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Just 4 days after holding a very successful Championship Four Team Tournament, the Redcar Ecco Finishing Supplies Bears return to action on Thursday against Scunthorpe Scorpions at the Media Prima Arena (7:30pm start).

On a scorching hot day on Sunday, the Peterborough Panthers retained their title in fine style but it was a superb days racing all round. The volunteers and track staff worked hard all day to keep the track in good nick and ensure fans were fed and hydrated. Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill was delighted with how the day turned out:

Sunday saw us host the Championship 4 Team Tournament and I was really pleased with how the day went. I felt the event was a huge success and Kev Keay should be very proud of what he achieved. A lot of time and planning went into the event to ensure that it ran as smoothly as possible and to cater for the extra supporters that we expected to arrive. We have had some very positive feedback and that was very pleasing to hear after so many were quick to criticise and judge our ability to succeed before giving us a chance to try.

Thank you to everyone that attended and especially to all of our volunteers who worked hard in uncomfortable temperatures. I’d also like to thank Terry the Track and his staff for their superb work on the track. It was always going to be difficult to provide a perfect race surface in the extreme heat but I don’t think anybody could have done any better on the day and we saw some amazing racing as a result.

The Bears bowed out of the competition in the semi-final stage, although had started the meeting well with Thomas Jorgensen and Mikkel B Andersen winning their opening rides. The Bears afternoon changed with the exclusion of Ben Barker in his second ride, which Duffill was disappointed with:

We started very strongly but things went wrong just after the half way stage when Ben Barker was excluded in his second ride. I was absolutely dumbfounded at the referee’s decision to exclude Ben and I cannot for one second understand how he could be blamed for the crash. The ref’ told me that Ben should have shut off, but anybody with any sort of understanding of how a Speedway bike rides knows you cannot shut  off when riding close to the fence as it straightens up. Ben was left with nowhere to go but into the fence. It was the wrong decision in my opinion and one that probably cost us a place in the final.

This Thursday sees the visit of injury ravaged Scunthorpe, with four of their regular riders currently out injured. Steve Worrall, Jason Garrity, Stefan Nielsen and Danny Phillips are all currently on the sidelines. They  have booked in some solid guests though, as Richard Lawson, Aaron Summers and Joe Lawlor come in for Worrall, Garrity and Phillips with r/r in operation for Nielsen. Duffill is still expecting a close meeting:

This week we welcome Scunthorpe and they have had a torrid time with injury this year. With Jason Garrity, Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen and Danny Phillips all in the sidelines they have a bit of a patched up side but the guests they have chosen ride our track very well. They look very strong on paper and that means that we have a very tough task on our hands again on Thursday.

There is one change to the Bears side for this week, with German Tobias Busch now fully fit and returning in place of Nathan Greaves whose 28 day spell is over. Duffill is pleased to see Busch back, but also sad to see Greaves leave:

We welcome back Tobias Busch to our side this week after his recent hand injury and it’s good to have him back in the side. His return also pushes Mikkel B Andersen down to number 6 alongside Jordy Stewart so we look very strong at reserve again. I’d like to say a very big thank you to Nathan Greaves for all his efforts over the last 4 weeks. His 28 day contract has now reached its conclusion and I’m sad to see him go. I’ve really enjoyed working along side Nathan and I am pleased with the job that he has done for us. He is a rider I’d love to have back at Redcar again in the near future as I believe that there is a lot more to come from him.

Redcar: Barker, Jonas B Andersen, Berge, Busch, Jorgensen, Mikkel B Andersen, Stewart
Scunthorpe: Lawson, Summers, r/r for Nielsen, Allen, Auty, Lawlor, Manzares

For the Championship Fours meeting limited Disabled car parking space will be available inside the stadium and at the very front of the main car park by the turnstiles. All car parks will be stewarded and they will be in radio contact with each other.

No vehicles parked inside the stadium will be allowed to leave until the meeting has fully ended so if you intend to leave prior to the last race do not park inside the stadium.
Staff car parking will be in the Stunt School Arena to the left of the turnstiles.

