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Bears promoter Kevin Keay will again be on BBC Tees this evening, around 18:50. He will be looking ahead to tomorrow’s big meeting against Newcastle amongst other things. 

You can listen online from the BBC website or tune in on 95.0 FM.

There has been a late change to the Newcastle lineup, ahead of the clash with the Bears tomorrow night. Instead of operating rider replacement for Lewis Rose, Kevin Doolan will now guest in his place. 

Updated Newcastle lineup: Ludvig Lindgren, Kevin Doolan, Tero Aarnio, Matthew Wethers, Stuart Robson, Carl Wilkinson, Ashley Morris.

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears will be looking to finally get their home season underway on Thursday night, when they take on the Newcastle Diamonds in Championship Shield action (7:30pm start).

After a frustrating couple of rain-offs, the current forecast is looking much better for this week and we should see some speedway at the Media Prima Arena! The Bears fell to defeat on Sunday away at Peterborough, but co-promoter and team manager Jitendra Duffill thought it was definitely an improved performance:

Peterborough on Sunday was certainly a better showing from us than the previous weeks at Scunthorpe. We pushed them for most of the meeting but lacked vital heat wins. There were several positives to take away, the main one being the excellent performances from Tobias Busch and Theo Pijper. I keep telling our top 5 that their aim should be to at least score their average and the reserves will do the rest. 

Another of the big plus points was the performance of the new boys to the league Jordan Stewart and Mikkel B Andersen. Whilst Mikkel notched his first heat win in England, Jordan also rode well before a very nasty tumble in his second ride:

Jordan Stewart was much better than his score suggested and I have seen enough in him already to know he will go places. He is focused, ambitious, determined, well equipped, brave and rides the bike very well. I’m hoping that he will be fit for Thursday as he took a pretty nasty tumble at Peterborough. He sustained very severe bruising to his back and bottom and was in a lot of discomfort after the meeting. It will be a shame if he doesn’t make his home debut this week as he is desperate to ride the MPA.

It was also good to see Mikkel B Andersen record his first race win for us. He looked very quick in his last ride and beat the impressive Paul Starke comfortably. Give him and Jordy time and they will score well.

Redcar will be without Jonas B Andersen for this meeting, as he is riding in a Danish Championship qualifier on Friday. Paul Starke will guest in his place. Its the start of a busy few days for the Bears, as they face Lakeside away on Friday night before making the journey up the A19 to take on Newcastle on Sunday. It does however give the team a great opportunity to get some good track time and hopefully some positive results.

Newcastle will be without Lewis Rose for this clash, as he is riding for Kings Lynn at Swindon in the Premiership. They will operate rider replacement to cover for him. It is a side that knows the Media Prima Arena well though, with Ludvig Lindgren having gone well here in the past and Stuart Robson being an ex-Redcar rider. Duffill though points to the two reserves as to where the danger may come from:

This week we welcome our closest rivals Newcastle and they have a very close Teesside connection now with the arrival of Martin Phillips to their promotional ranks. Newcastle look to have 2 strong reserves like ourselves so this could be a very interesting encounter. Carl Wilkinson has plenty of experience of the MPA and could be a real danger tonight.

Fingers crossed the weather stays fine, and we see as many of you trackside as possible!

Redcar: Ben Barker (captain), Jordan Stewart, Paul Starke, Mikkel B Andersen, Matej Kus, Tobias Busch, Theo Pijper
Newcastle: Ludvig Lindgren, r/r for Lewis Rose, Tero Aarnio, Matthew Wethers, Stuart Robson, Carl Wilkinson, Ashley Morris

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears fell to a 51-39 defeat away at Peterborough in their first Championship meeting on Sunday Evening.

Similar to the Scunthorpe meeting, the meeting was very tight in the early stages. After an encouraging second place for Jordan Stewart in heat 1, and a 5-1 to Theo Pijper and Tobias Busch in heat two the Bears briefly led. After 5 heats the scores were level, before the Panthers started to edge clear. There we plenty of positives from the meeting though, with Ben Barker scoring a good 9 points, and both reserves scoring paid double figures. Tobias Busch top scored with 9+2, with 8+2 from Theo Pijper. The meeting also saw Mikkel B Andersen’s first heat win in the UK. 

