Category: Bears News

TIGERS boss Brian Turner has challenged his Middlesbrough side to grab some wins in the side’s remaining three fixtures – starting today with a trip to the Hydroscand Arena (tapes up at 3pm) to take on the Leicester Lion Cubs in the WSRA National Development League. 

The “Heat Floors” Tigers chief knows the size of the challenge the Tigers will face this afternoon. Turner said, “ Leicester are a very good side at this level, they have been strong throughout the season so it will be a tough test.”

The former rider turned manager admits it’s been a year of learning in his debut year as team manager. Turner commented, “ I didn’t really know what to expect (when I took over) so everything has been a learning curve but I think we have been unfortunate in some meetings. Overall, I have enjoyed it and I’m looking for a couple of wins to finish the season.”

The likeable local lad was happy with the performance of Tigers starlet Stene Pijper in Middlesbrough’s last outing at Belle Vue. Turner said, “ Although Stene ran lasts in heats 13 & 15, it was very impressive.”

Despite the Tigers sitting second bottom of the league table, Turner is happy with the side so far this season. Turner said, “ All of the boys have given it their all, they have had some misfortune here and there but as a unit they have done brilliantly.”

Turner, who finished his racing career at Edinburgh, admits some of his riders have been “trying too hard” in some races. Turner explained, “ Some of the boys have tried that little too hard in some races. On some occasions, they need to relax a little more and settle for the position they are in.”

Middlesbrough welcome Tom Spencer back into the side after a shoulder injury but Kai Ward misses out due to illness. Ward’s place is taken by the Redcar Cubs number one Jack Shimelt.

Leicester also have their own problems with Max James and Max Perry out through injury with rider replacement operating in Perry’s absence whilst Belle Vue Colts’ Harry Fletcher guests for James. In the absence of their skipper James, ex Tigers Ben Trigger captains the side. 

The Lion Cubs also hand a debut to Calum Mitchell with the hosts looking to chase down the Oxford Chargers at the top of the table with the Chargers currently holding a five point advantage over Leicester. 

Leicester Lion Cubs 

1) Cooper Rushen

2) Calum Mitchell

3) Rider Replacement for Max Perry

4) Harry Fletcher (G)

5) Ben Trigger © 

6) Ryan Ingram

7) Eli Meadows

™: Jen Crossland

Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers powered by “STS”

1) Ace Pijper ©

2) Elliot Kelly

3) Stene Pijper

4) Jamie Halder

5) Tom Spencer

6) Jack Shimelt

7) Charlie Southwick

™: Brian Turner

REDCAR produced a stunning team display to secure their 10th home win of 2025 with a 55-35 win over the Scunthorpe Scorpions. Ace Pijper hit a Championship best paid 14 for the Bears whilst Steve Worrall (10) and Luke Harrison (8+2) shone for Scunthorpe. 

The win over the Scorpions has virtually secured Redcar’s place in the play-offs with two meetings to go. Redcar have leapfrogged Edinburgh to move into 3rd of the Cab Direct Championship table. 

The Bears began the evening with a heat advantage as Charles Wright won convincingly, and with rider replacement (due to the unwell Jody Scott) Pijper 3rd, Redcar had their noses in front after the opening race at the ECCO Arena. 

The reserves race saw Pijper and Jake Mulford bolt from the gate for a serene maximum, and suddenly, Redcar were already six ahead. Luke Harrison registered Scunthorpe’s first winner in heat three as the young Brit flew from the gate and held off Redcar guest Lewi Kerr for the win, but with Connor Mountain at the back, Scunthorpe remained six down. 

Redcar struck their second 5-1 in heat four as Danny King won, and with Pijper providing fireworks to pull clear of Jake Allen (who then retired), the hosts had a stunning 10 point advantage. 

Heat five saw Redcar continue their turbo charged start with another 5-1 as Kerr took his first win of the night, and with Jason Edwards producing a classy outside pass on Zaine Kennedy at the conclusion of lap one, the Scorpions were in tatters at 22-8. 

Scunthorpe finally registered their first heat advantage in heat six as Allen won, and with Luke Killeen 3rd, the Scorpions finally had something to cheer, with more drama following the race’s conclusion. 

