Category: Bears News

Redcar produced another fantastic home performance to see off the current Championship leaders, Leicester 51-39 at the ECCO Arena. The meeting was one of the best advertisements you will see for British Speedway in many a year and the fans in attendance were treated to classic racing. Jordan Jenkins scored a fantastic paid 13 for Redcar with Kyle Howarth hitting 12 for the Lions.

Nick Morris won the opener at a canter but with the Bears packing into the minor placings, Leicester could not gain an early lead. Jenkins’ night started in perfect fashion as he gated to win heat 2 comfortably with Kyle Bickley getting his first paid win as a Bear to send Redcar ahead after heat 2. Another heat advantage followed for the fast starting Bears as Erik Riss held off Richie Worrall for the win and with Kasper Andersen comfortably gaining third, Redcar went 6 ahead.

Kyle Howarth started his evening in impressive fashion with a tapes to flag heat 4 win but with the Bears duo in second and third, Leicester still could not gain a heat advantage. Riss made it back to back heat wins with a superb defensive ride to hold off Morris but with Andersen retiring at the back, Leicester stayed within 6.

Heat 6 was another shared race with Howarth again showing the Redcar pairing a clean pair of heels. Leicester boss Stewart Dickson played his tactical substitute card in heat 7 but the desired outcome was not achieved as Lewis Kerr won from the gate to nullify Morris and Worrall.

Jenkins popped out of the gate to win heat 8 with Mountain riding the boards to hold off Edwards who was looking quick on the kerb. Nevertheless, with another home heat advantage, Redcar surged 8 ahead. Heat 9 saw 2 unbeaten riders in Howarth and Riss battle it out with Howarth taking yet another tapes to flag win despite late pressure from Andersen as Redcar again settled into the minor placings.

Edwards underlined his vast 2022 improvement with a fantastic heat 10 success as he passed Worrall for the win. Worrall and Wright then made contact at the conclusion of lap 2 which gave Wright the impetus to dive up the inside of Worrall to send the home fans delirious as Redcar went 36-24 ahead. At the end of the race, Worrall was clearly unhappy with Wright.

Leicester hit back with their solitary 5-1 of the evening in heat 11 as Morris expertly team rode Connor Mountain home to keep Leicester interested. That interest soon faded in heat 12 with one of the best rides you will ever see around Redcar. Jenkins was stone last heading into lap 3 but the flying Redcar reserve passed Clegg on the outside and then dived up the inside of Worrall on the final lap to join Riss at the front for a Bears 5-1.

More exhilarating speedway followed in heat 13 as Leicester initially gated on a 5-1 but going into the opening bend of lap 2, Morris, Wright and Kerr were 3 abreast. Kerr pushed Morris wide who proceeded to clip the fence which left Wright through to join Kerr at the front to ensure the win for the hosts and no Jubilee group points for Leicester.

Connor Mountain won heat 14 in a Lions 4-2 to save some face for the visitors with heat 15 yet again providing fantastic entertainment. Howarth and Morris looked set to send the Lions support home with a consolation 5-1 until Jenkins built up his speed on the outside once again and the former Mildenhall man succeeded as he pipped Morris for second to cap off a memorable evening for “The Jet”.

Jenkins was understandably delighted with his performance, “Tonight was a real tough test but it was a good night for the team and me personally with paid 13. I used a different engine tonight which I brought back from Poland and it worked wonders.”

Redcar Bears = 51

1. Charles Wright = 7+3
2. Jason Edwards = 7+1
3. Erik Riss = 10+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 5
5. Lewis Kerr = 8+1
6. Kyle Bickley = 2+1
7. Jordan Jenkins = 12+1

Leicester Lions = 39

1. Nick Morris = 11+1
2. Connor Mountain = 9+1
3. Richie Worrall = 5+1
4. Dan Thompson R/R
5. Kyle Howarth = 12
6. Max Clegg = 1
7. Joe Thompson = 1

Redcar’s dynamic British heatleader duo, Charles Wright and Lewis Kerr will compete in British Speedway’s blue riband event after being selected to compete in the 2022 British Final on August 1st at the National Speedway Stadium, and Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales is ecstatic about the news!

