Jenkins stars in big Bears win!
Redcar produced another fantastic home performance to see off the current Championship leaders, Leicester 51-39 at the ECCO Arena. The meeting was one of the best advertisements you will see for British Speedway in many a year and the fans in attendance were treated to classic racing. Jordan Jenkins scored a fantastic paid 13 for Redcar with Kyle Howarth hitting 12 for the Lions.
Nick Morris won the opener at a canter but with the Bears packing into the minor placings, Leicester could not gain an early lead. Jenkins’ night started in perfect fashion as he gated to win heat 2 comfortably with Kyle Bickley getting his first paid win as a Bear to send Redcar ahead after heat 2. Another heat advantage followed for the fast starting Bears as Erik Riss held off Richie Worrall for the win and with Kasper Andersen comfortably gaining third, Redcar went 6 ahead.
Kyle Howarth started his evening in impressive fashion with a tapes to flag heat 4 win but with the Bears duo in second and third, Leicester still could not gain a heat advantage. Riss made it back to back heat wins with a superb defensive ride to hold off Morris but with Andersen retiring at the back, Leicester stayed within 6.
Heat 6 was another shared race with Howarth again showing the Redcar pairing a clean pair of heels. Leicester boss Stewart Dickson played his tactical substitute card in heat 7 but the desired outcome was not achieved as Lewis Kerr won from the gate to nullify Morris and Worrall.
Jenkins popped out of the gate to win heat 8 with Mountain riding the boards to hold off Edwards who was looking quick on the kerb. Nevertheless, with another home heat advantage, Redcar surged 8 ahead. Heat 9 saw 2 unbeaten riders in Howarth and Riss battle it out with Howarth taking yet another tapes to flag win despite late pressure from Andersen as Redcar again settled into the minor placings.
Edwards underlined his vast 2022 improvement with a fantastic heat 10 success as he passed Worrall for the win. Worrall and Wright then made contact at the conclusion of lap 2 which gave Wright the impetus to dive up the inside of Worrall to send the home fans delirious as Redcar went 36-24 ahead. At the end of the race, Worrall was clearly unhappy with Wright.
Leicester hit back with their solitary 5-1 of the evening in heat 11 as Morris expertly team rode Connor Mountain home to keep Leicester interested. That interest soon faded in heat 12 with one of the best rides you will ever see around Redcar. Jenkins was stone last heading into lap 3 but the flying Redcar reserve passed Clegg on the outside and then dived up the inside of Worrall on the final lap to join Riss at the front for a Bears 5-1.
More exhilarating speedway followed in heat 13 as Leicester initially gated on a 5-1 but going into the opening bend of lap 2, Morris, Wright and Kerr were 3 abreast. Kerr pushed Morris wide who proceeded to clip the fence which left Wright through to join Kerr at the front to ensure the win for the hosts and no Jubilee group points for Leicester.
Connor Mountain won heat 14 in a Lions 4-2 to save some face for the visitors with heat 15 yet again providing fantastic entertainment. Howarth and Morris looked set to send the Lions support home with a consolation 5-1 until Jenkins built up his speed on the outside once again and the former Mildenhall man succeeded as he pipped Morris for second to cap off a memorable evening for “The Jet”.
Jenkins was understandably delighted with his performance, “Tonight was a real tough test but it was a good night for the team and me personally with paid 13. I used a different engine tonight which I brought back from Poland and it worked wonders.”
Redcar Bears = 51
1. Charles Wright = 7+3
2. Jason Edwards = 7+1
3. Erik Riss = 10+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 5
5. Lewis Kerr = 8+1
6. Kyle Bickley = 2+1
7. Jordan Jenkins = 12+1
Leicester Lions = 39
1. Nick Morris = 11+1
2. Connor Mountain = 9+1
3. Richie Worrall = 5+1
4. Dan Thompson R/R
5. Kyle Howarth = 12
6. Max Clegg = 1
7. Joe Thompson = 1