Category: Bears News

The Media Prima Arena will host the Stuart Robson Farewell meeting in 2022!

Originally planned as the season opener in the curtailed 2020 season, the meeting was cruelly pulled just days before it’s scheduled date due to the cancellation of the speedway season. All riders and sponsors were in place for a celebration of the former Bear’s career.

As yet, there is no confirmed date as Redcar await the official fixture list for 2022, but Stuart has began working behind the scenes to ensure a top meeting!

Robson announced his retirement at the end of the 2018 season, capping off a successful speedway career riding for a handful of British teams including  Lakeside, Newcastle, Redcar and the mighty Middlesbrough!

With an original lineup featuring Sam Masters, Danny King and Craig Cook to name a few, we have every confidence it will be a spectacle and promises to be a great addition to the racing calendar at the South Tees Motorsports Park.

The Redcar Agilia Bears promotion have announced the purchase and 2022 signature of captain Charles Wright and youngster Jordan Jenkins at Saturday’s End of Season Party

Wright has been a key figure in the Bears team the past few seasons, which urged the promotion to approach his previous owners, Poole, to enquire about making him a full asset of the club.

Jenkins joins Wright as a club asset after his purchase from Kent. Both riders were unveiled to a packed crowd as a positive start to the 2022 team building plans.

Full reaction to follow…

BEAR OF THE YEAR ?

❌ It’s that time of year again where we open up the votes for your Redcar Agilia Bear’s Rider Of The Year. Simply fill in the form below to cast your vote.

⏳Voting closes at 10pm on Thursday 28th October so you don’t have long!

Cast your vote here

Lewis Kerr was the 2021 winner of the Teesside Silver Helmet as he took the crown in an exciting encounter at the Media Prima Arena. Kerr was joined on the podium by Redcar’s Charles Wright and Leicester’s Kyle Howarth.

Paul Starke opened up with a win in heat 1 with Kerr in second as the Kent man made the perfect start only to be hampered with bike problems later in the meeting. Heat 2 saw Chris Harris Open up his account with a fine win whilst Norick Blödorn swooped past Josh MacDonald to take 2nd in an impressive opening race for the German youngster.

Howarth and Wright both made their claims for the title during the early knockings as they took wins in heats 3&4. The seventh race of Redcar’s season finale saw Erik Riss take the win from his Birmingham teammate Chris Harris whilst Kerr suffered engine problems and was forced to retire from the race. Next, we saw a special moment as Aaron Summers won his final race on British soil in heat 8, we wish Aaron all the best as he heads back to Australia with his young family.

Kerr continued to add to his tally in heat 11 as he took second behind his Bears teammate Wright who was looking unstoppable throughout qualifying. Kerr, Luke Becker and Jake Allen confirmed their places in the semi-final with wins in 19,16&14 respectively whilst Kyle Howarth continued on his merry way to the final with a heat 17 win. Chris Harris suffered a vital engine failure in heat 18 which ultimately scuppered his chances of finishing in the top two.

The final qualification race saw arguably the race of the night as live stream favourite Norick Blödorn went toe to toe with Charles Wright for four laps as the German ended an impressive debut evening with second and a respectable 7 point haul.

After 20 races Wright and Howarth finished in the top 2 and thus directly qualified for the final which meant the semi-final lineup read Redcar’s Jake Allen, Lewis Kerr, Berwick’s newest acquisition Chris Harris and the USA’s Luke Becker. Kerr made another jet propelled gate to roar home for a comfortable win whilst Chris Harris could not get the better of Luke Becker as the Redcar debutant also secured his place in the grand final.

The first staging of the final saw Becker come to grief on the opening bends with his machinery damaged but the referee invited all 4 riders back in the re-run, much to the delight of the Redcar crowd! Becker came to the tapes on new machinery but Kerr made another fantastic gate to take the win despite Wright pushing him hard all the way with Kyle Howarth topping off the podium in 3rd.

Kerr was understandably delighted to take the win, “Tonight was brilliant, we had to dig deep early on after my retirement as I was only on 4 points after 3 rides but we kept going to get through to the semi-finals. I couldn’t believe my luck when they left me gate 3 in the final, I felt fast tonight and I’m chuffed!”