Wright last won the title back on a memorable night in 2019 whilst Kerr will be bidding for his maiden success.

The Bears co-promoter said, “It shows how well we are doing as a club at the moment as I can’t recall us having two representatives in the final many times before!”

The former rider is bullish about the chances of the Bears duo, “Charles obviously knows that track, (Belle Vue) inside out and looking at the field, I don’t see anyone who is quicker than him around the National Speedway Stadium. I also think Lewi has a chance despite Belle Vue not being his favourite track but as we all know, Lewi could easily turn up on the night and take the crown!”

Swales also believes that Redcar’s 2 young club assets, Jason Edwards and Jordan Jenkins will be in future British Finals, “Both of our young assets are on the right trajectory and they are both improving this season. They both should look at their two teammates in the final and think, that will be me in the future! Personally, I also believe they are both not too far behind Leon Flint who has been selected for the event.”

The top 14 averaged riders were selected for the event with 2 wildcards also named. The meeting also includes former multiple winners in Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris and the current Grand Prix star Dan Bewley.

LINE-UP (Not in riding order): Dan Bewley, Adam Ellis, Chris Harris, Danny King, Richard Lawson, Steve Worrall, Craig Cook, Kyle Howarth, Charles Wright, Richie Worrall, Lewis Kerr, Scott Nicholls, Paul Starke, Ben Barker, Leon Flint, Tom Brennan. Reserves: Danyon Hume, Connor Mountain.

Redcar’s German star Erik Riss is looking forward to Friday’s fixture against the Leicester Lions in the new Championship Jubilee League, (19:30 start) after Redcar moved back into the play-off positions with their big home win over Berwick last week.

The former Birmingham star said, “We have been in the play-off positions before this season and now we are back in the play-off positions and that’s where we want to be!”

Fans have noticed the German’s improvement in his team riding this season but the Bears heat leader has not consciously made that change, “My improvement in team riding is not something I have consciously changed. Maybe it has been noticed more because our reserves have been doing well and I will always look after the younger riders if they need help.”

The Ipswich reserve believes Redcar’s new signing Kyle Bickley will also begin to fire for the club, “I tried to give Kyle some advice on bike set-ups but I think he puts himself under a lot of pressure after his release from Berwick. I also think Kyle was a little unlucky as he trapped in his first race and he was leading until it was brought back.”

Riss has also been impressed with Redcar’s new number 2, Jason Edwards, “Jason has moved into the main body and done really well, I’ve really been impressed with him.”

Redcar are again at full strength as Kyle Bickley looks to find the spark that will see him flourish for the Bears. Gavin Parr will lead the team for the very first time due to Jade Mudgway’s impending holiday back in New Zealand.

Championship leaders Leicester are without Dan Thompson who is ruled out through concussion after crashing for the Leicester Cubs in the National League last weekend, rider replacement will operate in his absence. The Lions will be hoping to turn the tables on the Bears who took a 48-42 win against the Lions when they last visited the Ecco Arena.

Redcar Agilia Bears
1 Charles Wright 9.19 (C)
2 Jason Edwards 4.28
3 Erik Riss            8.18
4 Kasper Andersen 4.97
5 Lewis Kerr         7.47
6 Kyle Bickley 3.42
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.72
TM Gavin Parr

Leicester Watling JCB Lions
1 Nick Morris 9.13
2 Connor Mountain 5.43
3 Richie Worrall 8.53
4 Rider Replacement for Dan Thompson 4.97
5 Kyle Howarth 8.47 ©
6 Max Clegg 4.52
7 Joe Thompson 3.92
TM Stewart Dickson

Redcar’s interim team manager Gavin Parr has hailed his opportunity to be the Redcar team manager as a dream come true as he takes the reins against the Leicester Lions in the Championship Jubilee League. Additionally, the club can also confirm the dates for their two rearranged Championship league matches, more on that later!

