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After a busy weekend, Redcar Agilia Bears return to the Media Prima Arena this Friday to take on one of the favourites for the title this year, Sheffield Tigers with a 7:30pm start.

It was a good start to the season for the Bears, with 2 wins out of three and some silverware in the form of the Tyne Tees Trophy. Promoter Jitendra Duffill was a happy man with what he saw from his side:

I was very pleased with what I saw from our side last week. We had contributions from every member of our team and I found that very encouraging. We will always have meetings where one or two riders have an ‘off’ night, but we should have enough strength in depth to cover for that and have riders who can step up to the plate when needed.

Our target at Newcastle on Sunday was never to win the Tyne Tees Trophy on aggregate, but to win on the night. We were very clear about that in our team talk on track and believed that it was achievable. The victory was a superb way to respond to a poor result the night before and it was good to get some silverware back to Teesside.

All 7 riders have made good contributions so far, and co-promoter Jade Mudgway was keen to praise two riders in particular for some stellar performances:

The whole team contributed to the win on Sunday , but I think a special mention is needed for Nathan, who was brilliant in the pivotal races.

Another rider who really impressed me was Charles Wright. Every race he is in is a massive boost for us and I think he will be one of the top riders (if not the top rider) in our league this year.

The Bears are back to full strength on Friday, after Jack Smith missed the meeting at Newcastle on Sunday. Sheffield come to the Media Prima Arena with a very strong side on paper. Led by former British Champion Danny King, they have a MPA track specialist in Ty Proctor whilst Zaine Kennedy is the latest Aussie to come to the UK with huge potential. And at reserve, they have one of the best young British reserves in Drew Kemp. Duffill is expecting another tough clash:

Sheffield look very strong in 2019 and are on of my tips for a play off spot, so this will be a difficult and testing encounter for us. I’m looking forward to seeing what Drew Kemp is capable of as I’ve heard lots of good things about him . Sheffield are very lucky to have him in their side and he could be a trump card for them.

Tapes are up at 7:30pm, we hope to see as many of you at the MPA as possible to cheer the boys on in what should be another exciting meeting!

Redcar: Michael Palm Toft, Tom Bacon, Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Charles Wright, Nathan Greaves, Jack Smith

Sheffield: Danny King, Zaine Kennedy, Kasper Andersen, Ty Proctor, Kyle Howarth, Broc Nicol, Drew Kemp

Redcar Agilia Bears bring the Tyne Tees Trophy back to Teesside, after beating our close rivals Newcastle 46-43 on Sunday night, winning the tie 97-82 on aggregate.

Going into the meeting defending a 12 point lead, the Bears started off well with a 4-2 in heat one. Tom Bacon was electric out the gate and led to the flag, with Michael Palm Toft finishing ahead of Steve Worrall. Newcastle hit back with a 4-2 in heat two, before two shared heats had the scores tied at 12 each.

A 5-1 in heat five saw the home side get their noses in front for the first time, before another 5 shared heats meaning going into heat 11 the Diamonds led 32-28. Heat 11 saw the tide turn in the Bears favour however. Palm Toft and Bacon combined for an excellent 5-1 to see the scores level. Heat 12 saw further drama, with Max Clegg retiring in lap two before a Barker and Bjerre tussle saw the Dane hit the deck in lap 3 and he was excluded by the referee resulting in a big 5-0 for the Bears. The Diamonds closed the gap slightly over the remaining 3 heats, but not enough the deny the Bears victory on the night.

Charles Wright continued his fine start to the season with another 13 points, with Nathan Greaves scoring an excellent 10+1 from reserve. It was a superb team effort all round though on an excellent night for Bears!

Newcastle Diamonds : 43 (82)
1. Steve Worrall – 2,2,3,1,3 = 11
2. Simon Lambert – 0,1′,2,0 = 3+1
3. Lasse Bjerre – 3,2′,2,Fx = 7+1
4. Matthew Wethers – 0,3,1′,2 = 6+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 2,3,1,3,1 = 10
6. Danny Phillips – 1,0,1′,0,0 = 2+1
7. Max Clegg – 3,1′,Xt,R = 4+1

Redcar Bears : 46 (97)
1. Michael Palm Toft – 1,1,3,0 = 5
2. Tom Bacon – 3,0,0,2′ = 5+1
3. Ben Barker – 2,2,1′,3,0 = 8+1
4. Jordan Stewart – 1′,1′,2,1 = 5+2
5. Charles Wright – 3,3,3,2,2 = 13
6. Nathan Greaves – 2,Fx,3,2′,3 = 10+1
7. Leon Flint (G) – 0,0,0 = 0

Redcar Agilia Bears Championship Shield campaign started with a defeat away to Leicester on Saturday night, with the home side running out 57-33 winners.

