Category: Bears News

The Redcar “Agilia” Bears stormed to an opening night success as they dominated the Newcastle Diamonds with a 60-29 Tyne-Tees Trophy success in front of a large audience at the Ecco Arena. The Bears were fantastic from start to finish and fully deserved the spoils as they flew from the tapes to dismantle the Diamonds in the first leg.

The 2019 KO Cup winners started 2022 in the perfect way with back to back 5-1’s in the opening 2 races. Gating was the key in the early knockings as Charles Wright and Adam Roynon combined to set the tone. The third heat saw Newcastle show some fight with the impressive Max Clegg holding off a strong challenge from Kasper Andersen to claim second for the Diamonds with Lewis Kerr unchallenged at the front. The first Newcastle heat winner of the evening came from their skipper, James Wright who made Erik Riss pay for missing the gate to take a comfortable win but with George Congreve at the back the Diamonds could not put a dent into the 10 point lead the Bears had already amassed. .

Redcar heat advantages were the order of the day and two more followed in heats 5 and 6 respectively with the smooth starting Lewis Kerr and Charles Wright taking tapes to flag wins. Heat 6 saw the race of the night with Matthew Wethers using the outside dirt to hold off an intelligent challenge from the impressive Adam Roynon who was intent on riding the inside but ultimately, the Cumbrian could not make the pass. 

Heading into heat 9 the Bears held a 18 point lead and Lewis Kerr helped make that 20 against his former side with another impressive win. In the battle for second Lee Complin showed why he has returned to speedway after a decade out as he held off a strong outside challenge from Kasper Andersen. 

Adam Roynon finished off an impressive opening nights work by riding shotgun for his brilliant skipper Charles Wright as the pair combined for a 5-1 to send the Teessiders into a 24 point lead. 

Heat 12 saw Newcastle’s only heat advantage of the night with a match race. Lee Complin hit the fence when trying to find grip on the outside and thus was excluded from the re-run. Jordan Jenkins then touched the tapes in the second staging and to further complicate matters, Lewis Kerr was not under power at the time of the stoppage which saw Jade Mudgway replace Jenkins with his reserve partner Jason Edwards for a match race against James Wright. Edwards rode a brilliant race, blocking the Newcastle skippers move for 3 laps until a change in strategy from the 35 year old saw him take the spoils with a clever inside move on the young Bears reserve. 

Matches can be won and lost in heats 13 and 15 and if tonight is anything to go by the Bears fans are in for a good season as Wright and Riss combined beautifully for 2 5-1’s to cap off a brilliant opening night with the Bears taking a 31 point lead up to Newcastle for the second leg in early April. 

Newcastle skipper James Wright was philosophical about the evening, “We knew tonight was going to be tough, Redcar are a good, solid team with probably the best 3 heat leaders in the league. It’s good to get this meeting out of the way but the result was not the best. Lee Complin went really well tonight and a lot better than I expected..”

The former Sheffield man was encouraged by his personal performance, “I managed to get a couple of wins under my belt, I felt pretty quick all night and 8 points is a good solid return for me.”

Redcar team boss Jade Mudgway was delighted with the performance he saw from his septet, “It was a great day all round, the riders got stuck in and they reaped the rewards with the result. I thought the reserves were fantastic, Jordan was not happy but I don’t know what he’s worried about, he scored paid 10 and that’s a great night! I’m also really pleased with Jason, he showed a lot of determination in heat 12 despite not getting the win. I’m really pleased with our reserves!”

The Kiwi also offered encouragement for the Diamonds, “I was impressed with George Congreve, he was on the pace and with time I’m sure he will come good whilst Lee Complin was all-effort. I think Newcastle will get stronger as the season progresses.”

Redcar = 60

1. Charles Wright = 13+2 PAID MAX

2. Adam Roynon = 7+1

3. Lewis Kerr = 9

4. Kasper Andersen = 6+1

5. Erik Riss = 13+1

6. Jason Edwards = 4+1

7. Jordan Jenkins = 8+2

Newcastle = 29

1. Bradley Wilson-Dean = 3+1

2. Matthew Wethers = 7

3. James Wright = 8

4. Max Clegg = 8+1

5. Paul Starke R/R 

6. Lee Complin = 3

7. George Congreve = 0

Redcar’s newest recruit Adam Roynon cannot wait to resume his Bears career against Newcastle on Friday, (19:30 start) after re-joining the club in the winter as he hailed his new side as “a great team”.

The Cumbrian is in good spirits ahead of the Tyne-Tees trophy battle, “I’m more than looking forward to getting started. The team is a proper side and everything at Redcar is a welcome change from what I have experienced in the last few years, this club is going places and it’s up to the 7 riders to continue that upward trajectory.”

