Category: Bears News

REDCAR battled to two more Cab Direct Championship points with a 47-43 win over the Berwick Bandits at the ECCO Arena. Charles Wright and Danny King both hit 13 for Redcar whilst the impressive Jonas Jeppesen struck paid 14 on his ECCO Arena debut for Berwick. 

The meeting was a closely fought affair throughout with the sides never separated by more than six points. Despite defeat on the night, Berwick did take away a deserved point for their efforts with a 91-89 aggregate success. 

Wright opened proceedings with a fine heat one win, and with Jody Scott getting the better of his opposite number Sam Hagon for 3rd, the “Agilia” Bears had the lead. 

After a shared heat two won by the returning Jake Mulford, Berwick edged into an 8-10 advantage with their first 5-1 of the match. Drew Kemp won, and with Jeppesen passing the battling Scott for 2nd, the Bandits supporters were delighted with their early lead.

Heat four saw King hit the deck on the first turn, with the Brit somewhat gingerly returning to his feet, but in considerable discomfort with his left hand. However, King returned to the tapes to pick up a second place behind Peter Kildemand in a shared heat on Teesside. 

Jason Edwards opened his account in heat five with a comfortable win, but despite Mulford’s best efforts to claim 3rd ahead of Nick Morris, he was unable to make the pass, meaning Berwick held onto their two point advantage. 

After Kildemand and King won a pair of shared races, Redcar edged ahead with a 5-1 in heat eight. Ace Pijper won impressively from the gate, and with Scott riding superbly to change lines and pass Jack Smith up the inside in the latter stages, Redcar had a two point lead of their own. 

The play-off chasing Bears doubled their advantage in heat nine as King won, and with Edwards 3rd (despite pressuring Kildemand late on for 2nd), the Bears had back to back heat advantages and a four point lead on Teesside. 

However, Berwick responded with a 4-2 of their own in heat 10 as Kemp held off the hard charging Wright, but with Jeppesen close to the front two throughout and taking 3rd, the Bandits kept on fighting. 

Nevertheless, Redcar returned the favour with another 4-2 as the courageous King won again, and with Mulford passing Hagon for 3rd, Redcar had their sights set on all three league points on offer. 

After a shared heat 12 won by Jeppesen, heat 13 saw Redcar level proceedings on aggregate (six up on the night) with their 5th heat advantage as Wright won, and with King battling through into 3rd, the Redcar support were beaming from ear to ear. 

Heat 14 saw Kemp and Smith line-up for the visitors until a late change by the Berwick management saw Jeppesen in as a tactical substitute. The move paid huge dividends for Berwick as Jeppesen passed Edwards and his partner Kemp (who finished 2nd) to win, which gave us a last heat decider with Redcar holding a slender 43-41 lead.

The final race of a superb evening’s entertainment was a thriller. Kemp led out of bend two of the opening lap, but heading out of bend four of lap one, it was four wide crossing the start/finish line with all four not giving an inch. Jeppesen led entering the backstraight on lap two, but Wright usurped him and when Kemp made a mistake, King was through for 3rd. The last two laps saw Jeppesen throw everything at Wright, but it was to no avail as Wright won, and with King 3rd, Redcar secured the win with Berwick gaining the aggregate point. 

Redcar Bears = 47 (89)

1. Charles Wright = 13

2. Jody Scott = 5+2

3. Jason Edwards = 7

4. Erik Riss R/R

5. Danny King = 13

6. Jake Mulford = 4

7. Ace Pijper = 5+2

Berwick Bandits = 43 (91)

1. Nick Morris = 5+1

2. Sam Hagon = 2

3. Jonas Jeppesen = 12+2

4. Drew Kemp = 10+1

5. Peter Kildemand = 10

6. Dayle Wood = 1+1

7. Jack Smith = 3

BEARS boss Gavin Parr has urged his side to “keep firing” ahead of Redcar’s big Cab Direct Championship match (tapes up at 7:30pm) against Berwick tomorrow at the ECCO Arena. Three league points are up for grabs with Redcar looking to overturn a six point deficit from their defeat at Berwick earlier this season. 

Redcar are set to return to home shale on a high after a huge 41-49 away win at Oxford which puts the side in a strong position. However, Parr knows that his side need to “back up” Wednesday’s big win to keep on track for the play-offs.