Limited Motorcycle parking is also available inside the main gate.
Whilst additional car parking space has been secured please allow plenty of time to enter the stadium as you may have a short walk to the Media Prima Arena.
Those people that have enquired about grandstand seats will have their calls replied to on Tuesday.
Additional catering units and pop-up bars will be in attendance around the stadium.

We look forward to seeing fans from all clubs on Sunday, bring your own sun tan cream!

Despite a battling performance, the Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears fell to a 48-42 defeat at home to Peterborough on Thursday night. 

Dimitri Berge was the star for the Bears, with the flying Frenchman notching 4 heat wins on his way to a 12 point total. There were also battling performances from the Bears two guests, with Aaron Summers scoring 10 and Josh Auty 7+2.

The Panthers were led excellently by Michael Palm Toft, who roared to a 17 point score, only beaten by Berge in heat 15. He received excellent support from Bradley Wilson Dean and reserve Tom Bacon, who both scored 9+2.

Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill admits his team was beaten by the better side on the night:

Sometimes you just have to put your hands up and admit that you were beaten by a better team. No lack of effort on our part, there was plenty of fight in camp but ultimately we were beaten by a superb performance from Michael Palm Toft and the impressive Tom Bacon. Congratulations to Peterborough but hugely disappointing to lose at home again.

The next action at Redcar is on Sunday 1st July, when the Bears host the Championship Four Team tournament.

Redcar Bears = 42 

1. Aaron Summers (G) – 2, 3, 1, 3, 1 = 10
2. Mikkel B Andersen – 1*, 1, 2, 0 = 4+1
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 3, 3, 0, 3, 3 = 12
4. Jonas B Andersen – 1, 1, FX, 1 = 3
5. Josh Auty (G) – 1*, 2, 2, 2* = 7+2
6. Nathan Greaves – 3, 0, 1, 0 = 4
7. Jordan Stewart – 0, 2, 0 = 2

Peterborough Panthers = 48 

1. Scott Nicholls – 3, 2, 2, 1, 0 = 8
2. Ellis Perks – 0, 0, 1, 1 = 2
3. Bradley Wilson-Dean – 2*, 2, 1, 2*, 2, 0 = 9+2
4. Michael Palm Toft – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 17
5. Ulrich Ostergaard (R/R) – (MPT-3), (BWD-2), (SN-2), (EP-1)
6. Simon Lambert – 2, 0, 1*, F = 3+1
7. Tom Bacon – 1*, 0, 3, 3, 2* = 9+2

Redcar Speedway have been informed that admission prices for the Championship Four Team Tournament will be:

£20 adults
£15 concessions
£5 children (5-15 year old )
and under 5 f.o.c.

There are no ‘Family ticket’ options for this meeting. Redcar season tickets are not valid for this meeting. Programmes are £4.

All 11 teams are taking part in the two qualifying rounds prior to the final. The meeting starts at 2pm and the turnstiles will be open from 12 noon. There will be two additional car parks available , one at the Engineering company after the main entrance to the motorsports park, the other will be at the rear of the former Council HQ building opposite the speedway car park. Please plan to arrive early to ease congestion.

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears welcome the Peterborough Panthers to the Media Prima Arena this Thursday, with a 7:30pm start.

The Panthers have an excellent recent record on Teesside, and are in some good form at the moment, and Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill is expecting a tough meeting:

This week we face Peterborough who have been a bit of a bogey team for us over the last couple of years. They are in very good form this year and beat Scunthorpe convincingly on Friday, so they will pose a big threat here today. However, we are a much different team to the one that was struggling at the beginning of the year and we will go into this fixture with confidence. Every one of our riders is now capable of scoring well around the MPA and I want to see each of them fighting hard for every point. We battled well against Berwick 2 weeks ago and although it will be a tough task around our circuit, I don’t want to be losing any more meetings at home.

