Category: Bears News

As announced last night, the Bears Supporters Group is back!

Your chance to grow the club and play your part!

If you have an idea to help the Bears, join the supporters group to be that link between the supporters and the promotion!

Membership costs £15 for adults and juniors, included in your membership is:

A mini Bears kevlar kit
Action posters
Bespoke signed birthday card
Top 100 Bears placard
Bears travel flag

Junior members get priority entry into the Silver Helmet mascot draw!

Membership forms are available from Graham Porter who will have a table outside the track shop against the Belle Vue Colts!

Alternatively, if you see Charlotte Swales or Judith Bailey around the ECCO Arena they will happily take your details whilst you can also contact the supporters group @ redcarbearsbsg@gmail.com

Redcar got their league campaign up and running with a stunning 50-40 win over the reigning Cab Direct champions Glasgow. Charles Wright continued his brilliant form with paid 12 whilst Chris Harris hit paid 14 for the visitors. 

The first race of an entertaining evening’s racing saw Chris Harris take the win, but with his partner Paul Starke at the back, the Tigers could not gain a heat advantage on Teesside. However, the visitors did take the lead in heat 2 as the impressive Jack Smith held off the hard charging Jake Mulford, and with Ace Pijper in 3rd, the Tigers hit the front in the early stages. 

Nevertheless, Redcar seized the initiative in heat 3 as the new Bear, Dan Gilkes took a comfortable, crowd pleasing win. The race looked set for a 4-2 until James Pearson shed a chain on the final bend with Jason Edwards (who was close to Pearson throughout) coming through for 2nd to give Redcar a 10-8 advantage at the ECCO Arena. 

After a pair of shared heats won by Steve Worrall and Chris Harris (who passed Gilkes and Edwards for the 3 points), the Bears extended their lead to 4 as Wright muscled his way past Jack Smith on the opening bends for a 4-2 heat advantage for Redcar. The Bears, riding with vigour and grit, stretched their lead to six with another 4-2 as the impressive guest, Tate Zischke took the chequered flag, and with the unfortunate Pearson falling whilst in 3rd, the Bears had another heat advantage with Ben Trigger happily grabbing 3rd place. 

The Tigers task was made harder as Pearson withdrew with injury, leaving the visitors without one of their star men from the season so far. Heat 8 saw ex Tiger Connor Bailey take a superb win, and with Mulford holding off the more experienced Paul Starke for 2nd, Redcar extended their lead to 10. 

With the visitors more than 6 behind, their team manager, Cami Brown brought in a tactical substitute in the shape of Chris Harris to try and turn the tide. However, the Tigers did not account for the flying Dan Gilkes who won comfortably with Harris having to use all his experience to hold off Jason Edwards for 2nd, but it was another Redcar heat advantage with the hosts now holding a welcome 12 point lead. 

The Bears were firing and heat 10 saw the 2019 KO Cup winners take yet another 5-1. Wright took a convincing win whilst Bailey rode superbly to hold off Leon Flint for the paid win which sent the Redcar support into delirium, with a first league win looking to be on the cards. 

However, things were never going to be completely plain sailing and the Tigers hit back as Harris and Starke combined for a 5-1 to reduce the gap to 12 points on Teesside. The Glasgow freight train was beginning to gain momentum as they hit another 5-1 as Flint and Smith combined to set the Redcar hearts racing. 

Nevertheless, the Bears were not to be denied as Zischke and Wright strode clear of Worrall and Harris for a 5-1 to give Redcar a much needed victory. 

Heat 14 saw Edwards take a masterful heat win as he passed Smith on bend 3 of the opening lap, and with Mulford comfortable in 3rd, Redcar stretched their advantage to 14 at the ECCO Arena. The final race of an entertaining afternoon’s racing saw the Glasgow pairing of Flint and Harris team ride superbly to hold off Wright which gave the visitors a consolation 5-1 to end the match. 

