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Nathan Greaves 2018 season came to a spectacular end, crashing out on his home debut for Glasgow in July. After a few months of recovery, the young Brit is now raring to get back on a bike with his return to the Bears. Greaves had a short, but successful spell with the Bears last season and impressed supporters and management enough to earn himself a permanent spot this year. Greaves also enjoyed his time at the Media Prima Arena, and feels the Bears are the right club for him:

I wanted to come to Redcar because I feel like it’s the right team for me at this point in my career. I enjoy the track, there’s an enthusiasm around the place. The management believe in me and I enjoyed my time there last season.

Greaves is an ambitious man, and is looking forward to the season starting. After having a good couple of seasons, he is looking to push on again this season – especially after having had to wait since the summer to get back on a bike:

My goals for this year are to progress as much as possible as quick as possible. I want to succeed and I want to win. I think we have a good team this year, and I’m really looking forward to the season even more so because I have had to wait longer than everyone else as I finished in July this year!”

One of Redcar Bears bright new prospects for the 2019 season, Tom Bacon enjoyed a superb 2018 season. Riding for Peterborough in the Championship, he had a fine season and ended with a 4.67 average. One of his many fine scores was a 9+2 score at Redcar! And riding for Birmingham in the National League, he was near enough untouchable as he roared to the top of the averages for the League with a 10.20 average. Bacon admits he is pleased to be signing for Redcar:

I am delighted to have signed for Redcar. The management have always been a pleasure to deal with, and whenever I have been to Redcar as a visiting rider the place has a friendly feel to it.

Tom will hoping to build on the successes of last season as he makes the Media Prim Arena his home track.  The track at Redcar is one Tom likes riding, and he is excited for the season to begin:

The track is one I’ve always enjoyed riding, it is usually well prepared with plenty of lines and it is important to have a home track you look forward to going to! I look forward to meeting all the fans in the New Year, and can’t wait to get going!

After spending the 2017 season at Redcar, Charles Wright admits he is delighted to be a Bear again in 2019. Wright, who spent a great 2018 at Sheffield, is excited to put on a Bears racejacket again:

I loved riding for Redcar in 2017, the promotion, management and fans have always been behind me 100% so who would ask for more than that. It gives you that buzz to always want to do your absolute best! I always have a job to do, and I will make sure I do it, both on and off the track. I am really looking forward to wearing a Bears race bib again in 2019 and can’t wait to get started!

Wright admits to enjoying his time at Sheffield last season, and indeed won the Championship Pairs last season. And whilst it was a disappointing season for the Tigers, Wright finished the season at number 1 with a 7.88 average. He is looking to keep that going in 2019, on a track he really enjoys riding:

Redcar’s always been a track I have loved riding. It is always well prepared, and credit has to go to Terry the Trackman! I wanted to come back to Redcar in 2018 but had to make the decision to ride somewhere that was best for me in terms of travelling, especially as I do most of the driving myself. I had a great year at Sheffield last year – riding there was invaluable and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and made strides in my career.

Wright is backing himself to challenge for the number 1 spot this season, and insists with the team the Bears have this year that there is no reason for team Silverware at the end of the season:

I don’t have any wild aspirations this year, as long as I am progressing year on year I am smashing my own goals. People will only remember you for your last race. I put in the work to my absolute best 12 months of the year; I am a born racer and will give absolutely everything, putting myself in places other people wouldn’t both for myself and the club. I started last year at number 3, and ended up at number 1, there’s no reason that won’t happen again – it’s all about the racing and to do well personally and for a club that backs you through everything means a lot. The team we have this year is a team of racers, of guys who want to go as far as they can and I don’t see why we can’t finish the season with that silverware.

Redcar Bears new number 1 Michael Palm Toft has finally made the move to the Media Prima Arena, and admits he is here to win! MPT, who comes in with a 7.96 average after a good season at Peterborough, has always gone well around the Teesside track and say’s it was not a difficult decision to come to the North East:

It was an easy choice for me, as it’s a track I like riding. My aim for next season is to stay at number, up my average and win some silverware with Redcar!

It was the chance to win some Silverware which tempted MPT to join the Bears, and admits the ambition of the Bears was the first question he asked promoter Jitendra Duffill when he first made contact:

It was a big question to Ben when he rang me, what the aim was for the team he was putting together. I want to win, not just ride and get paid. I think we have got a good team that is more than capable of being up there.

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears tonight announced the remaining six members of their new look 2019 side, subject to BSPA approval.

With young Aussie star Jordan Stewart already confirmed a couple of weeks ago, the rest of the side was unveiled by promoter Jitendra Duffill in front of a packed house at the Bears Bar. And it is a new look side for 2019, with only two of the septet from 2018 returning. Joining Stewart is two-time Bear of the year, and arguably one of the most entertaining riders around the Media Prima Arena, Ben Barker. Returning for his third season as a Bear, he comes in on a 6.87 average and will take the third heatleader spot.