Kerr also staked his claim to continue his Redcar career next season, “I’d love to return to Redcar in 2022, since I’ve joined it’s been a dream and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!”

Tonight’s well attended meeting was Ben Duffill’s last ever meeting as Redcar promoter, Duffill has worked tirelessly to serve his club as team manager and promoter over the last 12 years and everyone connected with the club sends their sincere best wishes to Ben for his next chapter in life.

Teesside Silver Helmet

1. Paul Starke = 7
2. Zaine Kennedy = 6
3. Lewis Kerr = 10 WINNER
4. Aaron Summers = 6
5. Norick Blödorn = 7
6. Ty Proctor = 0
7. Chris Harris = 10
8. Josh MacDonald = 3
9. Luke Becker = 10 4TH
10. Kyle Howarth = 11 3RD
11. Jake Allen = 10
12. Jye Etheridge = 1
13. Simon Lambert = 7
14. Charles Wright = 15 2ND
15. Erik Riss = 10
16. Leon Flint = 6
17. Elliot Kelly = 0
18. Alex Goldsborough = 1

Josh MacDonald is ready to bring the curtain down on his 2021 British season as he competes in the Teesside Silver Helmet tomorrow evening at the Media Prima Arena, (19:30 start).

MacDonald has competed in both of the open meetings held at Redcar this season due to the likeness he has shown for the circuit, “I’m a really big fan of the track. Everytime I turn up at Redcar I tend to go okay, not brilliant but I think I’m pretty decent around the place!”

The Scunthorpe Scorpion believes his season could have been better, “It hasn’t been the best season for myself, I have put myself in silly situations where I have cost myself points in races but in speedway and in life you never stop learning and you live and learn from your mistakes.”

The likeable Aussie also revealed he has struggled with injury this season, “I have probably rode half of the season with a shoulder problem and a broken wrist which hasn’t made things ideal!”

The former Sheffield man is impressed with the lineup the Bears promotion have put together, “I saw the lineup the other evening and I thought wow but I’m going to go out there with every intention of getting as far as I can and you never know what might happen on the night. It would be awesome to make the final!”

The meeting is sure to be a close, entertaining encounter with MacDonald joined by his compatriot Jake Allen whilst other challengers for the title include, (but are not limited to!) Charles Wright, Chris Harris, Erik Riss and Luke Becker.

Fans who cannot attend are encouraged to purchase the live stream for £9.99 at www.redcar-speedway.com/tv

British newcomer Norick Blödorn is ready to impress the Redcar faithful as he makes his speedway bow in Britain at the Media Prima Arena this evening, (19:30 start).

Blödorn has been waiting for his British chance and he believes the longest running individual meeting in speedway is the ideal place to start, “I have always wanted to come to Great Britain for racing and now I have got the opportunity and I think it is very good for me to start with an open meeting.”

The German youngster would like the opportunity to race on these shores, “I really would like to race in the British league. However, the only problem I have is that I have a contract in the Polish League so I can only ride in two more leagues but you never know what the future may bring and riding in these meetings is very important to gain more experience of different tracks.”

Blödorn also represented Germany at the Speedway Of Nations but he is under no illusions about the level of competition, “Friday will be my first meeting in England so I just want to enjoy the racing. I believe it will also be a completely new experience and I am really looking forward to it but you can be sure I will try my best!”

The 85cc 2018 World Cup winner does not believe UK tracks will be an issue for him, “The tracks are a lot different compared to Poland and Germany. However, I do not think it will be a big deal for me but I also don’t know what I should expect from myself at the Silver Helmet!”

The lineup that has been assembled by the Redcar promotion is a fantastic one with stories everywhere you look! From Chris Harris looking to add to his title haul to Ty Proctor looking to reinvigorate his career there is plenty to look forward to at the Media Prima Arena this evening.

The American ace Luke Becker makes his Media Prima Arena debut as he makes an extremely rare appearance on a Championship track whilst the dangerous Leon Flint comes into the lineup for Ben Barker. Another change sees Leicester’s Zaine Kennedy replace Jordan Jenkins whilst Erik Riss makes a welcome return to Redcar.