Parr said, “ The boys just need to keep firing and do what we have been doing. The result against Oxford will mean nothing if we don’t back it up against the Bandits with another win.”

The Bears boss also reserved praise for his opposite number, Berwick boss Stewart Dickson. Parr said, “ Berwick have got one of the best managers in the league in Stewart, he certainly knows what he’s doing!”

With Redcar using rider replacement for Erik Riss due to guest unavailability, the former Redcar Cub knows his side are in for a tough test. Parr said, “ We proved against Oxford that we can do the job, it will be tough but there’s no reason we can’t follow Oxford up with a win against Berwick.”

With Jake Mulford returning last night, Parr was delighted to have six of his side together again. The Redcar boss said, “ I was happy to see Jake back, he may not have scored what he was hoping for but that will come. It was great to have six of the seven together again.”

The Bandits have recently strengthened their side, with Nick Morris and Jonas Jeppesen coming in at number one and number three respectively. Additionally, Drew Kemp and Peter Kildemand line-up at four and five respectively and Parr knows the Bandits are a threat. 

Parr said, “ Berwick have recently strengthened up and they are a strong side, they have riders who will be a threat so it’s up to the boys to work together and get the win.”

The enthusiastic Bears boss also reserved praise for Jason Edwards and Ace Pijper who took heat 15 in Redcar’s win at Oxford. Parr said, “ Jason is turning into a trump card, he’s scoring big points week in, week out. Ace is getting better each match and he was comfortably 3rd ahead of Cameron Heeps last night in heat 15 which is a really good sign.”

Berwick visit the ECCO Arena needing to win to re-ignite any hopes of a late play-off charge after the Borders based outfit lost away at Edinburgh and at home to Oxford last weekend.

Supporters who are unable to attend the match 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 RR for Erik Riss 7.12

5 Danny King 8.57

6 Jake Mulford 4.43

7 Ace Pijper 3.14

™: Gavin Parr

Berwick Bandits

1 Nick Morris 8.82

2 Sam Hagon 3.26

3 Jonas Jeppesen 7.28

4 Drew Kemp (c) 7.40

5 Peter Kildemand 7.79

6 Dayle Wood 2.00

7 Jack Smith 2.96

™: Stewart Dickson

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears stormed to a 41-49 away win at Oxford to record back to back away league wins. Sam Masters led the Oxford charge with 19+1 whilst Leon Flint struck an 11+1 maximum for Redcar. 

The Bears secured all three league points with a convincing 83-97 aggregate success which strengthens the side’s play-off aspirations. 

The Cheetahs skipper, Sam Masters opened proceedings with a heat win, but with Charles Wright passing Cameron Heeps for 3rd, the Bears shared the opening race. 

The reserves race saw Redcar gate well, but with Jake Mulford and Ace Pijper being passed by Luke Killeen and Jacob Hook respectively, Oxford had an early lead on home shale. However, heat three saw Redcar hit back in some style as Jason Edwards won, and with Flint battling into 2nd, the visitors levelled matters. 

Redcar moved into the lead as Danny King won his opening race comfortably, and with Pijper riding an intelligent line to hold off Francis Gusts, the Bears had a four point lead in Oxfordshire. 

After Wright battled to the front to win a shared heat five, disaster struck for Mitch McDiarmid in the next race. Masters won, and with his countryman 3rd, Oxford looked set to hit back. However, McDiarmid’s chain snapped, allowing Mulford through for 3rd to give Redcar a shared heat. 

Heat seven saw the Redcar engine room fire to another maximum heat advantage as Flint won, and with Edwards 2nd and in cruise control, the Oxford fans were left wondering if their side were already too far behind at 17-25. 

However, Oxford hit back in heat eight as Masters (in as rider replacement) led yet again, and with Killeen storming past the Bears and then passing the team riding Masters to win the race, the Cheetahs cut the gap to four at Sandy Lane. 

Nevertheless, Redcar immediately hit back as King won again, and with Mulford in a confidence boosting 3rd, Redcar were six ahead in their quest for back to back away wins. 

Heat 10 saw Sam Masters only real support, Luke Killeen excluded for touching the tapes, with Jacob Hook replacing him. The re-run saw Flint ride a fantastic race to win and lower Masters’ colours, and with Edwards passing Hook for 3rd, the Bears were eight ahead. 