Redcar’s Jade Mudgway is returning back to New Zealand to see his family and Parr has been given the opportunity to lead the side in the Kiwi’s absence.

The likeable Geordie said, “It’s a dream come true and I’m massively proud to be given the opportunity whilst Jade is away for the next month. I used to watch speedway with my Dad and I would be telling him which changes I would make and now I get the chance to do the real thing!”

The current Redcar Cubs team boss believes working alongside Jade Mudgway this season will help him during his stint as team boss, “We knew Jade was going away and I was asked at the beginning of the season if I would stand in for him. The promotion wanted to get me more involved so I could get to know the riders so I have been go-karting alongside other social events.”

Parr believes knowing the side will help him massively during his stint as boss, “I have been around the pits all season and the riders know me quite well now. I have been on the spanners for Kasper (Andersen) and Adam (Roynon) when he rode for the club and that will help with the transition.”

The club can now also confirm the dates for the fixtures against Glasgow and Scunthorpe respectively. The Bears will host the Glasgow Tigers on Sunday 21st August with a 19:30 start due to the car park being used by the motocross for most of the day.

Additionally, Redcar’s last league fixture of the regular season will be against the Scunthorpe Scorpions on Friday 26th August with the normal 19:30 start time at the Ecco Arena. 

Redcar recorded their biggest home league win of the season as they overcame the Berwick Bandits with a convincing 53-37 victory at the Ecco Arena. Lewis Kerr top scored for the hosts with 14 whilst Berwick’s Chris Harris top scored with 8+1.

The meeting started in the best possible fashion for Redcar as they hit a first heat 5-1 with Charles Wright exquisitely team riding Jason Edwards home under intense pressure from Chris Harris to give Redcar the perfect start. Berwick immediately hit back in heat 2 with their only 5-1 of the evening as their new recruit Jonas Knudsen took an impressive win with Nathan Stoneman claiming second despite early pressure from Jordan Jenkins.

Redcar retook their lead with a heat three 4-2 as Erik Riss glided around Jye Etheridge and with Kasper Andersen keeping Ricky Wells at the back, Redcar took a 2 point lead. Redcar’s second 5-1 of the meeting arrived in heat 4 as Lewis Kerr started off a fantastic evening with a big win with Jordan Jenkins joining the Brit to send Redcar 6 ahead.

Home heat advantages were the order of the day for the Bears as Riss took his second win with a titanic win over Harris. Riss gated but was passed by Harris at the end of the opening lap but Riss, not to be denied re-passed “Bomber” on lap 2 to take a fantastic win. Berwick steadied the ship with a heat 6 win courtesy of Leon Flint but with the Bears packing into second and third, the 8 point lead remained.

Kerr won heat 7 with an unbelievable divebomb up the inside of Etheridge to take a fantastic win but the lead remained at 8 as Berwick packed into second and third. Jenkins gated in heat 8 but the wily Theo Pijper passed the young reserve to keep Berwick within 8.

Gary Flint played his tactical substitute card in the shape of Harris but the Peterborough star packed up on the start line which prevented any form of away heat advantage. The Bandits Leon Flint continued his good night with another win over a Bears heat leader as he took the chequered flag ahead of Riss to keep Berwick within 8.

Redcar delivered a hammer blow to the Bandits hopes in heat 10 as Wright won comfortably from the gate with fantastic action behind him. Edwards initially held second until he was passed by Ricky Wells but the Redcar asset was not to be denied as he stormed up the inside of the Berwick man to send the home fans wild and send Redcar into a rarely seen 12 point home lead.

The 5th and 6th shared heats of the evening arrived in heats 11&12 with both Kerr and Riss taking impressive wins. Redcar secured the much needed home win in heat 13 as Wright won from the gate but Harris put an end to Kerr’s maximum chances with the Kings Lynn man having to settle for third.

