Category: Bears News

Tonigjts BSN Semi Final clash between Berwick and Redcar has been postponed.

We will advise of a re-staging date once known

After an extensive rehabilitation and plenty of practice laps, we are delighted to welcome club captain Charles Wright back into the Agilia Bears line-up for Friday’s crucial Cab Direct Championship clash with the Workington Comets.

Charles has spent almost four months on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder injury in the very first meeting of the season. Seeing our skipper back in Bears colours is a huge boost as we head into the business end of the campaign.

Charles’ return also means we say a fond farewell to Nicolai Klindt, who has done a tremendous job deputising at No. 1 during his absence. We’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Nicolai for his commitment and professionalism, and we wish him every success for the rest of the season.

Promoter Jamie Swales said:
“We’re obviously all delighted to see Charles back in the team. It was a nasty injury from what looked like a really innocuous fall, and at times we genuinely feared he might miss the rest of the season. To have him back for the run-in to the league campaign and the BSN Series semi-final is a massive boost for everyone at the club.

I also want to thank Nicolai for everything he has done for us. He slotted straight into the team, gave absolutely everything every time he wore the Bears race jacket, and I think he really enjoyed his time with us. He certainly built a great rapport with our supporters, and we’ll always be grateful for his contribution.”

Be there to give Charles the welcome home he deserves as the Bears take on the Workington Comets in a huge league encounter!

📍 ECCO Arena
🚪 Gates Open: 6:00pm
🏁 Tapes Up: 7:30pm

Let’s pack the stands and roar the skipper home

REDCAR’s recent stellar run was brought to an abrupt halt on Friday as the Edinburgh Monarchs strode to a convincing 57-33 win at Armadale. Such was the Monarchs dominance, they also took the aggregate point 98-82. Dan Thompson hit a sublime paid maximum, (13+2) for the hosts whilst Jake Allen plugged away with 8+2 for the Bears.

Quite simply, Edinburgh were much sharper from the starts, with six Monarchs taking the chequered flag in 13 heats, and with only six last places, it was a night to forget for the “Agilia” Bears. Redcar were forced to name a six man side for the second week running as Simon Lambert was ruled out with a knee injury.

Redcar boss Gavin Parr apologised to the supporters for the side’s display. Parr said, “ I want to apologise to our loyal fans for what was a pretty inept performance, the lads tried everything to get their bikes off the starts but nothing seemed to work.”

Edinburgh started the evening in superb style with a heat 1 maximum as Thompson won, and with Jonatan Grahn comfortably in 2nd, the Monarchs return to home shale after a months hiatus started perfectly.

The reserves race saw Jordy Loftus make an electric start for the win, but with Mitchell Cluff falling whilst challenging for 2nd, heat 2 was shared.

Edinburgh pressed home their early advantage in heat 3 as they recorded another maximum courtesy of Justin Sedgmen, and with the Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna 2nd, the Scottish side were in command.

Heat 4 saw the impressive Loftus jump out of the traps to take the win, and with Thompson pouncing on an error by Jody Scott, he claimed 3rd as Edinburgh collected their third heat advantage in just four races.

The 5th race of the match saw Edinburgh continue to punish Redcar from the tapes as Castagna took the chequered flag, and with ex-Bear Sedgmen tucked into 2nd, Redcar’s 8 point aggregate advantage (in the battle for the bonus point) was well and truly gone as the Monarchs led 22-8 on the night and 63-57 on aggregate.

Dan Thompson continued his unbeaten start to the meeting with a win in heat 6, but with Jake Allen 2nd, and reserve guest Vinnie Foord 3rd, the Bears at least stopped the bleeding.

Gavin Parr looked to turn the tide in heat 7 as he brought in Allen as a tactical substitute alongside Jason Edwards. However, Kye Thomson put pay to Redcar’s hopes of a heat advantage with a win, but with Cluff 4th, the Bears had steadied the ship somewhat.

However, it was only a mini reprieve for the visitors as Loftus made it three wins on the trot with a superb tapes to flag win, and with Grahn 3rd, Edinburgh were making a statement as they led 32-16 on home shale.