With Oxford more than six down, Masters came out as a tactical substitute alongside Killeen. Masters gated to win, and when Killeen swooped past Wright for 2nd, Oxford looked to have hope. However, Wright blasted past Killeen to limit the damage and ensure Redcar still had a commanding lead. 

Edwards completed his programmed rides as he stormed up the inside of Heeps to win a shared race which maintained Redcar’s handy six point lead. 

Heat 13 saw Gusts fall on the first bend, with all four invited back for the re-run. The re-run saw Masters win despite strong pressure from King, but with Gusts last, the Bears had secured the aggregate point at the very least. 

Heat 14 saw Redcar wrap up the win as the superb Flint completed his maximum for the win, and with the ever improving Pijper 3rd, the “Agilia” Bears had secured three league points with a heat to spare.

The final race saw Masters win to secure a paid 20 point haul, but with Edwards and Pijper comfortably seeing off Heeps, the Bears support had a fantastic away win to celebrate. 

Oxford = 41

1. Sam Masters = 19+1

2. Jordan Jenkins R/R

3. Cameron Heeps = 6

4. Mitch McDiarmid = 2+2

5. Francis Gusts = 2

6. Luke Killeen = 10+1

7. Jacob Hook (G) = 2+1

Redcar = 49

1. Charles Wright = 7+2

2. Jody Scott = 2

3. Jason Edwards = 11+1

4. Leon Flint (G) = 11+1

5. Danny King = 10

6. Jake Mulford = 3+1

7. Ace Pijper = 5+2

REDCAR star Danny King has urged his “Agilia” Bears side to bounce back and “get back on track” tonight when Redcar travel take on Oxford in the Cab Direct Championship with tapes up at 7:30pm at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium, Sandy Lane.

The Bears and the Cheetahs are both play-off hopefuls with Redcar holding a six point advantage for the aggregate point after their 48-42 success in May at the ECCO Arena. Tonight’s meeting will be broadcast live on BSN @ watch.britishspeedway.co.uk 

King, who is 6th in the 2025 second tier averages, wants his side to return to form tonight. King said, “ Oxford are a very good team, especially at home, but I believe it is a meeting we can get something out of if we all turn up, and that should put us back on track.”

King, who won the last Championship Pairs staged at Oxford, believes the battle for the 4th play-off spot will be between Redcar and Oxford. King said, “ It certainly looks like it will be between us and Oxford. We could’ve done without the Glasgow defeat but a win tonight would be a great way to bounce back.”

King, who took part in a 72 hole golf fundraiser for Prostate Cancer yesterday, knows the Redcar number one, and Oxford Spire (in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership) Charles Wright will be key in tonight’s battle. 

King commented, “ Charles (Wright) will be key for us tonight, he should go well and he should be really key in terms of set-ups and getting the rest of our side dialled in right from the start.”

The British veteran believes set-up issues in the first half of the meeting cost Redcar against Glasgow. King said, “ We got caught out in the early stages on our set-ups but personally, as the meeting went on, I got it figured out apart from heat 15.”

The Redcar heatleader once again reserved special praise for his teammate Ace Pijper who has hit 21 over his last three Cab Direct Championship meetings. King said, “ Ace has come to the fore recently, we all knew what he was capable of and now I think Ace knows what he is capable of and he believes he can perform at this level.”

Redcar bring in the in-form Leon Flint to cover for Erik Riss with the Glasgow man hitting his first full top flight maximum on Monday for Sheffield. Jake Mulford, who is now at reserve, also makes his long awaited return to the Bears side after international commitments. 

Another Redcar rider, Jody Scott, rides for the Oxford Chargers in the WSRA National Development League with the Bears management hopeful that this will help the young Bears number two in his second meeting in the main body of the side. 

Oxford are without Jordan Jenkins, with the ex-Bear struggling with a knee injury, rider replacement will operate at number two in his absence. The Cheetahs are also without another former Bear with Jonas Knudsen absent due to Danish racing commitments, Workington’s Jacob Hook replaces Knudsen at reserve. 