The fast starting Dane, Knudsen took another solid win in heat 14 but Berwick’s slim chances of a consolation point were ended with Nathan Stoneman running a last. The final race of the night was another classic as Kerr took the win despite Bombers best efforts. Bomber passed Kerr in the closing stages of the opening lap but Kerr built his pace up on the outside and repaid the compliment in lap 3 to secure his 4th heat win of the evening.

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales was happy with his sides performance, “6 of the riders were on form tonight and apart from matches against Newcastle, that hasn’t happened this season. Kasper (Andersen) rode really well despite his points not reflecting his performance. Hopefully we have now turned the corner and we can kick on,”

Swales was also impressed with Jason Edwards as he continued his great season in Bears colours, “Jason keeps getting better, it was a really mature performance from him. Jason made a great, forceful pass in heat 10 to beat Ricky Wells and he is getting more and more home experience which is helping him.”

Redcar = 53

1. Charles Wright = 10+1
2. Jason Edwards = 7+3
3. Erik Riss = 12
4. Kasper Andersen = 5+1
5. Lewis Kerr = 13
6. Kyle Bickley = 0
7. Jordan Jenkins = 7+1

Berwick = 37

1. Chris Harris = 8+1
2. Theo Pijper = 5
3. Jye Etheridge = 5+1
4. Ricky Wells = 2+1
5. Leon Flint = 7
6. Jonas Knudsen = 8
7. Nathan Stoneman = 2+1

Redcar’s new signing Kyle Bickley believes it’s time to kick on as a Bear as the former Berwick starlet aims to prove a point against his former side tomorrow evening. The “Agilia” Bears take on the Berwick Bandits at the Ecco Arena this Friday with tapes up at 19:30.

The new signing said, “It’s time to kick on personally, I’m now a Redcar rider and I want to help the team push up the league and progress as far as possible in the KO Cup.”

The former Glasgow rider believes having the Ecco Arena as his home circuit will improve his Redcar form, “Redcar is a great track, you can pass around Redcar and you have a slight advantage as a home rider. Hopefully, I’ll be good around Redcar for a few points for the club!”

The former Berwick Bandit also played down any hard feelings with the Bandits management after his recent release from the club, “I don’t have any hard feelings towards Berwick, it’s just speedway at the end of the day. It would be nice, however, to go out and score a few points and prove a point! I have been having some bike problems but I am hoping they are now in the past.”

The host are at full strength as they welcome the aforementioned Bickley into the declared 1-7 whilst Berwick are also at full strength. Chris Harris, a potent visitor around the Ecco Arena, leads the side whilst Nathan Stoneman makes his second visit of the season to Redcar after an impressive performance whilst riding for Oxford earlier this season.

Fans are also reminded that if you are unable to attend the Ecco Arena you can follow the meeting at the club’s official Twitter page or purchase a live stream pass for £11.99 at www.redcar-speedway.tv.

Redcar Agilia Bears
1 Charles Wright 9.19 (Captain)
2 Jason Edwards 4.28
3 Erik Riss            8.18
4 Kasper Andersen 4.97
5 Lewis Kerr         7.47
6 Kyle Bickley 3.42
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.72
TM Jade Mudgway

Berwick FTS bandits powered by Keenwood Karpets
1 Chris Harris 9.26 C
2 Theo Pijper 5.51
5 Jye Etheridge 6.64
4 Ricky Wells 7.09
5 Leon Flint 6.96
6 Jonas Knudsen 5.00
7 Nathan Stoneman 2.17
TM Gary Flint

Today, the Redcar Agilia Bears’ promotion received the exciting news that they will be staging the 2022 British Under 19 Final. The prestigious event, which will see a British Champion crowned at the Ecco arena, will take place on Thursday the 21st of July at 7.30pm.

Promoter Jamie Swales told us, “I’m very excited to have been handed the chance to stage such an important event. Jade and I applied for the final after Newcastle’s withdrawal from the league left us with an empty week. As the Ecco arena is such a fair track that always produces great racing it will give the very best of our British youth a great stage to perform on, allowing them to race hard and to showcase their talent. I’m expecting an epic British Under 19 Final and we can’t wait!”