Heat 9 saw more Monarchs success as the engine room pairing of Castagna and Sedgmen combined for their 3rd heat advantage as the Italian passed Allen for the win, and with the Australian holding off the game Foord, Parr was left scratching his head in disbelief.

The next race saw Edinburgh again show Redcar the fastest way around Armadale as Grahn won, and with Thompson passing Edwards, the win was almost sewn up for the hosts.

Redcar finally found a heat advantage in heat 11 as Klindt won, and with rider replacement Scott 3rd, the visiting support on bend one had something to cheer.

Sedgmen took a tapes to flag win in heat 12, but with Loftus at the back, the young Australian’s hopes of a maximum were ended in his final programmed ride.

Redcar produced their 2nd heat winner in the penultimate race as Edwards won, despite Cluff initially being given the verdict, but with Scott 4th, there was no 2nd away heat advantage. The final heat of a sobering Scottish evening saw Thompson complete a fine paid maximum as Redcar filled in the minor placings.

It was a tough evening for the Bears and their travelling support. Redcar must put this result out of their minds as another important weekend lies ahead as the Bears host Workington in Cab Direct Championship action on Friday, and less than 24 hours later, the boys travel to Berwick for the 2nd leg of the BSN Series semifinal, with a 27 point lead.

Edinburgh Monarchs= 57 (98)

1. Dan Thompson = 13+2
2. Jonatan Grahn = 6+1
3. Justin Sedgmen = 9+1
4. Paco Castagna = 9+2
5. Kye Thomson = 9
6. Mitch Cluff = 2
7. Jordy Loftus = 9

Redcar Bears = 33 (82)

1. Nicolai Klindt = 7
2. Simon Lambert R/R
3. Jake Mulford = 3
4. Jason Edwards = 7
5. Jake Allen = 8+2
6. Vinnie Foord (G) = 3+3
7. Jody Scott = 5

Due to the England match now scheduled for Saturday night, we have made the decision to postpone the National Development League meeting between Middlesbrough and Leicester.

A rrestaging date will be announced in due course.

REDCAR capped off a remarkable 24 hours with a stunning 56-34 away win over the Plymouth Gladiators. The rejuvenated Bears side all provided a heat win as they consistently outgated the Gladiators to record an important Cab Direct Championship win. Nicolai Klindt hit 14+1 for the “Agilia” Bears whilst the Gladiators Scott Nicholls struck 16 for the hosts.

Astonishingly, Redcar recorded 21 heat advantages over the weekend, with 8 Bears riders hitting at least paid double figures across both matches.

Redcar team manager Gavin Parr was pleased for all connected with the club after a successful weekend. Parr commented, “It’s been a very positive 24 hours for us and it certainly gives us a boost of confidence for the rest of the season. I’m really pleased for everyone involved with the Bears. To only run one last place in 15 heats shows what we can do when we all click.”

Redcar started the meeting in superb style as Klindt gated for a comfortable win, but with the Gladiators guest Chris Harris passing Simon Lambert, he looked to be limiting the damage until his bike packed up on lap two, giving Lambert 2nd and Redcar the perfect start.

Heat two saw Jody Scott pick up an important opening win, and with Ace Pijper 3rd, (despite battling with Plymouth guest Ryan Ingram for 2nd), Redcar already had a six point buffer at the Coliseum.

Heat 3 saw Redcar’s 3rd heat advantage as Lambert (in as rider replacement for Jake Allen who was out with a shoulder injury) won convincingly, and with Mulford continuing on from his impressive last visit to Plymouth, the travelling Bears contingent were in dreamland.

Nicholls opened his account for the evening with a win after passing Edwards in a brilliant battle for the win which stemmed the Redcar flow of heat advantages, but with Ben Whalley 4th, the Bears early 10 point lead remained intact.

The 5th race of a brilliant Bears evening started with a faller as Klindt came down on the opening bend, with all four men invited back for the re-run. The re-run looked set to be a shared race as Klindt led comfortably, but with Daniel Klima’s bike suffering problems, Lambert happily took 3rd, giving Redcar another heat advantage and a 21-9 lead.