3 Bears (Charles Wright, Lewis Kerr and Jake Allen) are represented in the lineup and they are sure to receive strong home support from the vociferous Redcar fans. Interestingly, the last Redcar winner of the meeting was the Bears skipper Charles Wright back in 2017 in what was his second Redcar spell, another of tonight’s competitors, Aaron Summers finished runner-up on that occasion.

The 2021 winner will take over the crown from Sam Masters who won the event back in 2018 with the 2019 meeting being cancelled due to rain on the night.

Fans who cannot attend the event are encouraged to live stream the event for £9.99 at www.redcar-speedway.com/tv

1 Paul Starke (Ipswich & Kent)
2 Zaine Kennedy (Leicester)
3 Lewis Kerr (Kings Lynn & Redcar)
4 Aaron Summers (Berwick)
5 Norick Blödorn (Unattached)
6 Ty Proctor (Unattached)
7 Chris Harris (Peterborough & Birmingham)
8 Josh MacDonald (Scunthorpe)
9 Luke Becker (Wolverhampton)
10 Kyle Howarth (Sheffield & Leicester)
11 Jake Allen (Ipswich & Redcar)
12 Jye Etheridge (Belle Vue & Berwick)
13 Simon Lambert (Scunthorpe)
14 Charles Wright (Belle Vue & Redcar)
15 Erik Riss (Kings Lynn & Birmingham)
16 Leon Flint (Berwick & Wolverhampton)

The Teesside Silver Helmet takes place this Friday night at the Media Prima Arena, and we can now announce what we believe is the strongest ever lineup, containing 4 Bears and 2 Redcar debutants in American star Luke Becker and exciting German teen Norick Blödorn.

Many thanks to Agilia for sponsoring the meeting, and ECCO for sponsoring the Best race Celebration competition (can anyone finally take this prize away for Ben Barker?).

1 Paul Starke (Ipswich & Kent)
2 Jordan Jenkins (Redcar & Mildenhall)
3 Lewis Kerr (Kings Lynn & Redcar)
4 Aaron Summers (Berwick)
5 Norick Blödorn (Unattached)
6 Ty Proctor (Unattached)
7 Chris Harris (Peterborough & Birmingham)
8 Josh MacDonald (Scunthorpe)
9 Luke Becker (Wolverhampton)
10 Kyle Howarth (Sheffield & Leicester)
11 Jake Allen (Ipswich & Redcar)
12 Jye Etheridge (Belle Vue & Berwick)
13 Simon Lambert (Scunthorpe)
14 Charles Wright (Belle Vue & Redcar)
15 Erik Riss (Kings Lynn & Birmingham)
16 Ben Barker (Kings Lynn & Newcastle)

Tickets availaable here: http://www.redcar-speedway.com/tickets/

Stream available here: http://www.redcar-speedway.com/tv/

We are sad to report that one of our former riders, Derek Close, recently passed away.

He was part of the team that became National League Division 2 champions in 1947, and also rode for us the following season. He also rode in the 1952 World Final held at Wembley Stadium.

His son Nigel also rode for us between 1976 and 1978.

We send our condolences to all Derek’s family and friends at this sad time.

Redcar’s Championship run came to an end after the Edinburgh Monarchs dominated the second leg of the play-off quarter final to book a date against Glasgow in the semi-finals. Redcar failed to pressure the Monarchs as they could only boast three heat advantages throughout the second leg with the final score reading 33-57 with an aggregate score of 73-108.

Redcar actually started the meeting with a heat advantage with Charles Wright taking the win with Jordan Jenkins in third after Sam Masters fell in the original staging of heat 1. Unfortunately this was as good as it got for the Bears as Edinburgh racked up the heat advantages to defeat a depleted Redcar side. Redcar were hampered by a visibly struggling Palm-Toft who was clearly struggling with his finger injury as he only completed 3 races.

With rider replacement already in operation for James Sarjeant and Palm-Toft being forced to withdraw this left Redcar’s team manager with no other option than to use Jenkins and Kinsley 12 times out of a maximum of 14 which limited the Bears chances further.

