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Unfortunately,  due to the extremely wet weather conditions recently and with more wet weather forecast the meeting on Thursday has had to be postponed. The staff have been unable to get the racing surface anywhere near rideable and so the club will look to rearrange the meeting for a date in early May.

The Redcar clubhouse has a new ‘Tribute ‘ section to those riders who were awarded a testimonial whilst riding at the former Cleveland Park Stadium. Pete Reading, Steve Wilcock and Geoff Pusey all served Teesside/ Middlesbrough loyaly and deserve a mention among the history of speedway on Teesside.

The Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears press day turned out to be a very disappointing wash out as constant heavy rain meant there was no chance of a wheel being turned in anger. Both the Bears and Erimus Cubs sides had to settle for a few quickly taken photographs and head for a hot cuppa in the Bears bar and a chat with a few hardy fans who turned up for autographs. The weather has put a stop to any further improvements progress around the Media Prima Arena and fingers are being crossed that we see some blue sky very soon.

After last nights successful ‘ Meet the Riders ‘ evening the Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears team are off to the Children’s ward at James Cook Hospital to deliver Easter eggs around the wards. 

Unfortunately due to consistent rain the riders will not get out on track today but will be available at the track for autographs and photograph opportunities from around midday.

Jordan Stewart’s much awaited race debut due to take place at Workington this Saturday will have to be delayed. A final document enabling Jordan to get his S.C.B. clearance has been delayed in the postal system and it’s proving a frustrating delay for Jordan and for Redcar.

Co- Promoter Kevin Keay said “We were told the document would be delivered within 10 days but that passed today and it hasn’t turned up. Apparently they only get delivered on Mondays and Wednesday’s and this means it won’t turn up till next Wednesday now due to the bank holidays. I’ve asked the SCB if there’s anything that can be done to allow him to race but without a copy of this document he can’t race even though everything else is in place. It’s very annoying but at least Jordan is here and can get some practice in this weekend.”

Meanwhile fans wanting to purchase this week’s bumper season preview of the Speedway Star can do so from the track Office on Saturday or at the meet the riders night on Friday in the Bears Bar.

There here!

New Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears badges for 2018 and the limited edition Tyre Fund badges for those supporters who join the club this season and benefit from the exclusive rewards open to them.

The Redcar management would like to thank those volunteers that give up their time and helped out at the track this weekend. Co-Promoter Kevin Keay said “We were very behind with our schedule but thanks to the hard work put in by the volunteers over the weekend we have made up for lost time and literally should be back on track for Press day next Saturday. I’d like to give my personal thanks to those that did some marvellous work over both days”

Fans can see the new Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears team at a meet the riders night next Friday in the Bears Bar or at the track on Saturday with a 12 noon start time.

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears will, weather permitting, be on track at the Media Prima Arena on Saturday 31st March for the official ‘press day’  where fans will get the opportunity to see the 2018 Bears in action.

New signing Jordan Stewart is currently on his way from Australia and Mikkel B.Andersen will be joining him on track with his brother Jonas.
Theo Pijper and Tobias Busch form a very strong reserve pair with Matej Kus and Ben Barker spearheading the side.

Whilst the very wet winter has delayed much of the work around the stadium, including track preparation, it is hoped for a spell of dry weather so that everything will be ready for the Julie Lewis meeting on the 5th of April.

‘Paint gang’ and ‘ tidy uppers’ will be out in force this weekend so bring a brush and contribute to the pre season preparations.

Press day will start at 12 noon with just a £1 entry going to charity.

An exciting and familiar line up has been assembled for the upcoming Julie Lewis Memorial. Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears start their season on Thursday 5th April with a 16 rider individual meeting dedicated to long time club servant Julie Lewis. All 16 riders will take 5 rides each in a 20 heat format with the top scorer on the night being declared the overall winner.

This meeting will feature all seven of the 2018 Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears squad; Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Jonas B Andersen, Mikkel B Andersen, Matej Kus, Tobias Busch and Theo Pijper. The fixture is aimed at giving them some competitive track time before the League Cup campaign starts the following week.

Invitations have been accepted by 9 other riders to join them and all have experience of riding the Media Prima Arena, with 7 of them having represented the club at some time in the past. Team Manager Jitendra Duffill has assembled the line up. He explained:

Our aim was to give our boys some competitive track time against a field which reflected the abilities throughout our side. It is important to test all 7 riders in our side and to do that we needed a mixed field comprising of Championship League heat leaders, second strings and reserves. The line up I have assembled will do that will be a good test for our newcomers without adding any pressure on the night.

Amongst the favourites to take the title will be former Bears riders Stevie Worrall, Aaron Summers and Ty Proctor. Stevie Worrall is one of Britain’s rising stars and made his mark in both the Premier League and on the international stage with Team GB in 2017. Aaron Summers and Ty Proctor are track specialists and both are very fast around the Media Prima Arena.

Joining them are rising British talents Nathan Greaves, Matt Williamson and Danny Ayres. All 3 made great strides in 2017 and Ayres and Greaves in particular will be keen to impress as they look to secure a Championship League side for 2018.

Completing the line up are another 3 former Bears; Coty Garcia, Jacob Bukhave and Jye Etheridge. Argentinian Coty Garcia spent much of 2017 with Redcar and will be race sharp after spending most of our winter competing back home. Dane and Redcar Bears asset Bukhave is keen to impress and was in very close contention for a Bears team spot in 2018. Bukhave was impressive and scored well in his 2 appearances here last year. Jye Etheridge lines up for Berwick again this year after making huge strides in 2017. He was outstanding on his last visit to the Media Prima Arena and was unfortunate to pick up an injury on the same day.

Local rider and 2018 Buxton team member David Wallinger will take the first reserve spot as the Redcar promotion continue to keep a close eye on his progress. Wallinger made a few appearances for the Bears in 2017 and made very good progress with Stoke in the National League.

This meeting promises to be an exciting opener to the 2018 season. Said Duffill:

We wanted to open with a proper 16 rider individual. I have never been a fan of previous 12 riders formats and we have listened to feedback from our supporters which have reflected my views. Every competitor will take 5 rides with the top scorer being declared the winner. We believe that this individual format is what spectators want and it also represents value for money as people will see an extra 5 heats of Speedway for their money in comparison to a league or cup fixture.

The 2018 Redcar Bears have their Press and Practice day on Saturday 31st March with team bonding and ‘Meet the Riders’ the day before. 

Tapes up for the Julie Lewis Memorial will be at the usual start time of 7.30 on Thursday 5th April. Complete line up (riding order to be confirmed);

Complete Line Up;

Ben Barker

Jordan Stewart

Jonas B Andersen

Mikkel B Andersen

Matej Kus

Tobias Busch

Theo Pijper

Aaron Summers 

Stevie Worrall

Ty Proctor 

Matt Williamson 

Nathan Greaves 

Coty Garcia 

Danny Ayres 

Jye Etheridge 

Jacob Bukhave

R1 David Wallinger

R2 TBC

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears promoter Kevin Keay will be appearing on BBC Tees this evening during the stations Sports Show. He will be previewing the season ahead, and will be on around 6:45pm.

To listen live online, please visit BBC Tees here