Redcar Bears = 50

1. Charles Wright = 11+1

2. Connor Bailey = 7+2

3. Dan Gilkes = 8+1

4. Jason Edwards = 8+1

5. Tate Zischke (G) = 8

6. Ben Trigger = 2

7. Jake Mulford = 6+2

Glasgow Tigers = 40

1. Chris Harris = 13+1

2. Paul Starke = 3+1

3. Leon Flint = 10

4. James Pearson = 0 Withdrawn

5. Steve Worrall = 6

6. Jack Smith = 7+1

7. Ace Pijper = 1

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales has stressed that his side are “a young, improving side” despite the Bears start to the season. The “Agilia” Bears return to home shale tonight as they take on Glasgow in Cab Direct Championship action with tapes up at 5pm at the ECCO Arena. 

Swales, who is remaining positive despite the side’s recent run, believes his side are improving, “ We are the youngest side in the league but the team is improving! Last night’s meeting against Scunthorpe was a pretty good performance and Connor (Bailey) started to build his confidence with a couple of good heat wins, so hopefully that can help him kick on.”

The former rider turned promoter was also happy with Dan Gilkes’ debut in Bears colours, “ Dan rode well last night and got a heat win. I think Dan is a better rider at the ECCO Arena than he is at Scunthorpe so if he can bring his form into tonight’s meeting then we will be pleased!”

Swales also waxed lyrical about one of the Redcar success stories, Jason Edwards who continues to go from strength to strength, “Jason is the type of rider we want at the club. I think he will go a long way in the sport and hopefully he can do that whilst racing for Redcar.”

The exuberant boss believes that despite the Tigers being the reigning league champions, tougher tests are around in the league, “I don’t think Glasgow are as strong as Scunthorpe so if we can take our performance forward from the meeting last night, I think we should be okay.”

Redcar have once again called on the services of the exciting Australian Tate Zischke to guest in place of hand injury victim Danny King whilst Glasgow have the luxury of naming a full strength 1-7 with the reigning champions being led by Chris Harris at number 1. 

Fans who are unable to attend the meeting are reminded that the meeting will be live streamed by our streaming partners, Tapes Up Productions at www.redcar-speedway.tv/

Redcar Agilia Bears. 

1- Charles Wright (c) 8.12

2- Connor Bailey 5.53

3- Dan Gilkes 5.56

4- Jason Edwards 5.32

5- Tate Zischke (G) 7.87

6- Ben Trigger 2.25

7- Jake Mulford 3.20

TM Gavin Parr

Glasgow Tigers 

1 Chris Harris (c) 9.29 

2 Paul Starke 3.52 

3 Leon Flint 6.60

4 James Pearson 4.20 

5 Steve Worrall 8.09

6 Jack Smith 3.50

7 Ace Pjiper 3.03

™: Cameron Brown

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears fell to a 53-37 defeat away at Scunthorpe. However, the side put in a resolute, battling display with the Bears performance deserving more. Jake Allen top scored for the hosts with 13 whilst Charles Wright hit 10 for Redcar.

The Scorpions started with a 4-2 heat advantage as Connor Mountain got the better of Wright in the early exchanges, and with Kyle Howarth in 3rd ahead of Connor Bailey, the hosts had their noses in front after the first heat. Heat 2 saw Scunthorpe double their lead to 4 points as Luke Harrison bolted from gate 4 for an impressive win but with Ben Trigger admirably holding off Nathan Ablitt, Scunthorpe did not hit a maximum heat advantage. 

The third heat of an entertaining evening’s racing saw Jake Allen win, and with his partner, Simon Lambert in 3rd, Scunthorpe made it a hat-trick of 4-2 heat advantages to open up a 6 point lead over the Bears. Heat 4 saw Redcar pick up their first heat win as Tate Zischke took the win after a ding dong battle with Michael Palm-Toft, but with Trigger at the back, the Bears could not eat into Scunthorpe’s early advantage. 

Heat 5 saw the visitors hit their first heat advantage. Redcar gated on a 5-1 until Allen passed Bailey and then set after Wright with no quarter given, but the skipper held on for the win, and with Bailey in a comfortable 3rd, the gap was reduced to 4 points. 

