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The Media Prima Arena plays host to Dirt Track racing this weekend, for round 3 of the Flat Track nationals. Entry is free, with a rough schedule as follows:

Setup on Saturday from 9.00am
Practice and Qualifying sat – 3.00 – 4.30
Racing 6pm – 9pm
Bar and camping sat night

Sunday
Practice starts 10-10.30 aim to finish racing by 4pm

Entry is FREE so get down to the track to see the mayhem that is Dirt track racing!

Bears Bar open both days.

The new look Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears got off to a winning start, defeating the Berwick Bandits 50-40 at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.

It was a solid performance throughout, with Jonas B Andersen continuing his good recent form with a excellent 11+3. Jordan Stewart supported well with 10 points, and there were encouraging debuts for Dimitri Berge and Thomas Jorgensen who both scored 8 points. 

Aaron Summers had a good night for the visitors on his return to Redcar, scoring an impressive 15 points, with good support from David Howe and Theo Pijper who both scored 7.

The two sides meet again in Berwick on Saturday night.

Redcar Bears – 50 

1. Ty Proctor (G): 1, 3, 2, T = 6
2. Mikkel B Andersen: 3, 1, 2′, 0 = 6+1
3. Dimitri Berge: 0, 2, 3, 3, 0 = 8
4. Jonas B Andersen: 3, 1′, 2′, 2′, 3 = 11+3
5. Thomas Jorgensen: 2, 2, 1, 3 = 8
6. Nathan Greaves: 0, 1′, 0 = 1+1
7. Jordan Stewart: 3, 0, 3, 0, 1, 3 = 10

Berwick Bandits – 40 

1. Aaron Summers: 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 15
2. Kevin Doolan: 0, 0, 0, 2′, 1′ = 3+2
3. Jye Etheridge: 1′, FX = 1+1 WITHDRAWN
4. David Howe: 2, 3, 1, 1 = 7
5. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen: 1, 2, 1, 0 = 4
6. Dany Gappmaier: 1′, 0, 0, 2 = 3+1
7. Theo Pijper: 2, 3, 1, 1, 0 = 7

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears welcome 3 new signings as they take on Berwick at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night (7:30pm start).

Thomas Jorgensen, Dimitri Berge and Nathan Greaves all come in for a Bears side who could really do with a victory. With number 1 Ben Barker also injured, popular Aussie Ty Proctor comes in as a guest for the Bears. Co-promoter Jitendra Duffill is pleased with the changes made:

I think that we look much stronger now, especially at home and our aim is to start climbing the league table. I must thank those of you that have shown support, through continued attendance or kind comments and I can assure you that went a long way. I hope to repay your confidence and support through improved performances, starting Thursday!

Berwick come to Teesside packed with a team full of Redcar specialists, with the added incentive of having recently released Bear Theo Pijper in their ranks. Duffill is well aware of the threat they pose:

This week’s visitors Berwick have started the season in decent form and they have plenty of experience of the MPA. Doolan, Etheridge, Summers and Pijper are all ex-Bears and Theo Pijper in particular will be keen to prove a point. We will have to be on top of our game and it should be a good test for our new look side. Both the home and away leg of this encounter could go either way and we should see some thrilling racing. Thanks to Ty Proctor for stepping in to replace Ben for both matches. Ty is in great form and he absolutely loves it here at Redcar.

Redcar: Proctor (guest), Mikkel B Andersen, Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Jorgensen, Greaves, Stewart
Berwick: Summers, Doolan, Etheridge, Howe, Jakobsen, Gappmeier, Pijper

The Media Prima Arena plays host to Dirt Track racing this weekend, for round 3 of the Flat Track nationals. Entry is free, with a rough schedule as follows:

Setup on Saturday from 9.00am
Practice and Qualifying sat – 3.00 – 4.30
Racing 6pm – 9pm
Bar and camping sat night

Sunday
Practice starts 10-10.30 aim to finish racing by 4pm

The Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears have made 2 further changes ahead of their Championship League encounter with Berwick at the Media Prima Arena this Thursday, subject to BSPA approval.

Making their debuts for the Bears alongside Thomas Jorgensen will be talented young French prospect Dimitri Bergé and rising British star Nathan Greaves.

Bergé comes in to replace Matej Kus, who has struggled to recapture the form he showed when last racing in the UK whilst Greaves replaces Tobias Busch, who has a hand injury, on a 28 day contract.