It was a tough night for the Bears, but started brightly enough in heat 1 with Tom Bacon taking the victory over home number 1 and ex-GP star Scott Nicholls. The Lions soon took control though, with big 5-1s in heats two and three and they never looked back from there. On a difficult night for the Bears, Charles Wright was the only other heat winner on his way to another excellent 13 point haul, with Tom Bacon supporting well with 6.

Leicester Lions = 57 

1. Scott Nicholls – 2, 3, 3, 2′, 1 = 11+1
2. Ellis Perks – 1′, 1, 3, 2′ = 7+2
3. Josh Bates – 2′, 3, 2, 1, 3 = 11+1
4. Ryan Douglas – 3, F = 3 Withdrawn
5. Richie Worrall – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 FULL MAXIMUM
6. Jack Thomas – 3, 0, F, M, R = 3
7. Connor Mountain – 2′, 1, 2′, 2′, 0 = 7+3

Redcar Bears = 33 

1. Michael Palm Toft – R, 1′, R, T = 1+1
2. Tom Bacon – 3, 2, 1, T = 6
3. Ben Barker – 0, 2, 1, 2′, 0 = 5+1
4. Jordan Stewart – 1, 1′, F, 2 = 4+1
5. Charles Wright – 2, 2, 3, 3, 1, 2 = 13
6. Nathan Greaves – 1, 0, 1, 1, 0 = 3
7. Jack Smith – R, 0, 0, 1′ = 1+1

The Bears have an immediate chance to put the defeat behind them though, as they travel to Newcastle tonight in the second leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy. The Bears are defending a 12 point lead from the first leg, but there is one change for the Bears with Leon Flint guesting in place of Jack Smith who is attending a family funeral. Newcastle remain unchanged. We hope to see as many of you down there as possible to support the Bears, with tapes up at 6:30pm.

Redcar Bears: Michael Palm Toft, Tom Bacon, Ben Barker (captain), Jordan Stewart, Charles Wright, Nathan Greaves, Leon Flint

Newcastle Diamonds: Steve Worrall (captain), Simon Lambert, Lasse Bjerre, Matthew Wethers, Thomas Jorgensen, Danny Phillips, Max Clegg 

Redcar Agilia Bears travel to Leicester tonight, in the second meeting of three on the bounce, to face the Lions in the Championship Shield (7:30pm start).

It will be the first competitive meeting for the Bears, after winning 51-39 against Newcastle in the Tyne Tees Trophy on Friday. That performance will give the Bears confidence going into what will be a tricky meeting against a strong looking Leicester side. The Lions are led by ex-GP star Scott Nicholls, supported by Richie Worrall, Ryan Douglas and ex- Bear Ellis Perks.

The Bears go into the meeting at full strength, and ex-Leicester man Charles Wright be looking to keep his good form at Beaumont Park going after finishing second in the season opening Ben Fund meeting there.

Its bound to be a close exciting fixture – tapes up at 7:30 and we hope to see some of you there supporting the Bears!

Redcar Agilia Bears saw off the challenge of a determined Newcastle Diamonds side at the Media Prima Arena on Friday night, running out 51-39 winners.

In front of a healthy opening day crowd on Teesside, the Bears started off the meeting really well. Three 5-1s in the opening four heats saw the home side jump out to a 18-6 lead, which saw heat wins for Tom Bacon, Ben Barker and Charles Wright. The next few heats saw Newcastle steady the ship somewhat, with the Diamonds getting a 5-1 after an excellent heat 8 in which Simon Lambert eventually got the better of Jack Smith before the Bears reserve fell on the last bend.