Heat 6 saw Pijper taste the Plymouth shale on bend 3 of the opening lap after battling with Harris and after a short delay, Harris was deemed to be the primary cause of the stoppage, and was excluded, much to the disgust of the Brit. The re-run saw Edwards ride brilliantly to scout every move from tactical substitute Nicholls to win, and with Pijper 3rd, the hosts had a mountain to climb.

After Nicholls and Joe Thompson both won shared races in heats 7 and 8 respectively, Redcar recorded their sixth heat advantage of the match in heat 9 as Pijper won, and with Edwards equally as comfortable in 2nd, Redcar were on the verge of a statement away win.

However, the Gladiators fans had their first heat advantage to cheer in heat 10 as Harris won, and with Thompson 2nd, Plymouth had a slither of hope. However, any hope that the Gladiators had was quickly quashed as Redcar hit back in heat 11 as Klindt won, and with Lambert 3rd, victory was all but assured.

Heat 12 saw Mulford continue on his merry way with a win, but with Whalley passing Pijper on the run to the line, Redcar were denied another 5-1, instead having to settle for their 5th 4-2 of the fixture.

After the evergreen Nicholls took the win in a shared heat 13, the Bears brought up their half century in heat 14 as Scott won, and with Mulford holding off Plymouth guest Tate Zischke for 2nd, the Bears had made a statement to the rest of the Cab Direct Championship.

The final race of the night saw Nicholls continue to impress with a tapes to flag win, but with Thompson 4th, the Gladiators could not finish with a heat advantage. All in all, redcar proved too consistent across the evening, and Plymouth simply had no answer.

Plymouth Gladiators = 34

1. Chris Harris (G) = 3
2. Joe Thompson = 6+1
3. Daniel Klima = 1
4. Tate Zischke (G) = 4
5. Scott Nicholls = 16
6. Ryan Ingram (G) = 2
7. Ben Whalley = 2

Redcar Bears = 56

1. Nicolai Klindt = 14+1
2. Simon Lambert = 8+2
3. Jake Mulford = 8+3
4. Jake Allen (R/R)
5. Jason Edwards = 11+2
6. Ace Pijper = 6
7. Jody Scott = 9+1

REDCAR put themselves in a brilliant position for BSN Series Final qualification with their best performance of the 2026 campaign. The “Agilia” Bears racked up a remarkable 12 heat advantages to record a 58-31 success over the Berwick Bandits.

Nicolai Klindt struck 14 for the Bears, with Jason Edwards (who was on a paid maximum until heat 15) hitting 12+1. Berwick number one Peter Klidemand top scored for the MAXiCab KO Cup Finalists with 10, but the Dane was one of only three race winners for the beaten Bandits.

Redcar team manager Gavin Parr was elated with the result but the boss indicated the job is not done. Parr said, “ It was a great performance and the lads put in a brilliant shift. They really showed what they can do but it is only half time in the tie, and Berwick are very strong at home.”

Berwick opened proceedings with a 4-2 heat advantage as Jye Etheridge won, and with Kildemand 3rd, Berwick had a lead. However, this was as good as it got for the visiting Berwick fans as the capitulation began in the reserves race. Ace Pijper marked his return to the reserve berth with a win, and with the stylish Jody Scott in 2nd, the Bears had a two point lead of their own.

Heat 3 saw drama from the start as ex-Bear Jordan Jenkins failed to get off the start line, leaving Victor Palovaara as the lone Bandit in heat 3. Edwards led the race, with Jake Mulford battling with Palovaara for the paid win, but Mulford’s bike gave up the ghost, leaving the two remaining riders to battle it out, with Edwards securing a relatively comfortable win to extend Redcar’s advantage to 3 points.

The first block of heats ended with Redcar’s second 5-1, but not after drama in the first running of the race. The original staging saw two races in one as Nick Morris led from Jake Allen whilst Berwick’s returning reserve Reid Battye initially led Scott for 3rd. However, Battye fell, and with the Australian unable to clear the track as Allen passed Morris the race was stopped and a re-run ordered.

The re-run saw Allen win, and with Scott 2nd ahead of Nick Morris, the Bears fans had hopes of a big first leg lead.