However, Scunthorpe immediately hit back with a 5-1 in heat 6 as Howarth and Mountain both passed the fast starting Ben Trigger, and with Zischke unable to provide a challenge, the hosts stretched their lead to 8 points on home shale.

The initial staging of heat 7 saw the race sat on a 3-3 until Ablitt hit the fence on lap 2, with the race set for a re-run. However, the initial re-run saw Palm-Toft move at the start with the Dane being warned to sit still at the start. The next few minutes saw another 3 attempts to run the race with the automatic starting system malfunctioning, causing a lengthy delay to proceedings. Finally, in the 5th attempt at a re-run, Palm-Toft won (despite having looked to have moved at the start), but with the Bears unopposed for the minor placings, Scunthorpe’s lead remained at 8 points. 

Heat 8 saw more starting issues with the solution of a green flag being used in place of a green light. The second staging of heat 8 saw Bailey take a confidence boosting win, and with Jake Mulford in 3rd, Redcar kept battling to reduce the deficit to 6 points in Lincolnshire. Heat 9 saw the race of the night as tactical substitute Charles Wright and Scunthorpe’s Jake Allen produced a race for the ages! Wright gated but Allen passed him on lap 2. Nevertheless, the skipper was not done as he produced not one but two masterful cutbacks on laps 3 and 4 respectively to get the better of his former Bears teammate for the win, but with Zischke at the rear, Redcar remained 6 behind. 

Heat 10 saw the Redcar hopes of a comeback diminish as Howarth and Mountain took a big 5-1 over Dan Gilkes and Jason Edwards to give Scunthorpe breathing space with a 10 point advantage. The next heat saw Redcar hit a 4-2 as the ever improving Bailey took another win, but with Wright in 3rd after being passed by Palm-Toft, the Bears supporters had to settle for a 4-2 which reduced the deficit to 8 points. Heat 12 marked Dan Gilkes’ first win as a Bear as he produced a superb ride to pass and then hold off Simon Lambert, but with Trigger at the back, Redcar remained 8 in arrears. 

Heat 13 saw more controversy as Wright led from the tapes with Zischke trying everything at the back. The exciting Aussie fell, but almost immediately cleared the track. However, the referee immediately put the red lights on as Zischke crashed, with the decision to re-run the race being met with derision from the Redcar faithful. The re-run saw both Scorpions (Palm-Toft and Howarth) pass Wright for a 5-1 to secure the 3 points for Scunthorpe. 

Heat 14 saw another superb battle as Edwards and Allen battled it out in the first 2 laps until Allen used his years of Scunthorpe experience to take the win, but with his partner, Ablitt at the back, the gap remained 12 points. The final race of the night saw Howarth and Palm-Toft hit a 5-1, despite the best efforts of Bailey to give Scunthorpe a 53-37 win on home soil. 

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 53 (99)

1. Kyle Howarth = 11+2

2. Connor Mountain = 10+1

3. Simon Lambert = 4+1

4. Jake Allen = 13

5. Michael Palm Toft = 9+1

6. Nathan Ablitt = 1

7. Luke Harrison = 5+2

Redcar Bears = 37 (81)

1. Charles Wright = 10

2. Connor Bailey = 8

3. Dan Gilkes = 6

4. Jason Edwards = 5+1

5. Tate Zischke (G) = 4

6. Ben Trigger = 27. Jake Mulford = 2+1

Redcar’s new signing, Dan Gilkes has challenged himself to “win some races” and “put a smile back on Bears fans faces” after the “Agilia” Bears slow start to the season. Gilkes will make his debut for Redcar tonight as the Bears travel to Scunthorpe in Cab Direct Championship action with tapes up at 7:30 at the Eddie Wright Raceway. 

Gilkes is setting himself the target of winning races to help improve the Bears fortunes, “I’m hoping to get a lot of race wins! I’ll be doing everything on and off track to bring the best version of Dan Gilkes for the club, and if I can get some race wins, hopefully that will contribute to the side getting some wins, which will put a smile back on Bears fans’ faces.”