After the chequered flag, Wright and Allen collided with the Aussie hitting the deck. Allen sprung up and immediately went over to remonstrate with Wright. The pair then came to blows with both having to be pulled apart but the pair did embrace when they returned to the pit gate. 

After the fireworks on track, the original staging of heat seven saw Mountain fall on bend two of the opening lap, with the Scorpion excluded from the re-run. The re-run saw Redcar continue their powerhouse start as King won, and with Pijper in an unopposed 3rd, the Bears fans were dreaming of a big home win. 

Heat eight saw Redcar sat on a 5-1 until Simon Lambert hit the deck, with the referee ordering a re-run with three riders. The restaging saw Edwards win, but with Kennedy getting the better of Mulford, the Bears had to settle for a 4-2. 

Harrison took a tactical substitute ride for the beleaguered visitors in heat nine, but it looked to be a forlorn throw of the dice as Edwards and Kerr were sat on a 5-1. However, Kerr lost control of his machine, hitting the deck with the race awarded as a shared heat which was some solace for the bottom of the table Scorpions. 

The rampant hosts hit their 7th heat advantage in heat 10 as the incredibly impressive Pijper gated and was gone from all the rest of the field, and with Wright 2nd, the Bears remarkably led by 20 points. 

Scunthorpe finally registered their first maximum as Worrall won, and with Kennedy surprisingly holding off King, the visitors reduced the arrears to 16 points.

After Pijper capped off his fabulous evening as he passed both Scorpions to win a shared heat 12, Redcar’s 20 point advantage was re-established as King and Wright took a comfortable maximum to send the Redcar fans into dreamland. 

The penultimate race saw Kerr continue a good evening’s work with a win, and with Mulford 3rd, the “Agilia” Bears extended their lead to 22 points. Heat 15 saw Scunthorpe end the meeting positively as Worrall won, and with Harrison 3rd, the visitors ended with an advantage. 

Redcar Bears = 55

1. Charles Wright = 9+2

2. Jody Scott R/R

3. Jason Edwards = 9+2

4. Lewis Kerr (G) = 10

5. Danny King = 10

6. Jake Mulford = 4+1

7. Ace Pijper = 13+1

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 35

1. Steve Worrall = 10

2. Zaine Kennedy = 4+1

3. Luke Harrison = 8+2

4. Connor Mountain = 3

5. Jake Allen = 5

6. Luke Killeen (G) = 3

7. Simon Lambert = 2

REDCAR boss Gavin Parr has reminded his “Agilia” Bears side they cannot relax ahead of tomorrow night’s Cab Direct Championship clash against bottom of the table Scunthorpe. Redcar’s penultimate home league match gets underway at 7:30pm at the ECCO Arena.

The Bears are on the verge of play-off qualification but despite the visiting Scorpions being bottom of the table, Parr knows the threat the Scorpions will provide.

Parr said, “We can’t relax, Scunthorpe may be bottom of the league but they don’t ride the ECCO Arena like a bottom placed side at all. Some of their side such as Simon Lambert, Connor Mountain & Jake Allen probably rate our place as one of their favourites.”

Despite Charles Wright (shoulder) and Danny King (hand) nursing injuries, Parr knows both men are doing everything they can to stay on track. 

Parr said, “Danny has assured me he is doing everything he can to stay on track. In Charles’ case, he felt he needed a few days’ rest after riding Plymouth last week. Barring any issues for Danny tonight, both will be riding tomorrow, they won’t be at 100% but it’s at that time of the year when riders have had a lot of meetings so they are going to have knocks.”

The British boss, who returns to the fold after missing the trip to Plymouth, knows his side need to keep their momentum going. 

Parr said, “ Everybody seems to be coming into some form at the right time. Jody (Scott) has done brilliantly after his shock to the system when he initially moved into the main body but he has stepped it up again which is fantastic. Ace (Pijper) had a blip at Plymouth but he has been fantastic for us recently.”

The enthusiastic leader is happy to see Jake Mulford’s return to reserve coincide with a blistering run of form. Parr said, “Jake needed to get back from his European exploits but he seems to have hit form now which has been helped by being settled and not travelling around Europe.”

