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When Redcar Speedway take on Workington this Thursday, it will 90 years to the day that Cleveland Park opened it’s gates for the first Speedway meeting in Middlesbrough.

To commemorate this special occasion, it is hoped that a number of ex-Middlesbrough riders will be attending and making an appearance on the centre green. And as part of a special second half, eight riders will be taking part riding on Upright Speedway bikes, including Bears team manager Jade Mudgway. So if you enjoy the sites and sounds of a Weslake, Godden or 2 valve Jawa please stay back and enjoy the second half!

Further details, and line-ups for the main meeting to follow later in the week.

Redcar Ecco Finishing Supplies Bears took the full four points away from Sheffield on Thursday night, winning 52-38 at Owlerton.

The Bears started the meeting very strongly, with two 5-1s in the opening two heats and never looked back from that point. It was a solid all round team performance, with Dimitri Berge top scoring with 13 on his return to his former club. He was supported well by Jorgensen with 10+1, but encouragingly every Bear recorded at least a paid win.

The Bears host Sheffield in the return fixture tomorrow evening, and will be hoping to build on tonights good performance!

Sheffield Tigers = 38

1. Charles Wright – 0, 2, 2, 3, 1 = 8
2. Todd Kurtz – 1, 1′, 2, EX = 4+1
3. Lasse Bjerre – 2, EF, 1′, 2 = 5+!
4. Broc Nicol – 1′, 3, 2, 1 = 7+1
5. Kyle Howarth (C) – 2, 3, 3, 0, 0, 3 = 11
6. James Shanes – 1, 1′, 1′, F = 3+1
7. Joe Lawlor – 0, 0, 0 = 0

Redcar Bears = 52

1. Ben Barker (C) – 3, 2, 2, 2, 0 = 9
2. Nike Lunna – 2′, 1′, 3, 1′ = 7+3
3. Dimitri Berge – 3, 2, 3, 3, 2 = 13
4. Jonas B Andersen – 0, 1′, 1, 2′ = 4+2
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 3, 3, 3, 1′ = 10+1
6. Mikkel B Andersen – 2′, 0, 0, 1 = 3+1
7. Jordan Stewart – 3, 0, 0, 3 = 6

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears head to Sheffield tonight hoping to gain valuable league points in their efforts to climb off the bottom of the table. “Sheffield is a track that all of the Bears riders can ride well on and the Tigers have struggled at home recently so we go there looking to win and set up a double against them when they visit the Media Prima Arena on Friday” said team manager Jade Mudgway.

There will be two further changes to the side for the home fixture as Thomas Jorgensen is now required in Denmark so popular former Bear Ty Proctor steps in once again and Coty Garcia makes a welcome return as original replacement Gino Manzares doesn’t feel 100% fit as yet.

The NJL 500cc Riders Championship follows on from the main match so it’s a full night of excitement, first race 7:30pm. 

This Thursday sees the Redcar Ecco finishing Supplies Bears make the trip down to Sheffield to take on the Tigers, before hosting them in the return leg at the Media Prima Arena on Friday night (both 7:30pm starts).

It is a changed Redcar lineup, with Finnish star Nike Lunna making his Bears debut tonight, replacing Tobias Busch in the lineup. Team manager Jade Mudgway is happy to have the Finn is the side:

“I like Nike’s give it all racing style and it very much fits with what we want here at Redcar. I’m sorry to see Tobi go but we need riders that give 100 percent every time they pull on a bears jacket and Tobi fell short of that.”

The Bears are at full strength for the trip to Sheffield, but will be without the Andersen brothers on Friday as they are required to ride in Denmark – against each other! Thomas Jorgensen is also racing in Denmark. Ty Proctor, Mark Riss, who had a great meeting at Redcar a couple of weeks ago, and Coty Garcia will guest in their place.

Sheffield have a number of riders who go well around Redcar, with Charles Wright and Lasse Bjerre both being ex-Bears and Kyle Howarth showing a liking for the track in the past. Mudgway is expecting a tough clash on Friday:

“Sheffield are full of riders who won’t give up and know their way around the media Prima arena. Charles Wright is in fine form at number 1 for the Tigers and was a rider that scored plenty of points for the Bears last year. Lasse Bjerre is also a well-known rider around the our track but can be up and down at Redcar.”