Gilkes has also expressed his likeness for the Eddie Wright Raceway, which will be music to the ears of Bears fans, “It’s no secret that I like the Scunthorpe track, when I was a youth rider it was a track that I would visit regularly. I always enjoy coming to Scunthorpe and racing and I can’t wait to start my Bears career there this Friday!”

The British starlet is also excited at the prospect of linking up with Jason Edwards, with the pair currently racing together for Sheffield at reserve, “It’s nice to join a new team and know one of the riders already. I’ve spent a lot of time with Jason this year at Sheffield so to already know someone in the team is a bonus.”

Despite being the club’s new signing, Gilkes is not putting any pressure on his own shoulders, “I don’t really put too much pressure on myself, I will do the best job I can and the Bears fans will be getting 100% from me.”

With the Bears down at Plymouth and Poole next week, Gilkes, a former Plymouth Gladiator, is looking forward to visiting one of his old clubs, “ Plymouth is a track that I enjoy riding, I’ve spent around a full season racing for them. I’m looking forward to racing on the newly shaped circuit and doing my job for Redcar.”

Despite Redcar’s start to the season, Gilkes remains optimistic of a place in the season ending play-offs, “I hope we can make the play-offs! If we do qualify it’s extra meetings for the team so I’m hoping we can push ourselves up the table and into contention.”

Redcar have drafted in Workington’s exciting Aussie Tate Zischke to guest in place of Danny King. The Redcar skipper, Charles Wright will be hoping to continue his sparkling form with the skipper currently averaging 8.96. The hosts, Scunthorpe have named a full strength side with David Howe’s men looking to continue their impressive start to the season on home shale. The Scorpions have won all 4 meetings at home this season which includes an impressive 63-27 KO Cup dismantling of Berwick. 

Any fans who are unable to attend the meeting are reminded that the meeting will be streamed live at https://tv.scunthorpe-speedway.com/ 

Scunthorpe Scorpions 

1 Kyle Howarth 7.73

2 Connor Mountain 5.55

3 Simon Lambert © 6.11

4 Jake Allen 7.24

5 Michael Palm-Toft 7.24

6 Nathan Ablitt 3.41

7 Luke Harrison 2.00

™: David Howe 

Redcar Agilia Bears

1- Charles Wright (c) 8.12

2- Connor Bailey 5.53

3- Dan Gilkes 5.56

4- Jason Edwards 5.32

5- Tate Zischke (G) 7.87

6- Ben Trigger 2.25

7- Jake Mulford 3.20

™: Gavin Parr

In a bid to get our season back on track we have parted ways with Jonas Knudsen, despite a couple of really strong performances Jonas has struggled so far this season. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jonas for his efforts and we hope to see him in Bears colours again in the future.

After an extensive search to strengthen up the Agilia Bears we are delighted to reveal highly rated British youngster Dan Gilkes. Welcome to the club Dan

Redcar star Jason Edwards has reassured supporters that better times are coming for the “Agilia” Bears. Redcar travel to Glasgow tonight in Cab Direct Championship action with tapes up at 7:30 in Scotland. 

Edwards, who has been in fine form this season, is full of belief that the results will turn for his side, “We all need to stick together, in a lot of meetings this season we have been losing out by a couple of points here and a couple of points there. I do believe we are not far away from becoming a very good side and if we stick together, better times will be coming soon!”

The British youngster has also urged his side to draw on last year’s KO Cup meeting at Glasgow, when the Bears came out 48-42 winners on away soil, “ Glasgow is always a tough place to go but we went there last season in the cup and came out with the win, and with having a track specialist like Connor (Bailey), I think we will have a good meeting.”

The Bears asset is happy with his start to the season, with the Redcar number 4 establishing an impressive 7.49 (inc. bonus points) average in the early stages of 2024, “ It has been nice to have a good start to the season and score some good points, which is what I need to be doing in both leagues. Despite the results not being what we would have wanted so far this season, there is a really good atmosphere at Redcar, so we have just got to keep plugging away to turn these defeats into victories.”