Heat 5 saw Edwards continue his unbeaten start with a win as he held off the hard charging Kildemand (who passed Mulford on lap 2), but with the Redcar man holding onto 3rd, the Bears had a remarkable 9 point advantage after 5 heats at the ECCO Arena.

Heat 6 saw Klindt take the chequered flag with relative ease, and with Simon Lambert 3rd, Redcar struck their 5th heat advantage with only six heats gone. More of the same followed in heat 7 as Pijper won, and with Allen 2nd, Bandits boss Stewart Dickson could not believe what he was watching.

More success for the hosts arrived in heat 8 as Scott won, and with Lambert passing Battye for 3rd, Redcar were putting the first leg beyond any doubt as they raced into a 32-15 lead. Dickson had more headaches before heat 9 as Morris suffered mechanical problems at the tapes before the race began, with the referee excluding the Australian from the tapes, with Dickson sending his heat leader off 15m.

Heat 9 saw another Bears maximum as Mulford won, and with Edwards passing Jack Smith for 2nd, the home support were in dreamland. Heat 10 saw Klindt win with ease, but with Jenkins passing Scott for 2nd, the Bandit limited the damage to a Bears 4-2.

Berwick finally secured their 2nd heat advantage in heat 11 as Kildemand took a much needed heat win for his side, and with Etheridge 3rd, the visiting support had something to cheer. Another heat advantage followed in heat 12 as Palovaara won, and with Smith 3rd, Berwick reduced the arrears to 19 points.

However, it was only a brief respite for the visitors as Klindt took his 3rd heat win in heat 13, and with Allen 3rd, Redcar’s 21 point advantage was restored. The penultimate race saw more positives for the Bears as Edwards continued his return to form with a win, and with Pijper 2nd, the hosts were having it all their own way.

Heat 15 saw Klindt take his 5th success of the night, but with Kildemand battling past Edwards, the Redcar number four was denied a paid maximum. Despite not securing a maximum 5-1, the Bears rounded off their best night of the season with their 12th heat advantage to secure a memorable win in their quest to retain their BSN Series crown.

Redcar Bears = 58

1. Nicolai Klindt = 14
2. Simon Lambert = 2
3. Jake Mulford = 4
4. Jason Edwards = 12+1
5. Jake Allen = 8+1
6. Ace Pijper = 8+1
7. Jody Scott = 10+2

Berwick Bandits = 31

1. Peter Kildemand = 10
2. Jye Etheridge = 6
3. Victor Palovaara = 6
4. Jordan Jenkins = 3
5. Nick Morris = 3
6. Jack Smith = 2
7. Reid Battye = 1

For the BSN Trophy Semi Final at 7.30pm on Friday this week we are holding a Fans Night in The Bruce Forrester Lounge on the 1^st bend. It will be the usual £14 deal for adults (on top of your usual stadium entrance), payable in the lounge.

For that you will get seating on the balcony a buffet and a hot drink, a meeting programme a drink from the bar and a host for the evening. Kids are £7 but they do not get their own programme or a drink from the bar. This is payable in the lounge. Places will be very limited for this, so its on a first come first served basis.

If interested, please contact Ian Drinkel indrinkel@msn.com

There has understandably been a lot of speculation surrounding Charles Wright’s return from injury, particularly after his appearance at Workington last week, where he impressively won all four of his programmed rides.

However, while Charles showed exactly what he is still capable of on track, he also made the decision to sit out the later stages of the meeting. This was a sensible precaution as he continues to manage his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Charles is now very close to making a full return to racing, but at this stage he requires a phased return which allows his shoulder time to rest and recover between meetings.

Unfortunately, the Bears have a very busy schedule over the coming weeks, with several fixtures close together. Under current British speedway regulations, clubs are not able to simply rest a rider who has returned from injury, even when that rider may still need careful management as part of their recovery.

As a result, Charles will initially make his return with his Landshut team, where the fixture schedule allows longer gaps between meetings. The squad system used in their league also gives them greater flexibility to rest him if required.

We fully support Charles in taking the right approach for his long-term fitness and recovery. Everyone at the club is looking forward to seeing him back in Bears colours as soon as he is ready to return safely and consistently.

We would like to thank supporters for their understanding and continued support of Charles during this period.