Despite Redcar being on the verge of play-off qualification, Parr is not taking anything for granted. Parr said, “ I’d like us to finish as high as possible, we haven’t qualified yet, we need some points from our last three matches but if we qualify, we could leapfrog Edinburgh and finish 3rd but my main focus is on getting enough points to make the top four.”

Scunthorpe are without Declan Kennedy who suffered a leg injury at Plymouth with Oxford’s Luke Killeen guesting in his countryman’s place. The Scorpions travel north boasting two ex-Bears who have amassed 36 appearances in Bears colours plus Luke Harrison who spent the majority of his first professional season guesting for Redcar. 

Redcar once again call on the services of ex-Bear Lewi Kerr to guest in place of the unwell Erik Riss with the rest of the side remaining unchanged. 

Fans who are unable to attend the fixture are reminded that the meeting is being broadcast by BSN @ watch.britishspeedway.co.uk 

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright (C) 8.92

2 Jody Scott 4.50

3 Jason Edwards 6.52

4 Lewi Kerr (G) 7.12 

5 Danny King 8.57

6 Jake Mulford 4.43

7 Ace Pijper 3.14

™: Gavin Parr

Scunthorpe Scorpions

1 Steve Worrall 7.42

2 Zaine Kennedy 5.77

3 Luke Harrison 5.09

4 Connor Mountain 6.41

5 Jake Allen 6.57

6 Luke Killeen (G) 5.00

7 Simon Lambert © 4.86

™: David Howe

REDCAR took a big step towards the Cab Direct Championship play-offs with a 44-46 away win at Plymouth. The in-form Bears picked up their 4th away win of their league season as Jake Mulford hit his best performance at second tier level with paid 12 whilst Scott Nicholls struck paid 19 for Plymouth. 

The luckless hosts were forced to race the last six heats with a four man team after two of their guests, Declan Kennedy and Tobias Thomsen crashed out, leaving Plymouth with an uphill struggle. 

Plymouth opened proceedings with a heat win as Tobias Thomsen made an electric gate to win, but with Zaine Kennedy unable to pass Charles Wright, it was a shared race to start the evening. 

The reserves race saw the hosts take the lead on the night as Alfie Bowtell won, and with Kai Ward getting the better of a tangle with Ace Pijper (Pijper fell and remounted to finish), the play-off chasing Gladiators had the early advantage. 

However, Redcar levelled up in heat three as guest number four, Lewi Kerr romped to a comfortable win, and with Jason Edwards 3rd, the “Agilia” Bears had parity. 

Parity did not last long for the visitors though as Nicholls gated to win, but with Danny King passing Bowtell for 2nd, Plymouth had to settle for a 4-2. Heat five saw Plymouth extend their lead as the impressive Thomsen won, and with Declan Kennedy 3rd despite Jody Scott looking to have edged it on the line, the Gladiators fans were dreaming of another home win. 

The battling Bears hit back in heat six as King took his first chequered flag of the match with a comfortable win, and with Jake Mulford second, Redcar were back level. Kerr continued his faultless start to proceedings as he lowered the colours of Nicholls for the win, and with Edwards 3rd, Redcar took the lead for the first time. 

Heat eight saw Nicholls in as a rider replacement but he was no match for Mulford who took a scintillating win, and with Scott riding well to hold off Bowtell, the Bears doubled their advantage to four points at the Coliseum. 

Disaster struck in heat nine for the Gladiators as Declan Kennedy hit King’s back wheel, sending the Australian and his teammate for the evening, Thomsen careering into the air fence. After a delay, both walked back to the pits with Kennedy looking to have suffered a leg injury. 

The re-run saw Thomsen return but Kennedy was withdrawn from the meeting and replaced in heat nine by Bowtell. King, who was on a warning for moving at the start during the original staging, made the gate but his back wheel was clipped by Thomsen, sending the Dane into the fence. After receiving medical attention, Thomsen rose but had to withdraw with an ankle injury. 

The 3rd and final staging saw Bowtell gate, but with King going high and wide to pass the Plymouth reserve and take the win, and with Pijper 3rd, Redcar stormed into a six point lead. 

However, the hosts kept fighting and took a 5-1 as Kerr broke down at the tapes, leaving Edwards with the job of trying to pass Zaine Kennedy and tactical substitute Scott Nicholls, but with Edwards unable to reel either in, Plymouth reduced the arrears to two points. 