The Bears now have a stronger look to the team after the recent changes, and Duffill reserved some praise for stand-in captain Jonas B Andersen after his excellent performance at home to Berwick:

It’s great to see Jonas B Andersen return to form. I made him captain after Ben got hurt at Sheffield in the hope it would boost his morale and he has responded superbly. Mikkel continues to impress me every week and he will benefit hugely from his experience with us this year. Jordy is now dialled in at home and is proving to be vital to us at reserve, but he must focus on trying to improve his performances away from home as ultimately, it is adapting to unfamiliar circuits that will make him a better rider and push his career further. Dimitri, Thomas and Nathan made encouraging debuts and we are definitely a better side with them on board. Dimitri and Thomas were impressively fast here 2 weeks ago whereas Nathan deserved a lot more points for his efforts. I love his never say die attitude and he is somebody I will be taking serious interest in for the 2019 season. There is a lot more to come from him and he is a pleasure to work with.

The Bears are missing a couple of riders for this weeks meeting. Ben Barker is still missing with his collarbone injury, with ex-Bear Aaron Summers guesting in his place. Thomas Jorgensen will also be missing as he is riding for Kings Lynn at Swindon, Josh Auty will guest in his place. Duffill is pleased to have got two good guests:

I have brought in Aaron Summers as a guest for Ben Barker who is still struggling with broken ribs and a broken collarbone. He is confident that he will be fit for the 4TT a week on Sunday. Aaron was impressive here a couple of weeks ago and always rides out track well. Unfortunately, we are also missing Thomas Jorgensen who is riding for Kings Lynn at Swindon but I am confident that Josh Auty will do a great job for us. He is in great form at present and is enjoying his best season for years. He always gives 100% and I’m very grateful to him and Scunthorpe for helping us out. Finding guests is not easy when we have so many teams racing on the same night so we are fortunate to have 2 good guests available to us.

Peterborough include seven-times British Scott Nicholls in their ranks, as well as one of last years standout riders for the Bears in Ellis Perks. Ulrich Ostergaard looks like he will unfortunately miss the meeting after crashing in the Panthers win over Ipswich at the weekend. 

Redcar: Aaron Summers, Mikkel B Andersen, Dimitri Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Josh Auty, Nathan Greaves, Jordan Stewart
Peterborough: Scott Nicholls, Ellis Perks, Bradley Wilson-Dean, Michael Palm Toft, tbc, Simon Lambert, Tom Bacon

Thursday’s Social Race Night in the Bears bar will also include a chat from our co- promoter Kevin Keay on the forth coming four team tournament arrangements, updates on the team front and the future of British speedway.

There will be some ‘spot prize’ competitions as well as the usual exciting race action so be the first to hear the ‘gossip’ and get yourselves to the Bears Bar, action starts at 7:30pm .

BRITISH Speedway bosses are giving fans the chance to own their own piece of history – all in a good cause.
The race jackets produced specifically for the Sports Insure British Final have all been signed by the individual rider and are now available to purchase. 

The British Speedway Promoters’ Association have also revealed all profits from the sale will be donated to the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.
The top 16 race jackets are available at £75 each (signed) plus postage – and reserves Jack Smith and Kyle Bickley have signed theirs and are available for just £35.

Major events committee member Debbie Hancock said: “It was a truly wonderful occasion and I’m sure anyone who was there or watched on TV will agree with me.
“This is the first time we have tried this and it will be interesting to see the response. They race jackets are individually signed and race worn and I expect plenty of interest as they are collectors’ items.”

To obtain one of these jackets email rebels@oaktreearena.co.uk with the rider name or number you would like to buy.
Said Debbie: “They will be sold on a first come first serve basis.
“Once we have received your email we will then send you Paypal Details and ask for your name and address for postage purposes.”

Redcar ‘ECCO Finishing Supplies’ Bears travel up to the borders tonight, to take on the Berwick Bandits with a 7pm start.

The Bears will travel with renewed optimism after Thursdays excellent 50-40 win, and with Thomas Jorgensen and Dimitri Berge both being former Bandits it should see the Bears in good stead. Ty Prcotor will again guest for the injured Ben Barker.

For the Bandits, there are still question marks over the fitness of Jye Etheridge after his nasty looking tumble on Thursday. 

Redcar: Ty Proctor, Mikkel B Andersen, Dimitri Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Thomas Jorgensen, Nathan Greaves, Jordan Stewart
Berwick: Aaron Summers, Kevin Doolan, Jye Etheridge (tbc), David Howe, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, Dany Gappmaier, Theo Pijper