Oxford Cheethas

1. Sam Masters (c) 10.31

2. ⁠RR for Jordan Jenkins 6.47

3. ⁠Cameron Heeps 6.35

4. ⁠Mitch McDiarmid 5.74

5. ⁠Francis Gusts 5.23

6. ⁠Luke Killeen 4.70

7. ⁠Jacob Hook (G) 4.90

™: Peter Schroeck

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

Golf Fundraiser for Prostate Cancer 

https://biggolfrace.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/liams-big-golf-race1300?utm_medium=email&utm_source=PostOffice&utm_campaign=DS_EVENTS-LFC_Trans_NthDonation

REDCAR’s 100% home record was ended as the Glasgow Tigers shone in the early stages to record a 42-48 Cab Direct Championship success at the ECCO Arena. Charles Wright top scored for Redcar with paid 13 whilst Chris Harris hit a sublime paid 17 for the visitors. 

Glasgow started with a 5-1 as Harris gated for a comfortable win, and with the ECCO Arena debutant, Villads Nagel in 2nd, the Tigers travelling support had a maximum heat advantage to celebrate. 

Heat two saw returning guest reserve Ben Trigger win, and with Ace Pijper passing Freddy Hodder for 3rd, Redcar cut the gap to 5-7 on home shale. However, Redcar’s joy was soon tempered as Harris (out as rider replacement) joined the impressive heat winner Leon Flint for a second Glasgow 5-1 to send the visitors into a six point advantage. 

Heat four saw Redcar gate on a maximum as the ever improving Pijper led, with Danny King attempting to team ride his younger teammate home. However, Glasgow’s Kyle Howarth built up his speed throughout the race and it paid dividends for him as he swooped around King on the back straight of the final lap to limit Redcar to a 4-2. 

The impressive Nagel flew from the gate to win heat five, and with Harris passing Edwards for 2nd, the 2023 league champions had full control. Wright took his first win in heat six as he rode well to hold off the hard charging Howarth, and with Pijper 3rd despite challenging for 2nd, the Bears were back within six of Glasgow. 

Redcar boss Gavin Parr played his tactical substitute in heat seven with Wright partnering King, and with Redcar gating on a 5-1, the Bears looked set to hit back. However, a remarkable race saw Flint pass both Bears on the back straight of the final lap to win and negate the tactical substitute and keep Glasgow six ahead. 

Heat eight looked set to be shared with Nagel continuing his fine evening at the front, and with Redcar sat in the minor placings, the race looked settled. However, Jody Scott suffered a mechanical issue, dropping him out of the equation which gave the Scottish side a 4-2 and an eight point advantage. 

Redcar recorded their 3rd 4-2 heat advantage in heat nine as KIng bounced back with a win, and with Edwards 3rd, the “Agilia” Bears were still hopeful of mounting an unlikely comeback. Heat 10 saw Wright win to lower both Flint and Nagel’s colours, but with Pijper 4th, the gap remained at six points. 

Heat 11 saw fireworks as King gated, only to be passed by Harris and Nagel on the back straight of lap one. However, King produced a sublime move off bend four to squeeze in between both Tigers and stride to an impressive win, but with Trigger at the back, Glasgow remained relatively comfortable at 30-36. 

After Edwards battled hard with Flint to win a shared heat, Glasgow edged towards victory as Harris edged out Wright in an entertaining heat 13, and with Howarth keeping King at the rear, Glasgow were 35-43 ahead with two heats remaining. 

The Tigers wrapped up the win in heat 14 after another enthralling battle for the win. Edwards once again got the better of Flint for the win but with Pijper unable to pass Max Perry, the visitors supporters celebrated a big three league points including the bonus point. 

The final race saw Harris conclude a superb evening’s work with a win, but with Nagel 4th, Glasgow did not end with a heat advantage but did take a deserved win on away shale. 

Redcar = 42 (84)

1. Charles Wright = 12+1

2. Jody Scott = 0

3. Jason Edwards = 10+1

4. Erik Riss R/R

5. Danny King = 9

6. Ben Trigger (G) = 4

7. Ace Pijper = 7

Glasgow = 48 (96)

1. Chris Harris = 14+3

2. Villads Nagel = 11+2

3. Dan Thompson R/R

4. Leon Flint = 12

5. Kyle Howarth = 7

6. Freddy Hodder = 0

7. Max Perry = 4+1

REDCAR boss Gavin Parr believes the Bears reserves will be key if the side are to maintain their 100% home record and beat the Glasgow Tigers tomorrow night. The “Agilia” Bears are aiming to make it three wins on the bounce with tapes up at 7:30pm at the ECCO Arena. 

