Brilliant Bears topple the Kings!
Redcar produced a peerless performance to defeat Kent in an exciting SGB Championship meeting at the Media Prima Arena. The Bears put their recent slow starts behind them as they led after heat 2 for the entirety of the meeting.
The first heat saw the former Grand Prix star Troy Batchelor take a comfortable win from the gate but with Redcar filling the minor placings the scores were level. The second race was a tapes to flag win for the impressive rising star Jordan Jenkins who was fantastic throughout the evening. The first maximum arrived in heat 3 with Lewis Kerr started his night as he meant to go on with a win and with Jake Allen riding shotgun in second Redcar opened up a 4 point lead over Kent.
After the second tractor grade the excitement levels were turned up a notch as James Sarjeant left everything on the track to pass Dan Gilkes on the final bend to secure a Bears 5-1 to extend the Teessider’s lead to 8. Redcar’s 5-1 gave Kent the opportunity to use their tactical substitute, a position Redcar have found themselves in three times in their last three matches. The tactical substitute proved an astute move as Batchelor combined with the evergreen Scott Nicholls to bring Kent within 4 of the play-off chasing Bears. Charles Wright ensured the Kings could not bring the meeting closer as he took a fine win in heat 10 but with James Sarjeant at the back Redcar’s lead was only a potentially precarious 4 points. Sarjeant had a much improved evening for the Bears with his 4 races yielding paid 7 and the Yorkshireman will be hoping this signals the start of a strong end of season run for him.
Redcar’s lead was cut to a mere 2 points as Troy Batchelor just managed to get the better of Michael Palm-Toft whilst Ryan Kinsley gave his all in his attempts to pass Ben Morley but the former Bear rode cleverly to hold him off. As has been customary in recent weeks, Redcar turned on the style in the closing stages of the meeting as they recorded three 4-2 heat advantages and a 5-1 to finish the action in style and send another large crowd home happy. Heat 13 was a cracking race as Charles Wright squeezed past Batchelor on the opening lap whilst Palm-Toft used the inside line to pass Batchelor to send the Redcar faithful into raptures. The line Palm-Toft used is rarely used so late in a Media Prima Arena meeting and all plaudits must be given to the Dane for using his Redcar track knowledge to glide into 2nd place. Lewis Kerr’s fruitful evening earned him an appearance in heat 15 and he showed the Bears supporters why he has been signed with a brilliant win to ensure Redcar hit 50 points against a stubborn Kent side who lacked support for Nicholls and Batchelor.
Kerr was understandably delighted with his second outing as a full-time Bear, “I used a different engine tonight, I found some speed so I’m really pleased and tonight was a good team performance and I really enjoyed it. We have a strong top 4 and with Jordan (Jenkins) flying at reserve I believe we can beat anyone! Finally, I had a few offers from other clubs after Eastbourne’s sad demise but I didn’t want to ride anywhere but Redcar as I love the track and I have only heard good things about the club and the promotion!”
Redcar = 51
1. Charles Wright = 10
2. James Sarjeant = 4+3
3. Jake Allen = 7+1
4. Lewis Kerr = 12
5. Michael Palm Toft = 10+1
6. Ryan Kinsley = 0
7. Jordan Jenkins = 8
Kent = 39
1. Troy Batchelor = 11+1
2. Ben Morley = 2
3. Paul Starke = 6+1
4. Cameron Heeps = 5+1
5. Scott Nicholls = 11
6. Jake Mulford = 2
7. Dan Gilkes = 2+1