REDCAR went back to back at the ECCO Arena for the first time in the league in 2026 as they took a 49-41 win over a spirited Edinburgh Monarchs side in another last heat decider on Teesside.

Nikolai Klindt again starred on home shale, top scoring with 12, the Dane was ably assisted by Bears reserve Jody Scott (11+2) who wowed the home faithful with a heat 15 paid win to bring the house down. Edinburgh’s Kye Thomson continued his breakout year with 12+1 for the visitors.

Redcar boss Gavin Parr lavished huge praise on the ever improving, emerging star Jody Scott. Parr said, “Jody fully deserved his heat 15 nomination and he rode a fantastic four laps with Nicolai (Klindt) to ensure we sent the Monarchs home empty handed.”

The meeting began with Jonatan Grahn continuing his impressive form from the cup fixture at Redcar earlier in the campaign to win heat one, and with Dan Thompson 3rd, but still behind the rider replacement (Ace Pijper on SGP2 Qualifying duty) Simon Lambert, Edinburgh began with a heat advantage.

Heat two saw Jake Mulford (who will move into the main body of the side next month) pick up his 12th heat win of June, and with Scott 3rd, Redcar levelled the meeting.

After a pair of shared heats won by Justin Sedgmen and Kye Thomson respectively, Edinburgh hit their second 4-2 of the match after an elongated heat 5. The original staging saw Jason Edwards make a stellar gate, but with Lambert hitting the deck on the opening bends, the race was stopped.

The re-run saw another stoppage due to technical issues in the referees box after an even break. The third and final staging saw Thompson win with relative ease, and with Grahn 3rd, the Scottish outfit regained their slender lead.

However, the Monarchs lead was again a short lived one as the “Agilia” Bears again struck back with a 4-2 as Klindt made a customary fast start to win, and with Scott 3rd, both sides could not be separated after six heats of Cab Direct Championship action.

Nevertheless, Edinburgh were battling and they once again regained the lead as Sedgmen made it two wins on the trot from the gate, and with Paco Castagna 3rd, (despite holding 2nd until Jake Allen passed the Italian) the travelling away support were gaining belief that an away win was on the cards.

However, that belief took a massive blow in heat eight as Mulford and Scott both passed Grahn to give Redcar their first maximum and the lead (25-23) for the first time on the evening.

After a shared heat nine won by Thomson, the Bears doubled their advantage to four points in heat 10. Klindt took another win, and with Mulford forcefully passing the previously unbeaten Sedgmen on bend four of the opening lap, the hosts were starting to purr.

Dan Thompson steadied the Monarchs with a win in a shared heat 11 but Redcar struck another 5-1 in heat 12 to move closer to two league points. Monarchs reserve Jordy Loftus made a superb gate and led for two laps until Scott dived underneath the Australian on the opening bends of lap three, unsettling Loftus who hit the deck and the race was stopped.

After the referee looked at the replays, Loftus was excluded and the race awarded as a Bears 5-1 with Scott taking the win whilst Lambert took a confidence boosting paid win ahead of Sedgmen.

After a Klindt win in a shared heat 13, the Monarchs (who found themselves 8 behind) played their tactical substitute in the shape of Kye Thomson and it worked to perfection as the Australian star won, and with captain Castagna 2nd, the Monarchs forced a last heat decider.

Heat 15 saw Klindt partnered by Scott whilst Edinburgh elected to use Thompson and the heat 14 winner Thomson. Klindt did a number one’s job and gated, but the story was behind the testimonial man as Scott forced himself into second and took a surprisingly comfortable paid win to send the Bears fans wild as they celebrated another home win.

Redcar Bears = 49

1. Nicolai Klindt = 12
2. Ace Pijper R/R
3. Simon Lambert = 7+2
4. Jason Edwards = 6+1
5. Jake Allen = 5+1
6. Jake Mulford = 8+1
7. Jody Scott = 11+2

Edinburgh Monarchs = 41

1. Dan Thompson = 10
2. Jonatan Grahn = 5
3. Justin Sedgmen = 7
4. Paco Castagna = 5+1
5. Kye Thomson = 12+1
6. Mitch Cluff = 0
7. Jordy Loftus = 2

REDCAR boss Gavin Parr praised his side’s “priceless” team spirit as the Bears pulled off a comeback for the ages to prevail 46-44 against the Oxford Cheetahs at the ECCO Arena.