The 16 rider line up is packed full of riders who are capable of taking the title and have plenty of experience of the Ecco Arena. One thing that is certain, is that 2022 will see a new champion crowned, as 2021 winner and three times title holder Drew Kemp is no longer eligible to race in the competition due to his age.

Nathan Ablitt – Poole and Belle Vue Colts

Leon Flint – Wolverhampton and Berwick

Vinnie Foord – Leicester Cubs

Archie Freeman – Belle Vue Colts

Sam Hagon – Oxford Chargers

Freddy Hodder – Belle Vue Colts

Elliot Kelly – Armadale Devils

Luke Kileen – Oxford Chargers

Harry McGurk – Plymouth and Belle Vue Colts

Sam McGurk – Belle Vue Colts

Jake Mulford – Belle Vue Colts

Max Perry – Leicester Cubs

Ace Pijper – Berwick Bullets

Dan Thompson – Leicester Lions and Cubs

Joe Thompson – Leicester Lions and Cubs

Ben Trigger – Plymouth Centurions

The Redcar Agilia Bears have moved to bring in highly rated youngster Kyle Bickley. It’s a signing a decade in the waiting as he returns home to the track he spent most of his youth at, as the mascot. Kyle comes into the side this Friday in a crucial league match facing the Berwick Bandits, the club who released him a few weeks ago in a team shuffle.

Swales said “I’m excited to be able to bring Kyle into the side, I first worked with him way back in 2012 when I started running the Northern Junior League, and I’ve tracked his progress ever since. Unfortunately, the timing has never been right to bring him back to Redcar, until now and I’m looking forward to working with him again and helping him progress his career further”.

The unfortunate rider to make way for Kyle is Adam Roynon. Adam has given his full effort this season, but has really failed to find his feet, and the results have been far from what both the club and Adam expected at the start of the year. We would like to thank Adam and wish him well for the rest of the season, we hope to see him back here very soon.

Redcar suffered a heavy 57-33 away defeat to a strong Tigers side at Ashfield as the visitors failed to gain valuable away points in the battle for the play-offs. Charles Wright top scored for Redcar with paid 11 whilst Craig Cook returned from injury with a brilliant 15 point maximum for Glasgow.

Cook began the meeting by getting the better of a game Jason Edwards. Edwards led the Cumbrian until the final bend when the Glasgow man passed Edwards for the win and with Hume in third ahead of Wright, Glasgow set the tone for the evening.

Glasgow extended their early advantage to 6 as their reserve pairing of Connor Bailey and Broc Nicol got the better of Adam Roynon and Jordan Jenkins in comfortable fashion. Redcar’s woes worsened in heat 3 as the pairing of Ulrich Ostergaard and Ben Basso both passed Erik Riss to gain Glasgow’s 3rd heat advantage in a row.

After a heat 4 Glasgow 4-2, Redcar packed the minor placings in heat 5 to limit any further early damage. The early stages of heat 6 saw Lewis Kerr lead until both Tigers usurped the testimonial man. With Cook away and gone, Kerr managed to re-pass Danyon Hume to claim second.

With the home lead standing at 14 after a shared 7th heat the hosts hit another damaging 5-1 in heat 8 to compound the visitor’s misery. Another Glasgow 5-1 followed with Basso and Ostergaard both passing Kerr to put Glasgow into a startling 38-16 advantage.

Redcar recorded their first heat winner and their first heat advantage in heat 11 as Wright picked up the win and the club captain was backed up by Edwards in third to give the away support something to cheer.

Jade Mudgway used his tactical substitute in heat 12 and the away contingent had further reason to cheer with a 5-1 advantage courtesy of Wright and Riss. Glasgow returned the favour in heat 13 as Cook continued his faultless evening with a win whilst Tom Brennan took second ahead of Wright.

