win over the Plymouth Gladiators. The rejuvenated Bears side all provided a heat win as they consistently outgated the Gladiators to record an important Cab Direct Championship win. Nicolai Klindt hit 14+1 for the “Agilia” Bears whilst the Gladiators Scott Nicholls struck 16 for the hosts.

Astonishingly, Redcar recorded 21 heat advantages over the weekend, with 8 Bears riders hitting at least paid double figures across both matches.

Redcar team manager Gavin Parr was pleased for all connected with the club after a successful weekend. Parr commented, “It’s been a very positive 24 hours for us and it certainly gives us a boost of confidence for the rest of the season. I’m really pleased for everyone involved with the Bears. To only run one last place in 15 heats shows what we can do when we all click.”

Redcar started the meeting in superb style as Klindt gated for a comfortable win, but with the Gladiators guest Chris Harris passing Simon Lambert, he looked to be limiting the damage until his bike packed up on lap two, giving Lambert 2nd and Redcar the perfect start.

Heat two saw Jody Scott pick up an important opening win, and with Ace Pijper 3rd, (despite battling with Plymouth guest Ryan Ingram for 2nd), Redcar already had a six point buffer at the Coliseum.

Heat 3 saw Redcar’s 3rd heat advantage as Lambert (in as rider replacement for Jake Allen who was out with a shoulder injury) won convincingly, and with Mulford continuing on from his impressive last visit to Plymouth, the travelling Bears contingent were in dreamland.

Nicholls opened his account for the evening with a win after passing Edwards in a brilliant battle for the win which stemmed the Redcar flow of heat advantages, but with Ben Whalley 4th, the Bears early 10 point lead remained intact.

The 5th race of a brilliant Bears evening started with a faller as Klindt came down on the opening bend, with all four men invited back for the re-run. The re-run looked set to be a shared race as Klindt led comfortably, but with Daniel Klima’s bike suffering problems, Lambert happily took 3rd, giving Redcar another heat advantage and a 21-9 lead.

Heat 6 saw Pijper taste the Plymouth shale on bend 3 of the opening lap after battling with Harris and after a short delay, Harris was deemed to be the primary cause of the stoppage, and was excluded, much to the disgust of the Brit. The re-run saw Edwards ride brilliantly to scout every move from tactical substitute Nicholls to win, and with Pijper 3rd, the hosts had a mountain to climb.

After Nicholls and Joe Thompson both won shared races in heats 7 and 8 respectively, Redcar recorded their sixth heat advantage of the match in heat 9 as Pijper won, and with Edwards equally as comfortable in 2nd, Redcar were on the verge of a statement away win.

However, the Gladiators fans had their first heat advantage to cheer in heat 10 as Harris won, and with Thompson 2nd, Plymouth had a slither of hope. However, any hope that the Gladiators had was quickly quashed as Redcar hit back in heat 11 as Klindt won, and with Lambert 3rd, victory was all but assured.

Heat 12 saw Mulford continue on his merry way with a win, but with Whalley passing Pijper on the run to the line, Redcar were denied another 5-1, instead having to settle for their 5th 4-2 of the fixture.

After the evergreen Nicholls took the win in a shared heat 13, the Bears brought up their half century in heat 14 as Scott won, and with Mulford holding off Plymouth guest Tate Zischke for 2nd, the Bears had made a statement to the rest of the Cab Direct Championship.

The final race of the night saw Nicholls continue to impress with a tapes to flag win, but with Thompson 4th, the Gladiators could not finish with a heat advantage. All in all, redcar proved too consistent across the evening, and Plymouth simply had no answer.

Plymouth Gladiators = 34

1. Chris Harris (G) = 3
2. Joe Thompson = 6+1
3. Daniel Klima = 1
4. Tate Zischke (G) = 4
5. Scott Nicholls = 16
6. Ryan Ingram (G) = 2
7. Ben Whalley = 2

Redcar Bears = 56

1. Nicolai Klindt = 14+1
2. Simon Lambert = 8+2
3. Jake Mulford = 8+3
4. Jake Allen (R/R)
5. Jason Edwards = 11+2
6. Ace Pijper = 6
7. Jody Scott = 9+1

REDCAR put themselves in a brilliant position for BSN Series Final qualification with their best performance of the 2026 campaign. The “Agilia” Bears racked up a remarkable 12 heat advantages to record a 58-31 success over the Berwick Bandits.