Glasgow hand a debut to their new signing at reserve, Jack Smith. Smith, a former Bear has been guesting for the Tigers after Lee Complin’s ban from the sport and the Glasgow asset has been the side’s match winner against Workington and Oxford at home. The Tigers have the British legend, Chris Harris at number 1, whilst James Pearson has been performing well for the Tigers at number 4. 

Redcar are once again forced to track guests with Jonas Knudsen ruled out with a concussion that he suffered in Poland whilst Danny King remains sidelined with a broken hand. The Bears promotion have called on the services of Danyon Hume to guest at number 2 whilst Workington’s Tate Zischke slots in at number 5 for Danny King. 

Glasgow Tigers 

1 Chris Harris (c) 9.29 

2 Paul Starke 3.52 

3 Leon Flint 6.60

4 James Pearson 4.20 

5 Steve Worrall 8.09

6 Jack Smith 3.50

7 Ace Pjiper 3.03

™: Cameron Brown

Redcar Agilia Bears. 

1- Charles Wright (c) 8.12

2- Danyon Hume (G) 5.51

3- Connor Bailey 5.53

4- Jason Edwards 5.32

5- Tate Zischke (G) 7.87

6- Ben Trigger 2.25

7- Jake Mulford 3.20

TM Gavin Parr

The Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers went down 55-34 against the Oxford Chargers after a tough afternoon in Oxfordshire. The in-form Luke KIlleen and Jason Garrad hit 12 for the victorious hosts whilst Ben Trigger notched 9 for the Tigers.

The Chargers number 1, Killeen opened proceedings with a heat win, both with Ben Rathbone and Jade Mudgway packing the minor placings after Wayne Hutt fell, the Tigers were level with their hosts. The Chargers hit their first maximum heat advantage in heat 2 as the reserve partnership of Ashton Vale and Senna Summers led comfortably to send the 2023 WSRA National League winners into a 8-4 lead.

After Jacob Clouting first touched the tapes and was then excluded after crashing, the Chargers took their third chequered flag, this time courtesy of Garrad, but with Danny Phillips and Jamie Halder in 2nd and 3rd respectively, the Tigers remained within touching distance.

Nevertheless, Middlesbrough hit back in heat 4, but not before some rare scenes in the original staging. After 2 laps, the race was stopped with the starting stick (used to ensure the tapes remain as still as possible) was mistakenly left on track with the referee stopping the race. The first attempt at a re-run saw Jody Scott fall in the early stages with the Chargers heat leader excluded from the re-run. The third and final staging saw Trigger take the win, and with Kai Ward ahead of Senna Summers, the visitors had their first heat advantage of the afternoon.

However, heat 5 saw Oxford re-establish their 4 point advantage after mechanical problems forced Mudgway (who was 2nd at the time) to retire from the race, handing the Chargers a 5-1 and a 17-13 lead on home shale. Heat 6 saw Trigger lead, until Killeen produced a masterful cutback on bend 3 of lap 1 to lead, and to compound Trigger’s misery, the Tigers heatleader fell and was excluded from the re-run. The re-run saw Killeen win, but with Hutt retiring with mechanical gremlins, Will Hocaniuk took second in a rarely seen 3-2 Oxford heat advantage.

The hosts extended their lead further in heat seven with a 4-2 as Scott took his first heat win, and with hotshot reserve Ashton Vale (who scored a superb 11 points) keeping Jamie Halder at the back, the Tigers were well and truly on the back foot. Vale was then back out in heat 8 as he took his second tapes to flag win, and with Summers in 2nd, the Chargers had full control.

After a pair of shared heats won by Trigger and Killeen respectively, the Chargers took their second 4-2 heat advantage as Scott held off Rathbone, but with Summers in 3rd after Mudgway broke down in the early stages, the Chargers held a mammoth 13 point lead. Heat advantages were becoming the order of the day as Garrad won, and with Vale in 3rd ahead of Hocaniuk, Oxford had tied up the match with 3 heats to spare.