Coming in as Number 1 for next season is popular Dane Michael Palm Toft, who spent last season at Peterborough in the Championship. He is a rider who always goes well at Redcar, and scored 17 points in one meeting at Redcar for Peterborough last season. He will come in on a 7.96 average, and is aiming to improve that: “My aim for next season is stay at number 1, up my average and win some Silverware with Redcar!”

Joining as the second heatleader is Charles Wright, who spent the 2017 season with Redcar before moving to Sheffield last season. Charles had a good season with Sheffield, winning the 2018 pairs, and will come in on a 7.88 average to form a powerful trio with Palm Toft and Barker.

Coming in as a second string is a rider who had a great year last season in both the Championship and National League, Tom Bacon. Indeed, Bacon finished top of the National League averages with a superb 10.20 average, and comes in on a 4.55 average this season. He is another rider who has had some impressive scores at Redcar, with a 9+2 score last season.

Coming in as the senior reserve is another promising Brit, and another rider who had a short spell at Redcar last season in Nathan Greaves. He also spent last season riding for Wolverhampton in the Premiership, and comes in on a 3.99 average.

Joining Greaves at reserve is another young Brit making his way in the sport, Jack Smith. Jack rode for Swindon, Sheffield and Belle Vue in the 3 leagues last season, and will join on a 2.73 average. Jack finished top of the Belle Vue averages last season in the National League, and should be one of the stronger number 7’s in the league.

Stay tuned to the Bears website over the next few days to see the thoughts of the 2019 Bears..

Redcar Bears are launching a new VIP Supporters Club in 2019, offering Bears fans who may not have their own business an opportunity to support the Bears for the season. 

There are 3 packages available for those who wish to support the Bears, with each offering exclusive, never seen before benefits including your name on the racejacket and a hire bike session with a Bear as your instructor.

Click here to view the packages available.

Redcar Bears have appointed 1992 World Speedway Champion Gary Havelock as the clubs Rider Coach for 2019. Havelock, who is based locally in Middlesbrough, has been a regular visitor to the Media Prima Arena since his racing career was ended through injury. 

Havelock’s appointment is expected to be a popular one with Bears supporters and riders alike and he is excited to be a part of the new set up at Redcar. “It’s great to be back at Redcar. It’s no secret the passion and enthusiasm I have for my hometown club” said Havelock when asked about his appointment with the Bears. 

Havelock will be present at most race meetings and will be making himself available to all 7 Bears riders, but with an emphasis on sharing his knowledge and experience with the younger members of the side. Promoter Jitendra Duffill added, “I approached Gary recently and asked him if he would be interested in a coaching position with us and he had no hesitation in accepting. I believe that he would be perfect in that role. He is a very close friend of mine and will fit perfectly into the set up we have planned for next season. Gary’s knowledge and experience will be a valuable asset to the side and he is a very respected figure in Speedway.”

Duffill hinted on a youthful look to his side for 2019, something that he and Havelock are passionate about. ‘I think it’s vital to bring in a new youth set-up and help new kids make the grade in the sport,” said Havelock. “It would be brilliant if we could eventually find another Tai Woffinden, Gary Havelock, Joe Screen or Mark Loram.”

Bears supporters have only 4 days to wait until the final 6 riders to join Jordan Stewart in the 2019 side are revealed at their Christmas Party this Friday.

Smythes Speedway World the popular speedway cartoon booklet containing cartoons drawn by Reg Smythe is on sale again with all income going to help injured riders. The cartoons (over 70) were drawn by Reg in the early 1950’s some 7 years before he created the world famous Andy Capp. Many of the cartoons feature the speedway character Skid Sprocket and should appeal to speedway historians and todays fans as many cartoons apply to the sport today, or anyone interested in the early work of Reg Smythe. The A5 size booklet costs £7-70 inc postage. For more info contact John at skidsprocket@gmail.com. Don’t forget Christmas is just round the corner!!! A new batch of the booklet has just arrived please contact me for your copy. All income will go to injured Dan Bewley unless you nominate an injured rider of your choice.

Jordan Stewart will return to the Redcar Bears next year and is confirmed as the first rider on the team sheet for 2019. Stewart made good progress in 2018 which was his debut season in the UK. The Australians return is sure to be a popular one with Bears supporters. The Bears asset is currently racing back home after returning to Australia in October and is showing impressive form.

Redcar had originally planned to unveil Stewart’s signing at their Christmas Party on December 14^th, but his capture had been leaked in the Australian press recently with news of his return making its way to UK shores via social media. Promoter Jitendra Duffill added, “I felt that we had little choice other than to bring the brilliant news of his return forward as a result of his signing being leaked in the Australian press. I’m ecstatic that Jordan has decided to come back and I’d like to thank him for his loyalty to Redcar. He has a very bright future and 2019 could be a very big year for him.”

Duffill was also able to confirm that all of the final 6 riders to complete the 2019 Bears squad will be revealed on the 14^th December with 5 riders having confirmed their attendance on the night.