Redcar have named ex-Bear Ben Trigger in place of Jake Mulford at reserve whilst rider replacement operates at number four with no suitable guest available for Erik Riss.

The cycle speedway man explained how hard it has been looking for a suitable guest. 

Parr said, “ I left Redcar last week believing we had got two great guests in Lewi Kerr and Tobias Thomsen but with Jake now at reserve we don’t get the extra 5% which means we can’t use Tobias. We were also pretty sure we had Lewi for Erik but unfortunately he has another commitment. With other fixtures and rider unavailability, we have been unable to secure a suitable guest so we have opted to go with r/r.”

Parr, who oversaw Redcar’s first away league win of the season at Workington five days ago, knows the importance of the reserves. Parr said, “ I see the top three cancelling each other out so the reserves will be vital. We outscored Glasgow at reserve so for us to win we will need to do that again. Ben Trigger has a point to prove and he rides the ECCO Arena excellently, I’ve got no doubt he can do the job for us.”

Despite the odds being against the Bears, the enthusiastic boss is confident Redcar can do the job. Parr said, “ I know this team can get the job done. Sometimes, wounded animals are at their most dangerous so I’m hoping we can keep the ball rolling and get another big win.” 

Jake Mulford will return to Redcar colours next week at Oxford and Parr is happy to see the club being closer to a full strength side. Parr said, “ Jake hasn’t rode for Redcar much this season. He is looking forward to being back as all of this travelling has been tough on him.”

Redcar’s superb pair of weekend wins has boosted the club’s play-off hopes and the Bears boss is happy with the side’s recent form. Parr said, “ Last weekend put us in a great position for the play-offs so I’m hoping we can get a result with our backs against the wall.”

Glasgow travel to the ECCO Arena without Dan Thompson who is on SGP 2 duty with rider replacement operating at number three. The Tigers, who sit 2nd in the Cab Direct Championship, are on a high after securing two wins over Berwick last weekend, including a super heat win at Shielfield Park on Saturday. 

Redcar, as mentioned, bring in Trigger for Mulford at six whilst Jody Scott moves to the main body at number two. Rider replacement for Riss means King, Edwards, Scott and the reserves are eligible to take the German’s rides. 

Fans who are unable to attend the meeting 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 RR for Erik Riss

5 Danny King 8.57

6 Ben Trigger (G) 4.43

7 Ace Pijper 3.14

TM: Gavin Parr

Glasgow Tigers

1 Chris Harris (c) 9.32

2 Villads Nagel 5.00

3 R/R for Dan Thompson8.54

4 Leon Flint 6.83

5 Kyle Howarth 7.84

6 Freddy Hodder 2.08

7 Max Perry 2.00

8 Stene Pijper

TM – Cameron Brown.

Fans night Glasgow!

Tapes Up 7:30pm Friday!

The cost is £14 (on top of your usual stadium entry). You will get balcony seating, a programme, a full buffet with a hot drink + a drink from the bar. Kids are £7 without the bar drink + their own programme.

All done on a first come first serve basis.

Anyone interested contact Ian on 07827293866 or email indrinkel@msn.com

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears stormed to a superb 39-51 away win at Workington. The Bears led throughout the meeting as they picked up their first away win of the Cab Direct Championship season. 

Antti Vuolas and Jye Etheridge both struck nine for the hosts whilst Charles Wright hit paid 13 for the Bears. Redcar were simply faster out of the gate throughout most of the meeting with the guests Jonatan Grahn and Paco Castagna both proving to be shrewd choices. 

Redcar started in superb style with a maximum heat advantage as the Bears guest Jonatan Grahn took the win, and with Wright second, the visiting fans were in fine voice after the opening race. 

The reserves race saw the Comets hit back as Jacob Hook won, and with the all-action Vinnie Foord in 3rd, the hosts reduced the arrears to two points at the GT Tyres Arena. 

After Jye Etheridge won a shared heat three, the meeting was delayed due to a peculiar incident, with Comets reserve Vinnie Foord stuck in the toilets. After the former Poole man was rescued, he picked up a 3rd place in a shared race won by Danny King. 

The BSN Series semi-finalists hammered home their early advantage in heat five as Wright and Grahn once again left the Comets in their wake for Redcar’s second 5-1 to give the Bears a six point advantage at a gloomy Northside. 