For the Panthers, guest Paul Starke top scored with 12, but it was a solid effort from the whole side. The Bears are back in Championship Shield action on Thursday, as they take on near rivals Newcastle at the Media Prima Arena with a 7:30pm start.

Peterborough Panthers = 51 

1. Scott Nicholls – 1, 1, 3, 3 = 8
2. Emil Grondal – 3, 3, 2′, 0 = 8+1
3. Nike Lunna – 1, 1′, 0, 3 = 5+1
4. Paul Starke (G) – 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 = 12
5. Ulrich Ostergaard – 0, 3, 0, 2′, 1′ = 6+2
6. Tom Bacon – 0, 2′, 2, 1′ = 5+2
7. Simon Lambert – 1, 3, 3, 0 = 7

Redcar Bears = 39 

1. Ben Barker – 0, 3, 2, 3, 1, 0 = 9
2. Jordan Stewart – 2, F, 0, (TP – 1) = 2
3. Jonas B Andersen – 2, 1, (BB – 2), 1′ = 4+1
4. Mikkel B Andersen – 0, 0, (TB – 1′), 3, M/(TP – 3) = 3
5. Matej Kus – 2, 0, 2, 0 = 4
6. Tobias Busch – 3, 2, 1′, 1′, 2, R = 9+2
7. Theo Pijper – 2′, 1′, 1, 1, (TB – 0), 3 = 8+2

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears travel to Peterborough on Sunday evening to take on the Panthers in their first Championship fixture of the season, with a 5pm start.

The Bears will go into the fixture at full strength, and itching to get on track after another postponement at home on Thursday. Peterborough asset Ben Barker will lead the side at number 1, whilst Matej Kus has had some great meetings around Peterborough in the past. The Bears also look strong at reserve with Tobias Busch and Theo Pijper at 6 and 7. 

Peterborough go into the meeting without the unfortunate Michael Palm Toft, who was injured at Swindon on Thursday night. Paul Starke will guest in his place. They are led by 8 times British Champion Scott Nicholls, with ex Bear captain Ulrich Ostergaard providing solid backup.

PETERBOROUGH: Scott Nicholls, Emil Grondal, Nike Lunna, Paul Starke, Ulrich Ostergaard, Tom Bacon, Simon Lambert.
REDCAR: Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Jonas B Andersen, Mikkel B Andersen, Matej Kus, Tobias Busch, Theo Pijper.

We have an accommodation Offer for anyone travelling to Lakeside next week

We have a deal with the Thurrock Hotel for discounted accommodation and breakfast that is available to riders, officials and supporters alike.

£55 per single room including breakfast and taxes; £65 for a double or twin , same t’s and c’s.

The hotel is only about a mile from the track so very convenient.

Please quote promo code TLH when booking by phone

If booking on line use this link: https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=52764&Chain=10557&promo=TLH

Details about the hotel are here:

https://www.thurrockhotel.co.uk/

Unfortunately the bad weather has beaten us again, and tonights scheduled meeting against Scunthorpe has had to be postponed.

The track is still too wet, and with more rain forecast it will not have a chance to dry out. A re-staging date will be advised once known.  

The Bears are next in action away at Peterborough on Sunday.

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears get their home fixtures underway with a Championship Shield clash with Scunthorpe at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday, with a 7:30pm start.

The Bears will be taking on a strong Scunthorpe side who defeated them 58-32 last Friday night, but Jitendra Duffill has full faith that given a little time this side will show its potential:

Our first match against Scunthorpe was tough and they are a very, very good side. There is obviously a lot of room for improvement for us but it’s very early days I know we can be a lot better than we showed. This year we are looking at building for the future. We need to improve our asset base and have therefore brought in 2 very promising young talents in Jordan Stewart and Mikkel B Andersen. In a year or two we hope to reap the rewards and be in a strong position when it comes to team building. Building a side this year has been very challenging and I don’t want to be in the same position year on year. Sometimes you have to take a little step back in order to move forwards so we may need to be a little patient as our new boys find their feet. However, I believe that our side is full of potential and given time they will come good.

The Bears go into the meeting at full strength, with  Ben Barker and Matej Kus leading the charge from the heatleader positions. It is at reserve where the Bears look particularly strong however, with both Tobias Busch and new boy Theo Pijper performing well at Scunthorpe. 