3 heat advantage in succession in heats 2,3 and 4 set the Monarchs on their way as they stormed into an 8 point lead on the night. Heat 7 saw some drama as Jake Allen tangled with Richie Worrall coming out of bend 2 and to the astonishment of many inside Armadale Allen was deemed to be at fault and thus he was excluded from the re-run. This left Palm-Toft as the lone Bear against the in-form pairing of Drew Kemp and Richie Worrall. Kemp and Worrall roared from the gate to take another 5-1 to send Edinburgh into a 12 point lead.

Heat 13 saw Redcar’s next heat advantage as one of Redcar’s bright sparks, Lewis Kerr took the win with Wright pipping Masters on the line for a Bears 4-2. Heat 15 saw a fantastic race as Redcar ended their league season with a heat advantage as Kerr stormed from the gate to win with Jake Allen edging out Jason Edwards to take 3rd.

Edinburgh were impressive throughout both legs with Drew Kemp hitting a paid maximum whilst Josh Pickering and Richie Worrall both scored double figures.

Edinburgh What The Fork Monarchs = 57 (108)

1. Sam Masters – FX, 3, 3, 0 = 6
2. Anders Rowe – 2, 0, 3, 1 = 6
3. Kye Thomson – 3, 1′, 1, 2 = 7+1
4. Josh Pickering – 2′, 2, 3, 3, 2 = 12+1
5. Richie Worrall – 3, 2′, 3, 2, X = 10+1
6. Drew Kemp – 2′, 3, 2′, 2′ = 9+3
7. Jason Edwards (G) – 3, 1, 2′, 1′, 0 = 7+2

Redcar Agilia Bears = 33 (72)

1. Charles Wright – 3, 3, 1, 1 = 8
2. James Sarjeant R/R
3. Jake Allen – 1, FX, 2, 3, 1 = 7
4. Michael Palm Toft – 0, 1, F = 1
5. Lewis Kerr – 2, 2, 2, 3, 3 = 12
6. Ryan Kinsley – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Jordan Jenkins – 1, 1, 0, 1′, 1, 0, 1 = 5+1
8. Gregor Millar – DNR

Redcar’s rising star Jordan Jenkins is ready to upset the applecart as Redcar fight to avoid play-off elimination in the rearranged second leg at Armadale this Tuesday, (19:30 start). Jenkins believes the Bears have the right mindset to take it to the Monarchs, “We can go up there with the pressure on them as we have everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

The second leg was originally set for last Friday evening but James Sarjeant had a frightening season ending crash in heat 1 which means the teams go again this evening.

Jenkins is disappointed that the former Monarchs man is out for the rest of the campaign, “I’m gutted that James got injured but it’s one of those things and it was nobody’s fault but thank god for air fences as without the air fence it could’ve been much worse.”

Jenkins believes it is mission possible for the Bears, “Edinburgh are a good side, especially at home but they have lost at home this season so pulling it back is definitely achievable for us.”

Jenkins is also hopeful he can contribute well to the minimum 51 points Redcar need on the night, “I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself but I surpassed my expectations when I rode there at the start of the season in my first meeting for Redcar (Jenkins scored paid 5) and there’s no reason why I can’t perform well again to help the team reach the semi-finals.”

Redcar are hopeful that Michael Palm-Toft is fit for battle as he continues to nurse the hand injury he suffered during the Premiership play-off semi final whilst the Bears run rider replacement for the stricken Sarjeant. Edinburgh lineup with the same septet they tracked on Friday as Jason Edwards continues as guest reserve due to the retirement of Nathan Greaves.

The winners of this quarter final will take on the Glasgow Tigers as Poole elected to take on the winners of the other quarter final between Leicester and Scunthorpe which has also been rearranged for this evening. 

Edinburgh What The Fork Monarchs

1. Sam Masters 9.41 (C)
2. Anders Rowe 4.09
3. Kye Thomson 5.51
4. Josh Pickering 8.34
5. Richie Worrall 7.36
6. Drew Kemp 3*
7. Jason Edwards (G) 3.91

TM : John Campbell

Redcar Agilia Bears. 

1. Charles Wright 8.49 (C)
2. Rider Replacement for James Sarjeant
3. Jake Allen 7.72
4. Michael Palm Toft 7.33
5. Lewis Kerr 7.87
6. Ryan Kinsley 3.00
7. Jordan Jenkins 2*

 TM Jade Mudgway