A crazy heat 14 saw Basso scrape the air fence to pass his teammate Nicol and Jenkins on the opening lap. The hard charging Dane then set after Kasper Andersen and the Glasgow man passed his compatriot on the outside on B2 L3. Basso continued using the outside in the final stages of the penultimate lap which led to the Dane colliding with the air fence which handed Andersen the win.

Cook completed his full maximum in heat 15 with a comfortable tapes to flag win and with Brennan getting the better of Riss on the final lap, the Tigers rounded off an impressive night with another heat advantage.

Redcar team manager Jade Mudgway was not happy with the performance and his side’s slow start, “We didn’t have a heat winner until heat 11 and you can’t win meetings without winning races. I can’t point the finger at one particular rider for not doing their job tonight, the whole team didn’t perform as a collective unit. I take full responsibility as much as anyone.”

Mudgway knows his side needs to improve their slow starts, especially away from home, “We are aware that we are starting meetings slowly away from home. We have tried to work on this but so far it hasn’t worked but we will keep trying to improve.”

Mudgway also believes Jason Edwards was the shining light for the Bears, “Jason was the standout for us tonight, he rode fantastically well in heat 1 until Craig Cook got the better of him on the last bend. Jason’s move into the main body hasn’t seemed to phase him, he just makes starts and rides hard.”

Glasgow Tigers = 57

1. Craig Cook= 15
2. Danyon Hume = 6+2
3. Ulrich Ostergaard = 9+1
4. Benjamin Basso = 5+1
5. Tom Brennan = 9+1
6. Broc Nicol = 4+1
7. Connor Bailey = 9

Redcar Bears = 33

1. Charles Wright = 10+1
2. Jason Edwards = 6
3. Erik Riss = 6+1
4. Kasper Andersen = 4+1
5. Lewis Kerr = 5
6. Adam Roynon = 1
7. Jordan Jenkins = 1

Redcar’s newest reserve, Adam Roynon believes Redcar can set the cat amongst the pigeons at Glasgow this evening, (19:30 start at Ashfield) as the Bears go in search of more league points to secure an end of season play-off berth.

The Cumbrian said, “We can absolutely do the business at Glasgow and set the cat amongst the pigeons. I spoke to a group of Glasgow fans on Zoom this week and I said we can potentially go to Ashfield and do what Poole did to us at home and take all 4 league points! I really believe we can go away from home to a big club and take the honours.”

The three time Bear drops to reserve this month due to the new greensheet averages with Jason Edwards moving into the number 2 berth after his scintillating start to the 2022 season.

Roynon also dismissed that his side will gain any confidence from the recent up and down form of Glasgow’s number 1, Craig Cook. “Craig can come out and score a 15 point maximum if the right Craig Cook turns up. Additionally, our boys will have to be on top of their game to match him or beat him.”

The former Coventry star believes winning at the 2021 SGB Championship runners up will take a real team effort, “It takes 7 riders to win a meeting and admittedly, that is a problem we have been having so far this season. We all must remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day but I do believe when we all hit form we will be very tough to beat home and away.”

The Tigers, who currently sit 3rd in the table, 7 points ahead of the Bears are at full strength for the clash with Craig Cook returning to the saddle after his frightening heat 1 crash with Nick Morris at Ashfield seven days ago. Redcar are also at full strength for the league clash as they welcome back Kasper Andersen who missed last week’s challenge fixture against the Diamonds due to a Danish commitment.

Glasgow Tigers

1 Craig Cook 8.44
2 Danyon Hume 5.77
3 Ulrich Ostergaard 6.90 ©
4 Benjamin Basso 7.12
5 Tom Brennan 6.88
6 Broc Nicol 5.09
7 Connor Bailey 5.02
TM – Cami Brown.

Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1 Charles Wright 9.19 (C)
2 Jason Edwards 4.28
3 Erik Riss 8.18
4 Kasper Andersen 4.97
5 Lewis Kerr 7.47
6 Adam Roynon 3.00
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.72
TM Jade Mudgway