After Nicholls won a shared heat 12, Redcar re-established their six point buffer as Edwards took his maiden win of the evening, and with the equally impressive Mulford 2nd, Redcar were back in full control on away shale. 

Nevertheless, the luckless Gladiators remained in touch with a 4-2 in heat 13 as Nicholls won, and with Zaine Kennedy surprisingly holding off King, an unlikely home win was still a possibility. 

However, Plymouth’s hopes were ended in the penultimate race as Kerr won, and with Mulford 3rd ahead of Ward, Redcar wrapped up a precious away win. The Gladiators ended the match on a positive note however as Zaine Kennedy won, and with the evergreen Nicholls in 2nd, the Gladiators ensured they were only defeated by two points. 

Plymouth Gladiators = 44 (80)

1. Zaine Kennedy (G) = 8 

2. Joe Thompson R/R  

3. Tobias Thomsen (G) = 8   

4. Declan Kennedy (G) = 1 

5. Scott Nicholls = 17+2

6. Alfie Bowtell = 9

7. Kai Ward (G) = 1

Redcar Bears = 46 (100)

1. Charles Wright = 7+1

2. Jody Scott = 4+1

3. Jason Edwards = 6

4. Lewis Kerr (G) = 10

5. Danny King = 8

6. Jake Mulford = 10+2

7. Ace Pijper = 1

REDCAR star Jason Edwards knows his side need to be wary of the threat posed by Plymouth as the “Agilia” Bears make the long trip south to take on the Gladiators, with tapes up at 7pm at the Coliseum. 

Redcar head into the meeting with an 18 point advantage on aggregate after a convincing 54-36 win on home shale last night. 

Edwards, who has amassed an 8 point average in 2025, knows the threat the Gladiators pose. Edwards said, “ Plymouth’s track is a whole beast in itself, they have turned Poole over last week and they are good around the Coliseum but we have a good record there so we will be looking to carry that on tonight.” 

The Bears mainstay is happy with how he is progressing in 2025, with Edwards set to finish the season with another numerical improvement according to the greensheet averages. Edwards said, “ I’ve been happy this season, it’s been a steady year, I haven’t done anything spectacular but I’m being consistent and I’m gradually getting better which is the main thing.”

With Gavin Parr competing in a Hyrox competition in the north of England, ex-Bears team manager Jade Mudgway returns to the hotseat for one night only and Edwards is happy to have Mudgway around. Edwards said, “ Let’s hope Gav’s Hyrox competition goes well in the over 50’s category but Jade is always good to have around.”

The Brit also lavished praise on the fantastic support Redcar receive home and away. Edwards remarked, “ No matter where we go the Bears fans turn out in force, whether that is on the back straight at Berwick or on the first bend at Scunthorpe, the Redcar fans are brilliant and there aren’t many clubs like that.”

Redcar bring in Lewi Kerr to guest for the side’s next two fixtures (Plymouth (A) and Scunthorpe (H). with the rest of the side remaining unchanged. A win for the “Agilia” Bears this evening would leave the side in an extremely strong position in Redcar’s play-off quest.

Plymouth are forced into the guest market after the injuries to Ben Barker and Joe Thompson. Additionally, Nicolai Klindt is unavailable and with Tom Spencer still injured, Plymouth boss Garry May has booked three guests and will operate rider replacement. 

Zaine Kennedy guest at number one with his brother, Declan Kennedy coming in at number four whilst rider replacement covers for Joe Thompson at number two. Tobias Thomsen continues as a guest as planned but moves to number three whilst Kai Ward once again deputises for the aforementioned Spencer. 

Fans who are unable to attend the match are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed at Live Streaming – Plymouth Speedway 

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1 Charles Wright (C) 8.92

2 Jody Scott 4.50

3 Jason Edwards 6.52

4 Lewi Kerr (G) 7.12 

5 Danny King 8.57

6 Jake Mulford 4.43

7 Ace Pijper 3.14

™: Jade Mudgway

Plymouth Gladiators

1 Zaine Kennedy (G) 8.69

2 Rider Replacement for Joe Thompson 5.12

3 Tobias Thomsen (G) 5.43

4 Declan Kennedy 5.4

5 Scott Nicholls © 8.60

6 Alfie Bowtell 4.18

7 Kai Ward (G) 2.00

™: Garry May

REDCAR boosted their play-off hopes with a 54-36 win over the Plymouth Gladiators. Bears skipper Charles Wright continued his stellar season with 14 whilst Nicolai Klindt hit 11 for the visitors. 