After King made it back to back wins by holding off Fraser Bowes in a shared heat six, Redcar struck another blow to the hosts after Jason Edwards and Paco Castagna team rode superbly to send the large Bears support wild as Redcar stormed into a 10 point lead. 

Heat eight saw Ace Pijper come to the party after a change of bikes as the Bears reserve won comfortably, and with the equally impressive Grahn in second, Redcar were a massive 14 points clear in search of their first away league win of the season. 

Workington struck a much needed heat advantage in heat nine as Etheridge won, but with King passing Tate Zischke, Redcar remained a handsome 12 clear of the Comets. Heat 10 saw Workington breathe life into their chances as Bowes and Troy Batchelor exited the second bend in a 5-1 position, and with the Comets maintaining their position, they now only trailed by eight in Cumbria. 

After Wright continued his serene run to win heat 11 in a Redcar 4-2 to re-establish the Bears 10 point lead, Workington boss James Denham played his tactical substitute in heat 12. 

Tactical substitute Batchelor took the win, and with Zischke in a comfortable 2nd, we were set for an exciting finale in the search for Cab Direct Championship points. However, heat 13 saw Redcar edge towards the win as the superb King won, and with Wright forcing his way into 3rd despite losing his undefeated record, the “Agilia” Bears recorded their 6th heat advantage of the meeting. 

Redcar secured the spoils in the penultimate heat as Castagna won, and with Pijper 3rd ahead of Foord, the Bears had earned a much deserved win. 

The final race saw an incredible battle as Wright and Vuolas shared passes as Wright won, and with King 3rd, Redcar took a brilliant 39-51 win at the home of the Comets. 

Workington Comets = 39

1. Troy Batchelor = 7+2 

2. Fraser Bowes = 5  

3. Tate Zischke = 3+1 

4. Jye Etheridge = 9

5. Antti Vuolas = 9

6. Jacob Hook = 3 

7. Vinnie Foord = 3+1

Redcar Bears = 51

1. Charles Wright = 12+1

2. Jonatan Grahn (G) = 8+2 

3. Jason Edwards = 6 

4. Paco Castagna = 6+2

5. Danny King = 12

6. Jody Scott = 3 

7. Ace Pijper = 4

REDCAR boss Gavin Parr has urged his side to “keep the ball rolling” as Redcar travel west to take on a revitalised Workington at the GT Tyres Arena. The Cab Direct Championship clash will get underway at 6pm with the Bears searching for vital league points. 

Parr, who managed the Bears to a convincing 36-54 BSN Series success at Workington earlier in the campaign, knows his side will be in for a much tougher test today. 

Parr said, ” We just need to keep the ball rolling but the Comets will be a tough proposition. Workington are in good form but we have a good couple of guests and we will be going there to get the two league points.”

The enthusiastic Bears supremo believes riders building confidence is partly the reason the Comets have had such a resurgence with today’s hosts recording big home wins over Poole and Scunthorpe whilst also picking up the aggregate bonus point over the Pirates. 

Parr said, “Tate (Zischke) has guested for us and he is getting his confidence back after his crash in 2024, and Fraser Bowes is now adapting to the UK tracks and he has clicked. When a couple of riders start winning races, it breeds confidence across the side and I’m really happy for them. Apart from today, I want them to succeed as they are a great bunch.”

Parr was also quick to lavish praise on Ace Pijper who struck a vital paid 10 in last night’s win over Poole. 

Parr said, “Ace (Pijper) has been superb recently, we are building his confidence bit by bit and he was a major reason why we beat Poole. I don’t know what happened with Ace at Glasgow but we have had to build his confidence bit by bit, a little like a Lego set but he had confidence in himself last night and as each week passes, the bad meetings become less and less.”

2025 has seen the Bears push teams on the road, but with the side yet to win on away shale, the Bears boss is keen to change that. Parr said, ” There’s no reason why this team can’t win meetings away from home, we don’t want to rely on taking bonus points at home as the ECCO Arena is such a fair track so we want to win meetings away from Redcar.”

Redcar have brought in Edinburgh’s Paco Castagna and Jonatan Grahn to cover for Riss and Mulford with Castagna hitting 11 at Northside in 2024 whilst Grahn has struck paid 21 from two meetings in Cumbria this season. 