Certainly promises to be an exciting couple of nights racing!

Redcar (Thursday): Ben Barker, Nike Lunna, Dimitri Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Thomas Jorgensen, Mikkel B Andersen, Jordan Stewart.

Redcar: (Friday): Ben Barker, Nike Lunna, Dimitri Berge, Mark Riss, Ty Proctor, Coty Garcia, Jordan Stewart.

Sheffield: Charles Wright, Todd Kurtz, Lasse Bjerre, Broc Nicol, Kyle Howarth, James Shanes, Joe Lawlor

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears have signed Finnish star Nike Lunna who will make his debut for the Bears in Thursday’s fixture away at Sheffield. Lunna will replace German Tobias Busch in the side as they try to climb off the bottom of the championship table.

Co-Promoter Kevin Keay said of the change: “After recent defeats something had to be done. Whilst I couldn’t sign the big hitter I wanted I was made aware of Nike’s return to fitness and he’s a rider who can excite the crowd and score way above his average. He rides Redcar really well and is capable of good away scores so he comes into the side and will add a bit of a character at the same time.

I’m sorry to see Tobias go as he’s a way better rider than he thinks he is but there was an issue at Edinburgh which I couldn’t overlook . When Tobias’s head was right he scored well, particularly at home but his attitude to away fixtures wasn’t right so we’ve moved for Nike. Tobias has been particularly unlucky with injuries in his time with the Bears when everything is right for him he’s a class act and we wish him well for the future.”

The Bears will have to field two guests at home to Sheffield on Friday as the Andersen brothers are both recalled to Denmark to ride in a domestic league fixture. Mark Riss of Ipswich will come in for Jonas and Gino Manzares will replace Mikkel .

“With 6 teams already competing on Friday the choices were some what limited but we’re very pleased with the riders we have managed to acquire.”

Friday’s match will be followed by the Northern Junior League 500cc Riders Championship as a ‘second half ‘ event with Gavin Parr representing the Redcar Erimus Cubs against the best riders in the league.

Redcar Ecco Finishing Supplies Bears fell to their heaviest defeat of the season, losing 69-21 away to Edinburgh on Friday night. 

It was a very tough night for the Bears, with not a single heat winner. Edinburgh racked up five 5-1s in the opening five heats in a very poor start for the Bears, and things never looked like getting any better. Thomas Jorgensen and Jonas B Andersen top scored for the Bears on the night with 6 points each. 

Erik Riss top scored for Edinburgh with an untroubled 15 point maximum, whilst 3 other riders also got paid maximums.

Bears fans are reminded there is no action at the Media Prima Arena next Thursday. The Bears are away at Sheffield on Thursday 9th August, facing the Tigers at the Media Prima Arena on Friday 10th.

Edinburgh Monarchs = 69

1. Ricky Wells : 2*, 3, 2*, 2*, 2* = 11+4 PAID MAX
2. Victor Palovaara : 3, 1, 3, 3 = 10
3. Josh Pickering : 2*, 3, 3, 3 = 11+1 PAID MAX
4. Richie Worrall : 3, 2*, 2*, 3 = 10+2 PAID MAX
5. Erik Riss : 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 FULL MAX
6. Max Clegg : 2*, 1, 0, 1 = 4+1
7. Joel Andersson : 3, 2*, 2*, 1 = 8+2

Redcar Bears = 21

1. Ben Barker : 1, 1, 1*, 1, 1 = 5+1
2. Tobias Busch : R, 0, R = 0
3. Dimitri Berge : 0, 0, 0, 2 = 2
4. Jonas B Andersen : 1, 2, 1, 2, 0 = 6
5. Thomas Jorgensen : 1, 2, 1, 2, R = 6
6. Mikkel B Andersen : F, 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Jordan Stewart : 1, 0, 1, 0 = 2

Redcar Ecco Finish Bears put in a battling performance, but ultimately fell short as they lost 41-49 against the Ipswich Witches at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night.

It was a night of great racing on Teesside, but the Bears inconsistency again came to the fore. They actually won 9 of the 15 races, but when Ipswich did win a heat they made sure they got the heat advantages. 

For the Bears, a determined Thomas Jorgensen top scored with 11 which included a couple of battling race wins. Captain Ben Barker chipped in with 9+1, with returning German Tobias Busch scoring 7.