Plymouth’s hopes were hit with a huge blow in heat three as both Ben Barker and Joe Thompson crashed heavily on the opening bends, with both withdrawn from the remainder of the meeting. 

Plymouth started with a heat advantage as their guest, Tobias Thomsen won, and with Klindt 3rd, the visitors had the early lead. However, heat two saw the Bears level matters as Jake Mulford won, and with Ace Pijper 3rd, Redcar registered their first heat advantage. 

Heat three saw disaster strike for Plymouth as Ben Barker locked up and suffered a heavy crash, and with Joe Thompson taking avoiding action, both were forced to withdraw with injury. 

After a lengthy delay, Leon Flint and Jason Edwards rode to a comfortable 5-1 ahead of reserve replacement Kai Ward. After a shared heat four won by Danny King, Redcar extended their lead to six points as Edwards won, but with Klindt passing Flint on lap two, he limited the damage for his side. 

Heat six saw a superb race as Wright passed Nicholls for the win, and with Jody Scott passing Alfie Bowtell for 3rd, Redcar secured their 4th heat advantage to open up an eight point lead on Teesside. 

After Klindt won as a tactical substitution in a shared heat seven, heat eight saw a nasty crash as Pijper reared and then tangled with Bowtell with the referee excluding Pijper from the re-run. The re-run saw Plymouth halve the deficit as Thomson won, and with Bowtell 2nd, Redcar still had the Gladiators on their tail. 

After Nicholls took his maiden chequered flag of the night in a shared heat nine, Redcar re-established their eight point advantage as Scott made an electric gate, and with Wright cruising round all three competitors, Redcar were in command at the ECCO Arena. 

Heat 11 saw Klindt win, but with Thomsen 4th, the visitors could not eat into Redcar’s lead. Heat 12 saw Edwards win with relative ease, and with Pijper passing the game Kai Ward for 3rd, Redcar’s lead grew to 10 points. 

Heat 13 saw Wright and King emerge on the exit of bend four in a 5-1 position, and that was the way it stayed despite pressure from Klindt, and with another Redcar maximum heat advantage, the Bears had secured the two league points. 

Flint capped off a successful guest appearance with a win, and with Mulford passing Bowtell for the paid win, Redcar’s advantage grew further with the aggregate point up for grabs tomorrow. 

The final heat saw Wright win, but with Klindt passing Edwards, Redcar could not gain a heat advantage but the hosts did secure a sizeable 18 point advantage for the aggregate point at Plymouth tonight. 

Redcar Bears = 54

1. Charles Wright = 14

2. Jody Scott = 4+1

3. Jason Edwards = 10+1

4. Leon Flint (G) = 8+1

5. Danny King = 8+2

6. Jake Mulford = 8+2

7. Ace Pijper = 2+1

Plymouth Gladiators = 36

1. Nicolai Klindt = 11+1

2. Tobias Thomson (G) = 6

3. Ben Barker = 0 

4. Joe Thompson = 0 

5. Scott Nicholls = 9

6. Alfie Bowtell = 9

7. Kai Ward (G) = 1

REDCAR skipper Charles Wright has issued a simple challenge to his teammates – to keep winning at home as Redcar look to consolidate 4th spot in the Cab Direct Championship. Redcar take on Plymouth tomorrow night at the ECCO Arena with tapes up at 7:30pm. 

Redcar face the Gladiators home and away in the space of 24 hours with Redcar looking to extinguish Plymouth’s hopes of making the play-offs by defeating the Gladiators at the ECCO Arena and then again at the Coliseum on Saturday. 

Wright, who is enjoying a stellar year in the sport, knows his side cannot afford any slip-ups at home in their quest for silverware. Wright said, “ We just need to keep winning at home, that’s the most important thing. We could have got some more aggregate points with a full side but we just need to get into the play-offs and anything can happen from there.”

The British number two knows the Gladiators will be another tough test. Wright said, “ Plymouth are a solid side throughout, they beat Poole last Saturday so we will have to be on our A game to get the win.”