Nicolai Klindt struck 14 for the Bears, with Jason Edwards (who was on a paid maximum until heat 15) hitting 12+1. Berwick number one Peter Klidemand top scored for the MAXiCab KO Cup Finalists with 10, but the Dane was one of only three race winners for the beaten Bandits.

Redcar team manager Gavin Parr was elated with the result but the boss indicated the job is not done. Parr said, “ It was a great performance and the lads put in a brilliant shift. They really showed what they can do but it is only half time in the tie, and Berwick are very strong at home.”

Berwick opened proceedings with a 4-2 heat advantage as Jye Etheridge won, and with Kildemand 3rd, Berwick had a lead. However, this was as good as it got for the visiting Berwick fans as the capitulation began in the reserves race. Ace Pijper marked his return to the reserve berth with a win, and with the stylish Jody Scott in 2nd, the Bears had a two point lead of their own.

Heat 3 saw drama from the start as ex-Bear Jordan Jenkins failed to get off the start line, leaving Victor Palovaara as the lone Bandit in heat 3. Edwards led the race, with Jake Mulford battling with Palovaara for the paid win, but Mulford’s bike gave up the ghost, leaving the two remaining riders to battle it out, with Edwards securing a relatively comfortable win to extend Redcar’s advantage to 3 points.

The first block of heats ended with Redcar’s second 5-1, but not after drama in the first running of the race. The original staging saw two races in one as Nick Morris led from Jake Allen whilst Berwick’s returning reserve Reid Battye initially led Scott for 3rd. However, Battye fell, and with the Australian unable to clear the track as Allen passed Morris the race was stopped and a re-run ordered.

The re-run saw Allen win, and with Scott 2nd ahead of Nick Morris, the Bears fans had hopes of a big first leg lead.

Heat 5 saw Edwards continue his unbeaten start with a win as he held off the hard charging Kildemand (who passed Mulford on lap 2), but with the Redcar man holding onto 3rd, the Bears had a remarkable 9 point advantage after 5 heats at the ECCO Arena.

Heat 6 saw Klindt take the chequered flag with relative ease, and with Simon Lambert 3rd, Redcar struck their 5th heat advantage with only six heats gone. More of the same followed in heat 7 as Pijper won, and with Allen 2nd, Bandits boss Stewart Dickson could not believe what he was watching.

More success for the hosts arrived in heat 8 as Scott won, and with Lambert passing Battye for 3rd, Redcar were putting the first leg beyond any doubt as they raced into a 32-15 lead. Dickson had more headaches before heat 9 as Morris suffered mechanical problems at the tapes before the race began, with the referee excluding the Australian from the tapes, with Dickson sending his heat leader off 15m.

Heat 9 saw another Bears maximum as Mulford won, and with Edwards passing Jack Smith for 2nd, the home support were in dreamland. Heat 10 saw Klindt win with ease, but with Jenkins passing Scott for 2nd, the Bandit limited the damage to a Bears 4-2.

Berwick finally secured their 2nd heat advantage in heat 11 as Kildemand took a much needed heat win for his side, and with Etheridge 3rd, the visiting support had something to cheer. Another heat advantage followed in heat 12 as Palovaara won, and with Smith 3rd, Berwick reduced the arrears to 19 points.

However, it was only a brief respite for the visitors as Klindt took his 3rd heat win in heat 13, and with Allen 3rd, Redcar’s 21 point advantage was restored. The penultimate race saw more positives for the Bears as Edwards continued his return to form with a win, and with Pijper 2nd, the hosts were having it all their own way.

Heat 15 saw Klindt take his 5th success of the night, but with Kildemand battling past Edwards, the Redcar number four was denied a paid maximum. Despite not securing a maximum 5-1, the Bears rounded off their best night of the season with their 12th heat advantage to secure a memorable win in their quest to retain their BSN Series crown.

Redcar Bears = 58

1. Nicolai Klindt = 14
2. Simon Lambert = 2
3. Jake Mulford = 4
4. Jason Edwards = 12+1
5. Jake Allen = 8+1
6. Ace Pijper = 8+1
7. Jody Scott = 10+2

Berwick Bandits = 31

1. Peter Kildemand = 10
2. Jye Etheridge = 6
3. Victor Palovaara = 6
4. Jordan Jenkins = 3
5. Nick Morris = 3
6. Jack Smith = 2
7. Reid Battye = 1