Team manager and co-promoter Jitendra Duffill added, “Results so far this season have been very disappointing and we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to strengthen. I knew that we would have a few points to play with from June 1st and I have considered every option available to us. Bringing in Thomas and Dimitri gives us the 2 heat leaders that we have been missing so far this year and our side now has a much better balance to it. We have a lot of work to do from here and although it will be very difficult for us to push for a play off place, that doesn’t mean that we should give up and I hope this proves to our supporters that we are doing our best to put things right.”

Duffill was also keen to express his thanks to Matej Kus for his efforts this year. “I’m quite upset to be honest at having to let Matej go. He has made every effort possible to put things right and I still think that he will come good very soon. He is much better than he has shown so far this year, but both the rider and club are under extreme pressure to perform so I believe this is now the best move for both parties. Everyone here at Redcar wish him well and I’m sure he will be snapped up quickly by another club.”

Bergé is known to Bears supporters after a short spell with Redcar in 2015. He arrives on an average of 6.91 which he achieved riding for Sheffield in 2016. Duffill added, “Dimitri is very excited to be back racing in the UK and the Media Prima Arena will suit him well. He is a rider who thrives on big/fast tracks and I am sure he will be very quick around our circuit. His signing will give us extra strength at the top end of our team and with current rider availability poor, I think we have done well to tempt him back to Redcar.”

Tobias Busch sustained nasty burns to his left hand last week after a freak accident at home. With no definite timescale on his recovery and the only facility available to the Bears being rider replacement, Duffill doesn’t want to take any risks and has opted for a 28 day replacement in Nathan Greaves. Greaves is currently racing for Wolverhampton in the SGB Premiership and comes in on a converted average of 3.89, well over half a point lower than the 4.51 he achieved racing for Ipswich last year. “Nathan was very impressive last week when guesting for us against Sheffield. He is a rider that never gives up and I am sure he will do a good job for us at reserve. He is a rider I rate highly and he is very keen to make an impression. It gives Tobias time to recover from his injuries as I am reluctant to use a rider unless they are at 100%. We must perform well over the next few weeks as we aim to climb the league table and restore supporter confidence.”

Bears fans will be able to watch Dimitri Bergé race before Thursday as he will be riding for France in the FIM Speedway Of Nations in Manchester tomorrow night. The meeting will be screened live from the National Speedway Stadium on BT Sports at 6.30pm.

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears have released Matej Kus from the side and hope to be able to name his replacement, pending BSPA approval, within the next 48 hours.

“Matej has immense talent but just hasn’t showed it often enough this season.” said co- promoter Kevin Keay. “The team hasn’t performed to expectations and we can’t afford to wait any longer for the real Matej to come forward so we have to make changes now. On his low average I’m sure he will be snapped up by another club and start banging in big scores again but sadly that won’t be with the Bears. He’s a smashing guy and we wish him well but we have the chance to strengthen and we need to take it.”

With Tobias Busch now having serious burn injuries and Ben Barker also on the injury list this may not be the only change for this week’s matches against the Bandits from Berwick.
Jitendra Duffill should have some exciting news to announce very soon on the team front and this will be released as soon as we have the required approval from the BSPA.

Ben Barker has targeted the British Final at Belle Vue for his return and will be visiting the medics later this week to confirm his intentions.

Next weekend the Media Prima Arena plays hosts to the Dirt track racers with racing on both Saturday evening and all day Sunday with qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
Entry is FREE so get down to the track to see the mayhem that is Dirt track racing!

Despite a brave effort from a depleted Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing’ Bears, they fell to a 50-40 defeat at home to Sheffield on Friday night, meaning their KO Cup dream is over for another season.

Against a good Sheffield team, it was a battling performance from the Bears. Jordan Stewart continued his excellent form with 11+1, with guest Michael Palm Toft scoring 11 and Jonas B Andersen also scoring 11.

Ex-Bear Charles Wright top scored for Sheffield with 14 points. 

Bears promoter Kevin Keay was pleased with the efforts of his makeshift side:

We asked the lads to battle for every point and I’m proud to say they did. We can hold our heads up as we gave them a hard battle and we move on to the next match with the same attitude.