Despite sitting 4th in the second tier averages in 2025 and finishing 2nd in the British Final, Wright admits he does not know if he has reached his peak in the sport. Wright said, “ How long is a piece of string? I seem to be getting better with age but it’s hard to say as I aim to get better each year.”

The former British Champion admits it has been hard to run with rider replacement due to the pressure put on himself and Danny King. Wright said, “ Rider replacement has been hard as it puts extra pressure on me and Danny (King) at the end of meetings so it is good for us all that we have Leon Flint on Friday and Lewi Kerr on Saturday.”

Wright is also happy to see the development of Redcar’s heat eight heroes against Berwick six days ago. Wright said, “ Ace (Pijper) is doing a great job and Jody (Scott) is coming on well despite him moving into the main body earlier than expected. It’s also good that we have got Jake (Mulford) back with us now and I’m sure he will be back into his groove soon.”

Redcar bring in the aforementioned Leon Flint to guest for long term absentee Erik Riss. Plymouth welcome back their number one, Nicolai Klindt after the Dane’s schedule clashed with recent Gladiators fixtures. The visitors also bring in Tobias Thomsen in place of the injured Lasse Fredriksen. Plymouth also track two ex-Bears in Ben Barker and Tom Spencer. 

Any supporters who are unable to attend the Cab Direct Championship clash are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed at www.redcar-speedway.tv 

Redcar Agilia Bears

1 Charles Wright (C) 8.92

2 Jody Scott 4.50

3 Jason Edwards 6.52

4 Leon Flint (G) 7.12 

5 Danny King 8.57

6 Jake Mulford 4.43

7 Ace Pijper 3.14

™: Gavin Parr

Plymouth Gladiators

1 Nicolai Klindt 8.69

2 Tobias Thomsen (G) 5.43

3 Ben Barker (c) 5.40

4 Joe Thompson 5.12

5 Scott  Nicholls 8.60

6 Alfie Bowtell 4.18

7 Tom Spencer 2.00

™: Garry May

The Belle Vue Colts recorded their first win of the season with a 46-43 win over the Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers at the National Speedway Stadium. 

The Colts claimed the win in a last heat decider despite Ace Pijper being the star man on show with a superb 17 point haul for Middlesbrough whilst Belle Vue’s William Cairns top scored with 13 . Despite defeat, the Tigers can hold their heads high with rider replacement for Tom Spencer (injured last night at Plymouth) returning three points, a figure Spencer would have likely surpassed. 

The Colts began positively as Cairns won, but with Ace Pijper passing Jack Shimelt for 2nd, Belle Vue had to settle with a 4-2. However, heat two saw Kai Ward win, and with Tigers debutant Charlie Southwick 2nd, the Tigers had a two point lead of their own. 

Heat three saw the well supported Colts hit back as Mason Watson and Jack Kingston rode to a 5-1 maximum which re-established Belle Vue’s two point advantage. 

Heat four saw Hodder lead, but with the Tigers packing the minor placings, the race looked set to be shared. However, when home reserve Billy Budd retired with mechanical problems, the visitors were not under any pressure for a share of the spoils but debutant Elliot Kelly also ground to a halt, giving Belle Vue a 3-2 advantage. 

The topsy turvy nature of the meeting saw Middlesbrough yet again hit the front by a solitary point as Pijper and Southwick combined to a maximum with Watson and Kingston (off 15m due to a starting offence) unable to make any impression on the Tigers duo. 

Heat six saw Belle Vue hit their second 5-1 as Cairns and the impressive Jack Shimelt combined to a comfortable maximum to give the Colts a 19-16 lead in Manchester. 

Heat seven saw the hosts sat on a 5-1 as Hodder led, and with Harry Fletcher comfortably 2nd exiting the final bend of the final lap, Belle Vue looked set to go into a seven point lead. However, Fletcher suffered a breakdown, allowing Jamie Halder and Stene Pijper through for the first shared heat of the match. 

Belle Vue stretched their lead to five points in heat eight as Shimelt won, but with Kelly improving to pass Fletcher, the Colts had to settle for a 4-2. 

Heat nine saw Ward flip the bike out of the start, and collected Kingston in the process, causing the Colts number three to fly over the handlebars and hit the deck at speed. After Kingston was examined and thus withdrawn, Ward was excluded from the re-run. 