Roynon also believes that there is already a positive team spirit developing within the camp, “At the press and practice weekend we all had a good laugh, there’s no ego’s within the side, everyone is gelling well and Redcar is a happy place to be. 2022 is going to be a great season and that will all start on Friday.”

The former Newcastle Diamond believes Redcar have been underestimated in certain quarters ahead of the eagerly anticipated season, “Absolutely, each rider has the potential to increase their average and even if we maintain our averages I believe that will mean we have a winning team come October but there’s a lot of racing before then.”

The 33 year old does not believe previous club associations are important for the future with his first fixture coming against his last employers, Newcastle, “It doesn’t matter to me which team I am racing against, I’m there to do a job for my current team which is Redcar and anything that has happened in the past is just experienced that I have gained which I can put into practice for Redcar.”

Newcastle come into the clash with new 2022 recruits including the returning Lee Complin to British Speedway after 10 years out of the saddle. The Diamonds have also signed Bradley Wilson-Dean as their number 1 whilst they also welcome a newcomer to British Speedway in the form of George Congreve. The Diamonds have retained the services of Max Clegg, Matthew Wethers and James Wright whilst they also welcome Paul Starke into the side who has previously shown a liking to The ECCO Arena track.

The Bears welcome back 6 of their septet for their respective spells in Bears colours whilst club bosses also welcome Jason Edwards to the club for his first spell as a Redcar rider. The Bears are the current holders of the Tyne-Tees trophy after a 97-82 aggregate win back in 2019. Remarkably, from the 2 sides who competed for the trophy 24 months ago only 2 riders still line up for their respective teams in the form of Charles Wright and Matthew Wethers!

Redcar Agilia Bears.

1 Charles Wright. 8.37 Captain
2 Adam Roynon 5.08
3 Lewis Kerr 7.47
4 Kasper Andersen 5.87
5 Erik Riss 7.84
6 Jason Edwards 2.16
7 Jordan Jenkins 3.61

TM Jade Mudgway

Newcastle Advance Fire and Security Diamonds in Association with SecuriCorp

1 Bradley Wilson Dean. 8.21
2 Matthew Wethers 6.47
3 James Wright. 5.07 (C)
4 Max Clegg 5.27
5 Paul Starke 6,11
6 Lee Complin 4.00
7 George Congreve 4.00

Team manager Steve Pate

Redcar Speedway is delighted to reveal a new deal has been reached with Medics UK which allows an additional ambulance to attend all meetings at The ECCO Arena in 2022.

A second ambulance should see an end to the majority of long delays caused by riders needing medical treatment.

Promoter Jamie Swales said “The team at Redcar speedway are always looking at ways to move the club forward. We have listened to the fans and we feel their pain when it comes to delays during meetings.”

“Obviously not every delay can be avoided and if serious injuries were to occur to a rider we would fully understand that all the available medical resource would be needed to deal with it.”

“We can’t thank Medics Uk enough for their help with this, they have been our paramedic cover for along time now and are as keen as us to add to the service.”

7:30pm this Friday (25th) sees tapes up on a new home campaign at the freshly-named stadium as the Redcar Agilia Bears take on the Newcastle Diamonds in the first leg of the Tyne-Tees Trophy.

For the first meeting of the season on 25^th March against Newcastle we are holding a Fans night in The Bruce Forrester Lounge. This will include seating on the balcony and use of the lounge, a meeting programme, a drink from the bar and a full buffet. The cost for this will be £12 on top of your usual stadium entrance, payable in the lounge.

It will be on a strictly first come first served basis

Anyone interested can you contact Ian Drinkel on indrinkel@msn.com or 07827293866

Jason Edwards believes 2022 is the season he stamps his mark on British Speedway with Redcar after agreeing a deal to partner Jordan Jenkins at reserve for the Teessiders in 2022. The youngster has also set an ambitious target by declaring, “I want to be in the main body by the end of the season, that’s my ultimate aim!”

Edwards also rides for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers in the National Development league but the Essex based starlet suffered a disrupted 2021 campaign. The new Redcar reserve was the unfortunate victim of the numbers game when he was dropped by both Eastbourne and Plymouth despite doing very little wrong, especially in Gladiators colours.

Despite these setbacks, the likeable 19 year old did enjoy a strong end to the year with a handful of guest bookings for the Edinburgh Monarchs whilst he claimed the National League title with Mildenhall alongside his new Redcar reserve Jordan Jenkins. Edwards spoke of his excitement at this chance, “I visited Redcar on many occasions last season and it’s a track I look forward to racing. The track is always prepared brilliantly, there are lots of great people around the club and I’m happy to have been given the opportunity to join Redcar this season. Finally, I have always said you want to ride at the tracks you enjoy the most and Redcar definitely ticks that box for me.”

