Swales in Bears’ new Track Curator
Although it wasn’t the final member of the 2021 squad, the Redcar Bears promotion did manage to make a major signing this weekend. Experienced track curator Jonathan Swales will be the man to take over from ‘Terry the Track’ and will look after the race surface at the Media Prima Arena in 2021.
Ex-rider and 1999 Conference League Riders’ Champion Swales is the brother of Bears’ Promoter Jamie Swales and son of former track curator Tony Swales. He has spent years preparing the track the other side of the A19 for Newcastle; his work there vastly improved the Byker based race surface and earned him a reputation as one of the best track curators in the country.
Bears Boss Jitendra Duffill said, “Jamie, Jade and myself are delighted to have come to an agreement with Jonathan. Terry the Track had done such a fantastic job in is time with us and he left very big boots to fill. Jonathan was always the person that we hoped to replace him with, but there were a few hoops to jump through surrounding his work commitments and I’m very grateful that he and his family were willing to make the changes needed to make this happen.”
Duffill continued, “Jonathan is no stranger to the Media Prima Arena; he and his wife Rachael have helped regularly over the last few years on race nights as well as helping out behind the scenes when they could. He is a local lad and his family probably have the longest history of any when it comes to being associated with speedway on Teesside. We have very high standards when it comes to our track preparation and Jonathan allows us to maintain those standards. He is one of the very best and we couldn’t be any happier with our latest acquisition. I hope people realise just how big a coup this is for the club!”
Supporters are asked to keep an eye out for a club questionnaire which will be circulated online in the next few days. Club bosses are keen to get the opinions of their fans following a survey which was carried out in 2019, as they approach the 2021 season.
Duffill explained, “It’s been a difficult year and I suspect some of our fans may have felt a little distanced from the club in this time. So, I’m really keen to give everyone the chance to speak to us and to offer their thoughts. We also have some queries relating to our season ticket holders, given that we will have fewer fixtures at the MPA this year. The questionnaire will be a simple online form that can be completed on a computer or mobile device and should only take a few minutes to complete.”