Redcar Bears = 40 (68)

1. Michael Palm Toft (G) – 3, 2, 1, 2, 3 = 11
2. Tobias Busch R/R (NG 1, NG 1′, JBA 2, JS 0)
3. Jonas B. Andersen – 3, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1 = 11
4. Matej Kus – 2′, FX, 0 = 2+1
5. Rob Shuttleworth (G) – 0, 0, 0 = 0
6. Nathan Greaves (G) – 1, 1, 1′, 1′, 1′, 0 = 5+3
7. Jordan Stewart – 3, 2, 2, 1′, 2, 1 = 11+1
8. Gavin Parr –

Sheffield Tigers = 50 (94)

1. Kyle Howarth – 0, 3, 3, 1 = 7
2. Todd Kurtz – 1, 2′, 3, 0 = 6+1
3. Jan Graversen – 0, 1, 2′, 3, 0 = 6+1
4. Lasse Bjerre – 1, 3, 3, 3 = 10
5. Charles Wright – 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 14
6. Jack Smith – 0, X, 1, 0 = 1
7. James Shanes – 2, 1, 0, 2′ = 5+1

The decimated Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears have received the news that Ben Barker suffered a multi fractured collarbone and ribs in last night’s crash at Sheffield and Jack Parkinson- Blackburn dislocated his shoulder and damaged an ankle. The club wishes both riders a speedy recovery. 

The Bears have brought in Michael Palm-Toft as a guest tonight to replace Barker with Nathan Greaves replacing the missing Mikkel B. Andersen ( recalled to Denmark). Rob Shuttleworth will act as the replacement for Parkinson- Blackburn.

Kevin Keay appealed for the fans to get behind the club in this difficult period: “Now is the time for the fans to show their support and get behind the club. We need to fight both on and off track to keep the club moving forward. This is when true supporters show there colours and understand the situation we find ourselves in. We may not win the tie overall but we will be doing our utmost to make the Tigers fight for it.

Ben Duffill is working overtime behind the scenes on the team front and we just may even have some good news in the next few days.”

Following the injuries to Ben Barker and Jack Parkinson-Blackburn last night at Sheffield, the Redcar Bears have now brought in Michael Palm Toft and Rob Shuttleworth in their place. We thank them for stepping in on short notice. 

The lineup for the Bears is now: Michael Palm Toft, r/r for Tobias Busch, Jonas B Andersen, Matej Kus, Rob Shuttleworth, Nathan Greaves, Jordan Stewart

The latest news we have is that Ben Barker suffered a broken Collarbone and a broken rib, whilst Parkinson-Blackburn suffered a dislocated shoulder. We wish both riders all the best in their recoveries. 

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing’ Bears suffered a tough night at Sheffield on Thursday night, losing 44-28 with the meeting being abandoned after 12 heats due to the 10pm curfew being reached.

A heat 12 crash involving Bears number 1 Ben Barker and guest Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, which involved both riders being treated on track by the ambulance, was the final action of the night. We wish both riders a very speedy recovery, and will provide an update on their injuries once known.

Jordan Stewart and Mikkel B Andersen continued their fine form at reserve, with Stewart scoring 10+1 and Andersen 8+1. Ex-Bear Charles Wright top scored for the Tigers with 9 points. 

Sheffield Tigers = 44 

1. Kyle Howarth : 2, 3, 3 = 8
2. Todd Kurtz : 1′, 2′, 3, 2′ = 8+3
3. Jan Graversen : 1′, 1, 1, 3 = 6
4. Lasse Bjerre : 2, 3, 3 = 8
5. Charles Wright : 3, 3, 3 = 9 MAXIMUM
6. Jack Smith : 0, 1, 0 = 1
7. James Shanes : 1, 1, 1, 1 = 4

Redcar Bears = 28 

1. Ben Barker : 0, 2, 2, F/X = 4
2. Tobias Busch R/R : (MBA – 3, MK – 0, JBA – 0, JS – 1′ = 4+1)
3. Jonas B Andersen : 0, F/X, 0, 1, (JS – F/X) = 1
4. Matej Kus : 3, 0, 2, 0 = 5
5. Jack Parkinson Blackburn (G) : 0, 0, (JS – 2) = 0
6. Mikkel B Andersen : 3, 2′, 1, F, 2 = 8+1
7. Jordan Stewart : 3, 2, 2, 2, 1′, F/X = 10+1

The sides meet again on Friday night at the Media Prima Arena, with a 7:30pm start.