For Ipswich, ex-Bear Ty Proctor top scored with 10+1, without actually winning a race! The whole top 5 contributed well though in a solid team effort.

Redcar promoter Kevin Keay was again left bemoaning his sides lack of consistency:

Another frustrating evening. A classic example of inconsistency. Even the riders can’t put their fingers on why it’s happening. Some riders need to take a long hard look at themselves and find out the reasons for their lack of performance.

The Bears are next in action tomorrow night, away to Edinburgh.

Redcar Bears = 41
1. Ben Barker – 2′, 3, 1, 3, 0, EF = 9+1
2. Tobias Busch – 3, 1, 3, 0 = 7
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 0, 3, 1 = 4
4. Jonas B Andersen – 1, 1, 1, 1′ = 4+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 3, 3, 1, 3, 1 = 11
6. Mikkel B Andersen – F, 0, 0 = 0
7. Jordan Stewart – 3, 0, 1, 2 = 6

Ipswich Witches = 49
1. Rory Schlein – EF, 2′, 3, 1′, 3 = 9+2
2. Cameron Heeps – 1, 3, 2, 2′ = 8+1
3. Nico Covatti – 2′, 2, 3, 2 = 9+1
4. Mark Riss – 3, 1′, 2′, 3 = 9+2
5. Ty Proctor (guest) – 2, 2, 2, 2, 2′ = 10+1
6. David Wallinger – 1′, 0, 0 = 1+1
7. Coty Garcia – 2, 1′, 0, 0, 0 = 3+1

Redcar Ecco Finishing Bears play hosts to a party of guests including 20 children from Chernobyl tomorrow. The children don’t speak any English and haven’t seen Speedway before but they have heard all about ‘Smoggy the dancing Bear’ and can’t wait to join in the interval fun at the Media Prima Arena. Come and join in the fun and make the kids feel welcome!

Redcar Ecco Finishing Supplies Bears look to get back to winning ways, as they host the Ipswich Witches at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night (7:30pm start).

The Bears struggled in their last home meeting, losing heavily against Edinburgh, although they restored some pride last Thursday with an excellent point away at this weeks visitors Ipswich. Bears manager Jade Mudgway was pleased with his sides efforts on the night:

Last Thursday, we were away at Ipswich, where we knew it was going to be our best chance to get some away points.  We did our best to come away with the win, which was a definite possibility, and managed to run them close, coming away with one league point.  I was very happy, as every one of our riders fought for every point they could get.  Right from the get go, we knew we could do it and although it took us a couple of races to get the set up right, we worked as a team, talking and helping each rider.  We even had the only promoter in the league who is dedicated enough to get his hands on some spanners, with Kevin Keay helping Dimitri! 

The Bears also rode well at Somerset on Friday on the Championship Pairs. Ben Barker and Thomas Jorgensen gave a great account of themselves, and Mudgway was pleased with the spirit shown:

Then on Friday night at Somerset, we had Ben and Thomas showing the battling spirit, only just missing out on the finals of the Pairs on countback.  This spirit is something I really try to base our team on.  If our riders can give everything they have in every race wearing the Bears race jacket, then win or lose, we will be proud Bears!

The Bears return to full strength for this weeks clash with Ipswich, with Tobias Busch returning to the side after his enforced injury lay off. It’s an all changed lineup for Ipswich after some team changes, but they do contain a few familiar faces. Ex-Bear Coty Garcia will ride at reserve alongside David Wallinger, who is a regular in the pits at the Media Prima Arena. Ty Proctor, a rider who certainly knows the fastest way around the Teesside track, guests for Ipswich in place of the injured Danny King whilst they are led by a rejuvenated Rory Schlein. Mudgway is looking forward to a good nights racing:

This week will be a hard night of racing and we are not expecting Ipswich to give us an easy ride.  Redcar is a very fair track, so we need to stay on our toes and get on them right from the start. The last home meeting here was one very much to learn from and move on, but we are certainly looking to make up for it this week.

Redcar: Ben Barker, Tobias Busch, Dimitri Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Thomas Jorgensen, Mikkel B Andersen, Jordan Stewart
Ipswich: Rory Schlein, Cameron Heeps, Nico Covatti, Mark Riss, Ty Proctor, David Wallinger, Coty Garcia