Bears and Brummies battle ahead of play-off push!
Redcar head to the Midlands this Wednesday, (19:30 start) in search of crucial points to bolster their hopes of a top 2 finish in the Championship standings. Fellow play-off hopefuls Birmingham are also gunning for important points to keep their hopes alive as they look to continue their recent impressive form which saw them take two points on their weekend visit to Edinburgh whilst the Midlands outfit defeated league leaders Poole at Perry Barr last Wednesday.
The race for automatic qualification through to the semi-finals is likely to go down to the wire. Redcar currently sit in second spot on 38 points with closest rivals Glasgow just behind by 5 points with 4 matches remaining, 3 of which take place at home. The Bear’s need to see results in their one remaining home fixture, and two away!
The “Agilia” Bears have visited the Perry Barr circuit twice this year in KO Cup clashes. The first clash was a controversial affair which was ultimately abandoned after 9 heats with Redcar leading by 8 points at the time of the stoppage. Redcar’s second visit was a struggle with the Teesside outfit having to name 3 guests and rider replacement due to a mid-season injury crisis. The meeting ended in a resounding 55-35 success for Birmingham which ended Redcar’s KO Cup reign.
The visitors head into the meeting with 6 of their regular septet available as Ryan Kinsley is forced to sit out due to having no racewear or van after his vehicle was stolen in the early hours of Saturday morning. Ryan’s bikes have now been recovered but the former Kings Lynn rising star will need a little bit of time to get everything he requires back in order. Redcar boss Jade Mudgway has called upon the services of Mildenhall’s Jason Edwards to guest in his place. Edwards scored 3 points on his last visit to Perry Barr in late August.
Birmingham name a 6 man side for the all-important clash with Valentin Grobauer unavailable after picking up an ankle injury at home last Wednesday, rider replacement will operate in his absence.
Redcar’s Jordan Jenkins is in improved form and is under no illusions how important the clash is for Redcar, “I think it’s an important meeting for us and hopefully we can go and win. This will be Redcar’s third meeting at Birmingham this year and after the first one being abandoned and then losing the second I think all the boys will be hungry for the win. It’s coming down to the business end of the season and we are all doing well and getting on well as a team. Finally, we have just got to ride how we did against Kent, keep making starts and we will be okay.”
Birmingham “Edwards Plumbing” Brummies
1, Chris Harris 8.36 (C)
2. Rider replacement for Valentin Grobauer 5.05
3. James Shanes 5.44
4. Ashley Morris 5.13
5. Erik Riss 8.20
6. Paco Castagna 4.79
7. Jack Thomas 2*
TM: Laurence Rodgers
Redcar “Agilia “Bears.
1. Charles Wright 8.86 (C)
2. James Sarjeant 4.78
3. Jake Allen 8.15
4 Lewis Kerr 7.48
5. Michael Palm Toft 7.28
6. Jason Edwards 3.17 (G)
7. Jordan Jenkins 2*
TM Jade Mudgway