Killeen and Scott then combined for a big 5-1 in heat 13 as they got the better of Trigger and Mudgway to further extend the home side’s dominance on proceedings. After a shared heat 14 won by Vale, the Chargers rounded off a superb display with a 4-2 as Scott just about held off Trigger for the win, and with Garrad 3rd, Oxford had a 21 point win on an almost perfect day on home soil.

Oxford = 55

1. Luke Killeen = 12
2. Wayne Hutt = 0
3. Jason Garrad = 12
4. Jacob Clouting = 3+2
5. Jody Scott = 11+1
6. Ashton Vale = 11
7. Senna Summers = 6+2

Middlesbrough = 34

1. Jade Mudgway = 1+1
2. Ben Rathbone = 6
3. Danny Phillips = 8
4. Jamie Halder = 4+2
5. Ben Trigger = 9
6. William Hocaniuk = 2
7. Kai Ward = 4+2

Middlesbrough Tigers number 5, Ben Trigger has declared that Wednesday’s Cab Direct Championship trip to Oxford will be invaluable to the Tigers chances this afternoon. The “Heat Floors” Tigers make the long journey south to take on the currently unbeaten Oxford Chargers in the WSRA National Development League with tapes up at 3pm at Sandy Lane.

Trigger, who has had a promising start to his career on Teesside, has revealed he has already been giving his teammates a head start ahead of the Tigers arrival in Oxfordshire, “ I have been in our team group chat giving the boys some advice on what set-ups to start with. I’m thinking that the track will be similar to Wednesday night so I’m hoping that I can remember everything I learnt and bring it out on track against the Chargers today!”

The Tigers heat leader is also aware of the pressure the club is under at the moment, after a poor start to the season in the Cab Direct Championship and the WSRA National League, “ There is always pressure in Speedway and there is more pressure on us at the moment as the sides aren’t performing as they should be. However, at this point in my career, it is still a learning curve for me so the more I can learn and pick up, the more I can add to my game.”

Trigger will be in the unusual position of racing alongside his promoter, Jade Mudgway, who is making a one match comeback at number 1 with Jake Mulford racing in Germany, and Trigger believes his boss will do well, “ I am expecting Jade to do well, I watched him practise at Redcar and Berwick recently and it doesn’t look like he has forgotten anything! If Jade gets out in front I think it will be hard to pass him.”

Oxford are led by their ever improving Luke Killeen at number 1 whilst the exciting Jody Scott is at number 5. Additionally, Senna Summers, the son of the former Bear, Aaron Summers lines up at reserve for the Chargers. The current WSRA National Development League champions are also forced into a change as they bring in the unattached Wayne Hutt at number 2 with Alex Spooner out with injury.

The “Heat Floors” Tigers skipper, Danny Phillips will be hoping to lead the way after a relatively slow start to his campaign whilst Jamie Halder will be desperate to replicate his display at Sheffield when the Tigers man hit an impressive double figure score. The Tigers side will also be looking to impress the club promoter, Jade Mudgway, on and off track with the Kiwi set to make a debut performance at number 1 for the recently reprised side.

Any supporters who are unable to attend the match are reminded that the clash will be live streamed at https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club/

Oxford Chargers

1. Luke Killeen 7.73 © 
2. Wayne Hutt 5.07 (G)
3. Jason Garrad 4.77
4. Jacob Clouting 5.05
5. Jody Scott 5.31
6. Ashton Vale 3.00
7. Senna Summers 3.00

™: Peter Schroek

Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers

1. Jade Mudgway 7.62 
2. Ben Rathbone 4.07
3.  Danny Phillips 6.91 (C)
4.  Jamie Halder 4.58
5.  Ben Trigger 6.34
6.  William Hocaniuk 3.00
7.  Kai Ward 3.00

™: Stuart Swales

Redcar were defeated 53-36 by Oxford after a strong team performance from the Cheetahs. The hosts turned on the style in the middle of the meeting to take control of the Cab Direct Championship clash. Oxford’s Sam Masters hit paid 14 for his side whilst Charles Wright hit paid 12 for the battling Bears.