A heat 9 win from the excellent Jordan Stewart was followed by a win by number 1 Michael Palm Toft in fine style from the back and the sides went into the interval 14 points to the good. A couple of heat advantages for the away side, both involving the Diamonds star man Stevie Worrall, saw the deficit reduced to eight points with two heats remaining. Another win for Jordan Stewart in heat 14 sealed the win for the Bears, before a heat 15 5-1 for Charles Wright and Palm Toft extended the lead to 12.

Charles Wright top scored for the Bears with an excellent 13+1, with great support from Palm Toft and Stewart with 11+1 and 10+1 respectively. Worrall top scored for the visitors with 12+1. Bears promoter Jitendra Duffill was delighted with his teams evening:

I couldn’t have wished for a better opening night. Our top 5 showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with around the MPA, and lots of promise from our young reserves. A healthy crowd and superb racing for the opening meeting!

Redcar Bears = 51

1. Michael Palm Toft : 2*, 3, 3, 0, 3 = 11+1
2. Tom Bacon : 3, 1, 1, 0 = 5
3. Ben Barker : 3, 0, 2*, 1 = 6+1
4. Jordan Stewart : 2*, 2, 3, 3 = 10+1
5. Charles Wright : 3, 3, 3, 2, 2* = 13+1
6. Nathan Greaves : 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
7. Jack Smith : 1*, 2*, F, 0 = 3+2

Newcastle Diamonds = 39

1. Steve Worrall : 1, 3, 2, 2*, 3, 1 = 12+1
2. Simon Lambert : R, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Lasse Bjerre : EX, R, 1*, 3, 0 = 4+1
4. Matthew Wethers : 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
5. Thomas Jorgensen : F, 2, 1, 1 = 4
6. Danny Phillips : 0, 1, 0 = 1
7. Max Clegg : 3, 0, 2*, 0, 1 = 6+1

The Redcar Agilia Bears will be paying their annual visit to the Children’s Ward at James Cook Hospital on Good Friday. We are looking for donations of Easter Eggs, soft toys and colouring books for young children from our supporters so we can brighten up Easter a little for a few poorly children. Supporters can donate by handing any eggs to the race office at the Media Prima Arena tomorrow and on Friday 5th April before the Bears pay their visit on Friday 19th April.

Promoter Jitendra Duffill added, ‘Our supporters have been extremely generous in previous years in donating for what is a very good cause. Their gifts have put a big smile on the faces of so many children that are going through a tough time and it’s been an honour for us to give a little something back to the community.’

Redcar Agilia Bears get there season underway this Friday, as we host our good friends the Newcastle Diamonds in the Tyne Tees Trophy at the Media Prima Arena with a 7:30pm start.

It has been a winter of change for the Bears, with Kevin Keay stepping aside from his role as promoter to be replaced by Jitendra Duffill and Jade Mudgway. Duffill, who has been involved as team manager and then co-promoter over the last decade, is keen to pay tribute to the work Keay put into the club:

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to Kevin Keay and his wife Anne for all they have done for Redcar Speedway over the past 2 years. They have worked tirelessly for our club, providing us with not only 2 years of superb entertainment, but also a very solid foundation upon which to build upon. I don’t think many people would be able to truly appreciate the sacrifices that they both made for our club and I wish them both the very best for the future.

Only two Bears remain from last seasons septet, with Ben Barker and Jordan Stewart returning for another season. Charles Wright and Michael Palm Toft provide top end strength with Barker, whilst Tom Bacon, Nathan Greaves and Jack Smith add huge potential throughout the rest of the team. Co-promoter and team manager Jade Mudgway is excited to get going:

We have high hopes for this season and I absolutely believe that we will have one of the best seasons yet here at Redcar. I work on a motto that we race for fun but it’s a whole lot more fun when you’re winning. I’m really happy with the team we have attracted this year. Our riders didn’t take much convincing to make Redcar their home; we have the best racing track in the UK and they know that they will be treated well by both the fans and management.