The second staging saw Ace Pijper win convincingly, but with the Colts unopposed for the minor placings, Belle Vue maintained their five point lead. Next up we had heat 10 which Cairns won convincingly but with Halder having bike problems, Fletcher came through for 3rd which extended the hosts lead to seven points at the National Speedway Stadium. 

Ace Pijper continued his sparkling afternoon with a heat 11 win, but with Kelly falling whilst in 3rd, Middlesbrough had to settle with a 3-3. Heat 12 saw Middlesbrough record a much needed 4-2 as Stene Pijper won, and with Ward 3rd, the Tigers were within five of the Colts. 

Ace Pijper lowered the colours of Cairns with a strong win in heat 13, but with his brother Stene unable to pass despite a strong ride, the Tigers were still five adrift. 

However, Middlesbrough were not finished just yet and sent the meeting to a last heat decider as Halder won after Fletcher packed up for the hosts, and with Southwick 3rd, (despite being 2nd until he was passed due to a bike issue) we had a last heat decider in the WSRA National Development League. 

The final race saw Ace Pijper pass both Colts through the smallest of gaps on the back straight, but with Stene unable to pass either Colt despite threatening too at some stages of the race, Belle Vue secured a hard fought 46-43 win on home shale. 

Belle Vue Colts = 46

1. William Cairns = 13

2. Jack Shimelt = 8+1

3. Jack Kingston = 2+1 WITHDRAWN

4. Mason Watson = 8

5. Freddy Hodder = 10+2

6. Harry Fletcher = 4+1

7. Billy Budd = 1+1

Middlesbrough Tigers = 43

1. Ace Pijper = 17

2. Elliot Kelly = 2

3. Stene Pijper = 6+1

4. Jamie Halder = 6

5. Tom Spencer = R/R 

6. Kai Ward = 5

7. Charlie Southwick = 7+2

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Brian Turner has told his “Heat Floors” Tigers side to “have fun” on their bikes and “ride with nothing to lose” ahead of the side’s trip to the National Speedway Stadium today to take on the Belle Vue Colts with tapes up at 1pm in Manchester. 

The Tigers currently sit second bottom of the table with the battle against the Colts pitting them against the side that sit bottom of the table. The Tigers have three points from six matches with today’s hosts yet to get off the mark from their five meetings. 

Turner, in his debut year as team boss, has stressed the importance of enjoying the rest of the WSRA National Development League season. Turner said, “ We have got nothing to lose so it’s all about the boys going out there having fun on their bikes and staying injury free.”

The former rider turned team manager is excited to see what the club’s new signings, Elliot Kelly and Charlie Southwick can do in Middlesbrough colours. Turner said, “ I’m excited to see them in Tigers’ colours and it will be good to see what they have to offer.”

Despite the side’s recent run (two home defeats in a row), Turner believes his side can do damage in Manchester. Turner said, “ Ace (Pijper) has already told me that his aim is to get the better of Will Cairns and Freddy Hodder. Ace also mentioned that his brother Stene had success against Hodder at Belle Vue last season which should make things interesting!”

The energetic Tigers chief also reserved praise for Kai Ward who moves back into the reserve berth for today’s clash. Turner said, “ Kai has had a little bit of an up and down year but he now seems to have found that form again, and if you compare our reserves to their reserves, that could be a game changer for us but you never know what will happen.”

Despite sitting second bottom of the table, Turner believes his side have been “close” to much more throughout the campaign. Turner said “ Apart from the match against Leicester, we have been close in every other match, we have just been on the wrong side of the results.”

Middlesbrough hand debuts to the aforementioned Elliot Kelly and Charlie Southwick whilst Belle Vue’s William Cairns will look to lead from the front and help his side register their first points of their league campaign. 

Belle Vue Colts

1. William Cairns
2. Jack Shimelt
3. Jack Kingston
4. Mason Watson
5. Freddy Hodder
6. Harry Fletcher
7. Billy Budd

Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers Powered by “STS”

1. Ace Pijper
2. Elliot Kelly
3. Stene Pijper
4. Jamie Halder
5. Tom Spencer
6. Kai Ward
7. Charlie Southwick