The Cheetahs got off to the perfect start with a 5-1 in the opening heat as Sam Masters trapped for the win with Cameron Heeps rolling back the years to produce a brilliant defensive ride to hold off Wright and give the hosts an early 4 point advantage.

Heat 2 saw the Bears open their heat winners account as Jake Mulford impressively passed Luke Killeen in the early stages of the last lap to take the win, but with Ben Trigger at the back, Redcar remained 4 behind. The third race saw Redcar hit their first heat advantage as the ever improving Redcar guest, Dan Thompson won, and with Connor Bailey in 3rd, Redcar cut the gap to 2 in Oxfordshire.

The Bears then took the lead after a superb maximum in heat 4 as Michael Palm-Toft won after a superb gate, whilst Ben Trigger took, arguably, the biggest scalp of his career, to hold off Scott Nicholls for the paid win, much to the delight of the Redcar support and promotion. After track grading, Luke Killeen gated and rode superbly for much of the race until Wright did what he does best and passed the Oxford reserve around the outside to take the win, but with Jordan Jenkins ahead of Knudsen in the battle for 3rd, Redcar could not extend their slim lead.

The Cheetahs began to make their move, which began with a 5-1 in heat six as Heeps, (yet to be beaten by a Redcar rider) took the chequered flag, and with Masters dealing with Palm-Toft in the early stages, Oxford took a 2 point lead of their own heading into heat seven. Heat 7 saw some controversy with most onlookers believing Nicholls moved at the start but the referee allowed the race to continue. The 3rd bend of the opening lap then saw Dan Thompson collide with the back wheel of Nicholls with the Brit excluded from the re-run. The re-run saw Killeen and Nicholls team ride for a 5-1 to extend the hosts advantage to 6.

Heat 8 saw Knudsen gate until the impressive young talent of Ashton Boughen passed the Bears man on lap 2, and with Heeps flying around the outside of the Bears number 2 on the run to the line, the Cheetahs took a stranglehold on proceedings. After a Redcar tactical substitute was negated by a superb heat win from Boughen in a shared race, the Cheetahs showed their home track knowledge as Masters and Heeps team rode to block every attempt from Dan Thompson to record a 5-1 to send Oxford into a 14 point lead on home shale.

With heat 11 being shared after a win by Nicholls, Heeps was left rueing his luck after he hit a wet patch (water bowser malfunction) whilst leading heat 12 with the race being stopped in the interests of safety. The re-run saw Redcar supporters scratching their heads at their side’s fortune as Connor Bailey looked set for a comfortable win until the British U21 Champion suffered mechanical problems and thus retired from the race which gave Killeen the heat win, despite the best efforts of Jake Mulford in 2nd.

The thirteenth race saw Masters and Nicholls combine for a big home 5-1 to officially confirm the win on home shale. Nevertheless, the Bears kept battling and gated on a 5-1 in heat 14. However, Jenkins hit the deck whilst attempting to pass Trigger around the outside on bend 2 of the opening lap which saw all 4 riders being invited back for a re-run. The re-run saw Thompson win, but Trigger was passed exiting bend 2 by both Cheetahs, and despite the Bears reserves best efforts, he could not separate the Oxford duo. Heat 15 saw some consolation for the Bears supporters as Wright lowered the colours of Masters to win, and with Dan Thompson in 3rd, Redcar ended the match with a well deserved heat advantage.

Oxford Cheetahs = 53

1. Sam Masters = 13+1
2. Cameron Heeps = 9+3
3. Henry Atkins R/R = 5
4. Jordan Jenkins = 5+1
5. Scott Nicholls = 8+2
6. Ashton Boughen = 8+2
7. Luke Killeen = 10
8. Jason Garrad = 0

Redcar Bears = 36

1. Charles Wright = 11+1
2. Jonas Knudsen = 2+1
3. Connor Bailey = 2
4. Dan Thompson (G) = 8
5. Michael Palm Toft (G) = 6
6. Jake Mulford = 5
7. Ben Trigger = 2+1