Our first aim has to be to win at home so tonight is a good opportunity for us to make amends and will lay down a bit of a benchmark. It was encouraging to see our 2 reserves go well at Scunthorpe and Tobi and Theo are going to be so important to us.

Scunthorpe will go into the meeting without the unfortunate Steve Worrall, who broke his leg in the meeting on Friday after tangling with Jonas B Andersen. Lewis Kerr will guest in his place. Duffill and all at Redcar pass on their best wishes to Steve:

Best wishes to Steve Worrall who broke his leg last Friday. The accident looked to be a pure racing incident and was awful to witness. It’s such a shame for him to pick up a big injury as this year was looking to be a big one for him.

The Scunthorpe side has a number of riders who go well around Redcar, including last years Bears number 1 Jason Garrity and ex-Bear Josh Auty. It should prove to be an exciting meeting, and we hope to see you all there!

Redcar: Ben Barker (captain), Jordan Stewart, Jonas B Andersen, Mikkel B Andersen, Matej Kus, Tobias Busch, Theo Pijper
Scunthorpe: Lewis Kerr (guest), Stefan Nielsen, Josh Auty, Jake Allen, Jason Garrity (captain), Danny Phillips, Gino Manzares

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears fell to a 58-32 defeat at a highly fancied Scunthorpe in the Championship Shield on Friday night.

The meeting started off very tightly, and indeed there was only two points in it after 5 races, with the Scorpions just ahead. However, the Bears had no answer to Worrall, Garrity and Auty in particular and Scunthorpe ended up pulling away from the Bears. Worrall however did suffer an injury in an heat 11 clash with Jonas B Andersen which resulted in a trip to hospital for the Team GB Star. We wish him a speedy recovery.

For the Bears, Theo Pijper was the star of the show with 11 hard earned points. Barker scored 6+2 with Tobias Busch scoring 5+1. It was a tough night for the Bears however, and they will be looking for revenge when the teams meet at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 58 

1. Stevie Worrall 3, 2*, 3 = 8+1 PAID MAX (withdrawn)
2. Stefan Nielsen 2*, 3, 3, 2* = 10+2 PAID MAX
3. Josh Auty 3, 3, 2*, 3, 2* = 13+2 PAID MAX
4. Jake Allen R, 0, 3, 3 = 6
5. Jason Garrity 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 FULL MAX
6. Danny Phillips 1, 0, 0, F = 1
7. Gino Manzares 0, 1, 1, 1, 2* = 5+1

Redcar Bears = 32 

1. Ben Barker 1, 1*, 1^, 2, 1*, 0 = 6+2
2. Jordan Stewart 0, T, 0, 1* = 1+1
3. Jonas B. Andersen 2, 1*, X, 0 = 3+1
4. Mikkel B. Andersen 1*, 2, 1, 0 = 4+1
5. Matej Kus 0, 0, 2 = 2
6. Tobias Busch 2*, 1, R, 2 = 5+1
7. Theo Pijper 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1 = 11

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears make the trip to Lincolnshire to take on the Scunthorpe Scorpions tonight, in Championship Shield action (7:30pm start).

It will be the Bears first track action of the season, after their home opener was postponed yesterday, although Theo Pijper and Matej Kus have both rode in individual meetings elsewhere. Scunthorpe is a track the Bears normally perform well at, although this year sees a new look Scunthorpe side which features last years Bears number 1 Jason Garrity as well as Team GB star Steve Worrall. 

It is also a new look Bears side for this season, with only Ben Barker, Tobias Busch and Jonas B Andersen returning from last season. Mikkel B Andersen and Jordan Stewart will make their debuts in British Speedway, while Matej Kus returns to the Bears after a couple of seasons away and Theo Pijper comes in as a strong number 7.

Safe journey to all Bears fans making the trip!

Expected lineups:

Redcar Bears: 1. Ben Barker, 2. Jordan Stewart, 3. Jonas B. Andersen, 4. Mikkel B. Andersen, 5. Matej Kus, 6. Tobias Busch, 7. Theo Pijper.

Scunthorpe Scorpions: 1. Steve Worrall , 2. Stefan Nielsen, 3. Josh Auty, 4. Jake Allen, 5. Jason Garrity, 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Gino Manzares.