The hosts have been boosted by the news that both Tate Zischke and Vinnie Foord have declared themselves fit. Zischke suffered a foot injury in Poland whilst Foord is set to ride despite having a hole in his tongue after a nasty spill at Poole on Wednesday. 

Any fans who are unable to make the trip to the GT Tyres Arena are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed at https://www.workingtoncomets.tv/

Workington Comets

1. Troy Batchelor (C) 7.92

2. Fraser Bowes 5.76

3. Tate Zischke 6.41

4. Jye Etheridge -5.01

5. Antti Vuolas 6.68

6. Jacob Hook 4.38

7. Vinnie Foord 3.71

™: James Denham

1. Charles Wright (C) 8.96

2. Jonatan Grahn (G) 4.47 

3. Jason Edwards 6.55

4. Paco Castagna (G) 7.12 

5. Danny King 8.27

6. Jody Scott 2.00

7. Ace Pijper 3.05

™: Gavin Parr

REDCAR maintained their 100% home record with a pulsating 46-44 win over Poole at the ECCO Arena. Redcar’s Charles Wright struck paid 13 for the hosts with Ace Pijper hitting a vital paid 10. Poole captain Zach Cook top scored with paid 13 for the reigning Cab Direct Championship winners who took the aggregate bonus point by a 10 point margin (85-95). 

The Bears began with a 4-2 heat advantage as Wright surged past Tobias Thomsen on the 4th bend of the opening lap for the win, and with Redcar guest Jacob Hook 3rd ahead of Richard Lawson, Redcar started positively on Teesside. 

However, the visitors immediately levelled proceedings with a 4-2 of their own as Paul Starke won, and with Will Cairns passing Pijper in the early stages, Poole had their first heat advantage of the evening. 

The table topping Pirates then struck their first 5-1 as Lewi Kerr and Zach Cook left Antti Vuolas and Jason Edwards standing at the start to send the visitors ahead on their travels. Nevertheless, Redcar registered their opening maximum of the match as Danny King won comfortably, and with Pijper picking the right line and holding off Lawson for 2nd, the Bears were back level. 

Heat five saw a superb race as Thomsen led from the tapes, with Edwards and Lawson having an intense battle for 2nd with both riders looking likely to pass the Poole number two. However, Edwards passed Thomsen, leaving Lawson in his wake to win, but with Vuolas 4th, the scores remained level. 

The sixth heat of an entertaining evening’s racing saw Wright use the inside line to pass Kerr on lap three, but with Hook suffering a puncture whilst 4th, the deadlock could not be broken at the ECCO Arena. 

Heat seven saw the 3rd shared heat of the match as King won, but with Jody Scott 4th, Redcar remained level with Poole. Heat eight saw Pijper take a superb tapes to flag win, but with Hook 4th and Redcar running their 6th last place of the meeting, the hosts had to settle for a level meeting. 

After a pair of shared races won by Cook and Wright respectively, Poole regained the lead in heat 11 as Lawson (on his 2nd bike) won, but with King just about holding off Thomsen, the Pirates had to settle with a 4-2. 

Heat 12 saw high drama as Edwards pushed Kerr wide on the opening bends to win, but with Kerr having mechanical problems on lap four, Pijper happily profited to take 2nd and send Redcar into a two point lead of their own. 

The 13th heat of a Cab Direct Championship thriller saw Lawson win, but with rider replacement Thomsen 4th, Poole were running out of heats in their battle for the two league points. 

The penultimate race saw Vuolas come to the party for Redcar with the Finn having a terrific battle with Cook which the Bears guest duly won, and with Pijper capping off a superb evening with a vital 3rd place ahead of Cairns, Redcar were on the verge of victory. 

Heat 15 saw Lawson win despite huge pressure from Wright, but with Cook unable to reel in the British number two, Redcar secured the spoils to add two points to their Cab Direct Championship tally. 

Redcar Bears = 46 (85)

1. Charles Wright = 12+1

2. Jacob Hook (G) = 1

3. Jason Edwards = 7+1

4. Antti Vuolas (G) = 6

5. Danny King = 10

6. Jody Scott = 2

7. Ace Pijper = 8+2

Poole Pirates = 44 (95)

1. Richard Lawson = 11+1

2. Tobias Thomsen = 7

3. Lewi Kerr = 7+2

4. Zach Cook = 12+1

5. Anders Rowe R/R

6. Paul Starke = 5+1

7. Will Cairns = 2+1