The aforementioned guest bookings helped Edinburgh to the play-off semi-finals, coincidentally at the expense of the Bears! Remarkably, Edwards hit paid 20 across 4 high pressure play-off encounters and if the former Gladiator can replicate this form for Redcar the fans are in for a treat! Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales has described the acquisition of Edwards as “a steal on his average” and the former rider turned promoter is sure to be proved right, especially if Edwards late season form is anything to go by!

Redcar team manager Jade Mudgway revealed that Edwards’ attitude was a factor in bringing him to Redcar, “Jason (Edwards) really impressed me with his attitude when he guested for us at Birmingham. After that night I decided I wanted him in the team for 2022 and both of our reserves have potential which is exciting.”

Edwards also believes that with the STMP being a purpose built speedway arena, he can get as much practise time as possible to progress his career as quickly as possible, “With a lot of tracks they have greyhound racing but the STMP is purpose built and the club are always running training days and amateur meetings so being here will offer me more of these opportunities to take my career to the next level.”

The 2022 season will start on Sunday 13th March when the club host their official Press and Practice day.

With the Tyne-Tees Trophy season opener on Friday 25th March looming, the day offers a first chance for the riders and management to meet this year.

The Redcar Agilia Bears will take part in their annual media duties before taking to the track around 2pm.

Gates will be opened up to members of the public at 2pm for the chance to grab a glance of the 2022 stars, with donation buckets available on entry. Collections will be taken on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal (https://www.dec.org.uk/)

Following the day, fans will be welcomed to a Meet the Riders evening in the Bears Bar, again with donation encouraged on entry. Doors will open at 6pm

Redcar Speedway are excited to announce a new name for the South Tees Motorsports Park.
Friday nights will now be spent under the lights of The ECCO Arena, after longtime sponsor ECCO Finishing Supplies snapped up the opportunity to take over the stadium naming rights.

Promoter Jamie Swales said “For a local business to continue to put their trust in us is beyond amazing. I’m really pleased to get this deal over the line, and Keith Miller from ECCO has been a pleasure to work with”
“It has a great ring to the name, but more importantly this sponsorship helps keep pushing the club in the right direction, supporting us in challenging for more silverware!”

“We are extremely grateful for the support given by Media Prima over the past few years and it’s sad that they have had to step away at this time, but we are hoping they will be in a position to come back on board in some capacity in the near future”

ECCO are the perfect fit for the gap left by Media Prima and director Keith Miller is just as excited to provide extra support to the Bears this year.

He said “ECCO Finishing Supplies have been regular sponsors of the Redcar Bears Speedway Team for several years now, to have our name associated now as the Main Stadium sponsors is great news for us as a local business. We are looking forward to welcoming speedway fans from all over the UK to The ECCO Arena”

Redcar are set to take on close rivals Newcastle Diamonds in the traditional season opener battle for the Tyne Tees trophy on Friday 25th March, 7:30pm tapes up.

We welcome back another partner sponsor to continue backing the Bears this coming season in the shape of Ecco Finishing Supplies!

Established in 1995, Ecco is a global specialist in the supply and manufacture of surface preparation and coating equipment. We deliver efficient, professional, cost effective products into the oil and gas, offshore renewables, automotive, construction, and manufacturing industries.

The 2022 season will see a well-known name return to British Speedway, as the Teesside Tigers are re-introduced to the shale.

Redcar have always been at the forefront of junior racing in the UK and have remarkably found themselves in the envious position of having enough junior riders to enter a second team into the Northern Junior League.

The man entrusted with managing the Teesside Tigers will be former promoter Kevin Keay.
Keay said “I’m really pleased that the club has seen the benefit of fielding a second junior team, all be it a very raw one, but these kids are so keen to get on track and be associated with the Redcar club.”

“The team has four “characters” and I’m sure they will provide plenty of entertainment on track and I look forward to seeing them progress from week to week.”

The team will consist of last year’s Cubs Edward Davison and Laylen Richardson, with new signings, Cooper Rushen and Dan Mcteer filling the 125cc spaces.

We are delighted to welcome back last year’s newcomers Van Ninja back as partner sponsors for the 2022 season.

Van Ninja, part of the Dawson Group, really embraced their sponsorship role last season, and we can’t wait to continue this partnership moving forward.

Operating on North Tees Industrial Estate in Stockton, Van Ninja are specialists in leasing and sales of commercial vehicles of all sizes. The company has grown rapidly over the last few years thanks to its ability to offer highly competitive prices to its customers.