The Bears trailed by 10 points at one stage and by 8 points with 3 races remaining but managed to pull off a stunning victory to galvanise the whole club. Nicolai Klindt returned to form with 15 points whilst ex-Bear Anders Rowe top scored with 11 for Oxford.

Parr, who guided Redcar to BSN Series glory last season, was effusive in his praise for the side. Parr said, “The fighting spirit got us over the line last night, we win and we lose as a team but the attitude of these lads is second to none.”

The match started in the worst possible way for the hosts as the Cheetahs pairing of Luke Killeen and Sam Masters gated for a comfortable 5-1, and again, Redcar were left with work to do in the early stages.

The reserves race saw Jake Mulford continue his blistering form to win with ease, and with Bears guest Max Perry in 3rd, Redcar halved the early deficit.

However, Oxford re-established their four point buffer as Rowe won despite calculated pressure from Jason Edwards, and with the returning Edward Kennett 3rd, the Cheetahs had started the brighter.

After Jake Allen opened his account to win a shared heat 4, the visitors, (looking to bounce back after a home defeat to Glasgow on Wednesday) opened up a six point lead as Masters won, and with Killeen 3rd, Redcar were in trouble.

Heat six saw Nicolai Klindt fly from the tapes for an easy win, and with Ace Pijper 2nd, Redcar looked set to bounce back. However, Pijper shed a chain at the end of lap 3, turning a maximum 5-1 into a shared heat, and the Bears fans were thinking it was going to be one of those nights.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts in the next heat as Perry crashed into his own teammate Allen, and the young reserve was excluded from the re-run. The re-run saw Allen gate, but both Rowe and Kennett went either side of the man from Brisbane, extending Oxford’s lead to 10 points on Teesside.

Heat eight saw another Bear crash, this time Pijper (despite making a good gate) tasted the ECCO Arena shale, and he was excluded from the re-run. The re-run was a shared race as Mulford won, which gave the Bears fans a glimmer of hope with the Redcar number six due out three more times in the remainder of the meeting.

Parr used his tactical substitute in heat nine as Klindt joined Edwards at the tapes, and the switch paid dividends as the Dane won, and with Edwards 2nd, Redcar had their eyes set on a comeback win.

After the stylish Klindt took his 3rd win in a shared heat 10, the Bears crept within four points of the Cheetahs with a heat 11 4-2. Mulford again showed his class with another heat win, and with Allen 3rd (despite the Australian holding off his compatriot Killeen for much of the race), the Bears were a maximum heat advantage away from levelling matters.

However, Oxford hit back to stun the home faithful as Rowe won heat 12, and with Darryl Ritchings remarkably holding off both Simon Lambert and Jake Mulford for 2nd, the Cheetahs were on the verge of victory.

Redcar knew they had to find something special in the next race to keep the match alive and they did just that as Klindt won, and with Jake Allen holding off the Oxford skipper Sam Masters, Redcar had a sniff at 37-41.

A four point deficit turned into a level meeting after heat 14 as Mulford bounced back from a disappointing heat 12 to win, and with Edwards tucking into 2nd, the home fans were sensing an almighty Teesside turnaround.

The final heat of a spectacular evening saw Redcar complete the comeback as Klindt made it 5 wins on the night, and with Allen keeping Rowe at the back, the hosts secured a scarcely believable home win.

The two sides will meet again on Wednesday at Oxford with more Cab Direct Championship points on offer.

Redcar Bears = 46

1. Nicolai Klindt = 15
2. Ace Pijper = 1
3. Simon Lambert = 1
4. Jason Edwards = 8+2
5. Jake Allen = 8+1
6. Jake Mulford = 12
7. Max Perry (G) = 1

Oxford Cheetahs = 44

1. Sam Masters = 8+1
2. Luke Killeen = 8
3. Anders Rowe = 11
4. Edward Kennett = 5+2
5. Mitch McDiarmid = 4
6. Darryl Ritchings = 4+2
7. Dayle Wood = 4+2