With any one of our top three riders capable of winning any race at any track in the country, it is looking good for picking up points away from home, which will make a massive difference to our league hopes. They are going to be backed up with youth and masses of potential. Every single one of our riders has the ability to improve their averages, which is really exciting

Newcastle come to the Media Prima Arena a much changed side themselves, with a number of ex-Bears and riders with a lot of experience at the MPA. Thomas Jorgensen, who spent the second half of last season as a Bear, now spearheads the Diamonds alongside ex-Bears Lasse Bjerre and Stevie Worrall. Matthew Wethers and Simon Lambert are solid riders at second string with Max Clegg and Teesside lad Danny Phillips at reserve. It’s always a closely fought meeting between these two sides, and Duffill is expecting more of the same on Friday:

We pay a warm welcome to our closest rivals, the Newcastle ‘Boiler Technical Services’ Diamonds for the first leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy. Its always a keenly fought contest when we face Newcastle but Friday is mainly about blowing those cobwebs away as we prepare for our Championship Shield and League fixtures. I’m sure my new co-promoter and Team Manager Jade Mudgway will be keen to get our season off to a winning start so I’m expecting a close and exciting contest.

Lineups:
Redcar: Michael Palm Toft, Tom Bacon, Ben Barker, Jordan Stewart, Charles Wright, Nathan Greaves, Jack Smith

Newcastle: Stevie Worrall, Simon Lambert, Lasse Bjerre, Matthew Wethers, Thomas Jorgensen, Danny Phillips, Max Clegg

Redcar Bears Speedway has signed a deal with Event Genius to make the Leeds-based company the team’s official ticketing and event technology partner.

On a pleasant, but chilly, afternoon on Teesside the Redcar Agilia Bears ran out winners in front of a bumper crowd at the Ben Barker Testimonial meeting.

Fans turned out from all areas of the country to pay tribute to the popular Cornish rider, with fans from Edinburgh, Plymouth and everywhere in-between present. And they were served up some superb racing on a well prepared track. There were some impressive rides, and promising signs for the Bears, early on in the meeting. Nathan Greaves made an electric start in heat 2, and was leading former Australian Champion Sam Masters for 3 and a half laps before the Wolves man swooped around him on the last bend to take the victory. In the very next heat, Jordan Stewart made a superb start over Thomas Jorgensen and Ulrich Ostegaard and was never troubled in a very impressive heat win.

The good racing continued, with Thomas Jorgensen coming out on top after a great battle with Micheal Palm Toft, and Lewis Kerr winning his first two heats and looking very quick. Heat 9 saw Barker take his first heat win, with Sam Masters pulling off another last bend pass to take second from Kerr. The lead for the majority of the meeting had changed hands between Redcar and neighbours Newcastle, and going into the top scorers race in heat 17 it was still up for grabs. The man of the day, Ben Barker took the spot for Redcar, Lewis Kerr for Newcastle, Stevie Worrall for Workington and Sam Masters for Middlesbrough. It was a frantic first lap, with Masters in the lead before Barker drove up the inside to go from third to first. Lewis Kerr gave chase, but Barker was not to be denied the victory. It was a great start the season, and full credit to all the riders who gave it their all on the day.

Redcar Bears = 33 

1. Charles Wright – 2, 3, 3, 1 = 9
2. Jordan Stewart – 3, 1, 2, 2 = 8
3. Nathan Greaves – 2, 1, 0, 1 = 4
4. Ben Barker – 2, 1, 3, 3, 3 = 12
5. Brian Turner

Workington Comets = 20 

1. Steve Worrall – 3, 2, 3, 2, 1 = 11 
2. Kyle Bickley – 0, 0, 1, 0 = 1
3. Simon Lambert – 0, 0, 2, 1 = 3
4. Ulrich Ostergaard – 1, 1, 0, 3 = 5
5. Gavin Parr

Newcastle Diamonds = 29 

1. Thomas Jorgensen – 2, 3, 3, 0 = 8
2. Lewis Kerr – 3, 3, 1, 3, 2 = 12
3. Justin Sedgmen – 1, 2, 0, 2 = 5
4. James Sarjeant – 0, 2, 2, 0 = 4
5. Dean Douglas

Middlesbrough Bears = 20 

1. Sam Masters – 3, 3, 2, 3, R = 11
2. Tom Bacon – 1, R, 1, 1 = 3
3. David Wallinger – 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0
4. Michael Palm Toft – 1, 2, 1, 2 = 6
5. Josh Embleton

We would like to confirm, despite the report in this week’s Speedway Star, that Ben Barkers Testimonial Meeting will take place at the Media Prima Arena this Saturday with a 3pm start.

Apologies for any confusion caused.