Category: Bears News

Redcar are hoping to get back to winning ways after their dramatic draw against the Berwick Bandits when they take on the much strengthened, revitalised Kent Kings tonight, (19:30 start) at the Media Prima Arena.

The Bears are looking to close the gap on league leaders Poole by claiming 3 points against the 2021 Championship newcomers. Redcar are currently sat on 35 points after 16 meetings whilst the Poole Pirates hold a 5 point lead on 40 points at the Championship summit. Glasgow are currently sat third in the Championship table on 30 points but the Scottish giants have 3 meetings in hand on the Bears. 

The “Agilia” Bears track the same side from Sunday’s draw against Berwick as Lewis Kerr and Ryan Kinsley will be looking for improved performances as they both make their 2nd appearances as full-time Bears. Much of the outcome of Friday’s meeting will depend on Redcar’s rising star Jordan Jenkins who showed improved form in Redcar’s two weekend fixtures and the Norwich man is excited for another important SGB Championship meeting, “The Kent meeting is going to be a tough meeting for sure as they’ve got a really strong team from 1-7, you’ve just got to look at the likes of Scotty (Nicholls) and Troy (Batchelor). I think that Lewi (Kerr) and Ryan (Kinsley) can settle in and do really well for us. Personally, I’m feeling a lot better since getting my engine sorted and I’d like to say thank you to everyone who supported me whilst I was struggling but I’ve found the problem and I’m keen to kick on now!”

Kent have been scheduled to visit the Media Prima Arena twice already this season but due to inclement weather the meetings were postponed. Since the two postponements the Kings have strengthened their septet considerably with the signings of Troy Batchelor and Jake Mulford. Batchelor is a former Grand Prix star who has had a strong start to Championship life with several maximums for the Kings. Whilst their youngster, Mulford picked up 6 points in the British under 21 final which was held at Redcar and has picked up some good wins for Kent so far, including defeating Nathan Greaves and Kasper Anderson on home shale. His reserve partner for the Kings, Dan Gilkes has been ultra impressive in his 2 visits to Redcar this season, winning the under 21 semi-final whilst he finished an impressive 3rd place in the final which was enough to see him take his rightful place on the podium. Kent are at full strength ahead of the meeting as they look to make an unlikely charge for the 6th position in the league which would be enough to see them qualify for the play-offs.

Redcar Agilia Bears.
1. Charles Wright 8.86 (C)
2. James Sarjeant 4.78
3. Jake Allen 8.15
4 Lewis Kerr 7.48
5. Michael Palm Toft 7.28
6. Ryan Kinsley 3.17
7. Jordan Jenkins 2*
TM Jade Mudgway

Kent TouchTec Kings
1. Troy Batchelor 11.09
2. Ben Morley 4.36
3. Paul Starke 6.65
4. Cameron Heeps 5.38
5. Scott Nicholls 9.33 (C)
6. Jake Mulford 2.00
7. Dan Gilkes 1*
Team Manager Chris Hunt

Redcar were held to a 45-45 all draw at the Media Prima Arena as their top two Championship hopes took a blow on Sunday afternoon. Berwick were led by their rising star and their inspired former Bear Kasper Andersen who rode brilliantly. The aforementioned Bandits scored 22 between them but the Bears never know when they are beaten and Charles Wright and maximum man Michael Palm-Toft saved the day for the Teesside outfit in heat 15.

The first race of an exhilarating afternoon of speedway saw Charles Wright pass Leon Flint at the end of lap 1 and with the Bandits packing the minor places the scores were level. The next two battles saw Berwick take a 4 point lead with back to back 4-2’s with heat 3 seeing Lewis Kerr breaking the tapes and Jordan Jenkins was brought in as his replacement. Jenkins ultimately pushed Jye Etheridge all the way for third whilst Shielfield Park track expert Dany Gappmaier took the win. Palm-Toft pushed past his Danish friend Andersen at the conclusion of the opening lap to take the win.

As is now customary, Redcar had another slow start and by heat 6 Redcar were 6 down as Aaron Summers got the better of Charles Wright whilst Greg Blair impressively got the better of James Sarjeant after making a poor gate. The ninth race of the day saw a glimmer of hope present itself for Redcar as they gated on a 5-1 until Andersen split Allen and the new boy Kerr which limited Redcar to a 4-2 heat advantage. The deficit left Redcar in tactical territory again and heat 11 was the chosen race as Charles Wright replaced the second new signing Ryan Kinsley. Yet again, Palm-Toft continued his brilliant recent form with another win but Wright could not find a way past Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen which gave the Bears their 2nd 4-2 of the day.

As we entered the final stages of another exciting clash Berwick put the proverbial spanner in the works with a heat 12 5-1 as Kasper Andersen continued to haunt his former side and with Etheridge picking up his first paid win, Redcar were in trouble and 8 points down with 3 heats remaining. Redcar yet again had to rely on their Danish star Palm-Toft to deliver the goods and he yet again delivered and with the skipper Wright in second, Redcar moved within 4. Heat 14 saw two exciting battles as Kerr was passed by Andersen and Jordan Jenkins impressively got the better of Gappmaier to keep the Bears hopes alive and yet again we had another last heat decider on our hands.

The final race of the day saw an unbelievable race with Charles Wright away and gone at the front with quite frankly, unbelievable racing happening behind him. Palm-Toft, desperate to salvage a result for the Bears, hugged the kerb for most of the race whilst the fantastic Leon Flint rode the boards and looked set to grab 2nd place for the majority of the race. As we entered the final bend, Palm-Toft left the kerb to try and block the run of Flint but Flint lost control as he hit the fence with his machinery ending up on the centre green which gave the Bears the 5-1 they needed for a draw! Flint was absolutely devastated and remained on all fours in disbelief at the end of a super, scintillating speedway meeting. You know it’s been an unbelievable meeting when you don’t know the match result

Berwick’s Kasper Andersen was chuffed with his day’s work, “I’m quite happy with my efforts, I would’ve liked some points in heat 15 but overall it’s been a great day! 2 away points is better than none but today we proved that we can mix it with the best teams of the league. Redcar are really strong at home and if they can keep going they stand a good chance in the play-offs.”

The maximum man, Michael Palm-Toft was delighted with his Sunday, “I think we were slightly unlucky as we had a couple of tapes exclusions which cost us overall. We also have a couple of new signings who will need time to settle in at home but it is what it is and when they settle in we will have a solid side. I would’ve liked a full maximum but it is always nice to hit a maximum! I would also like to mention that Jordan Jenkins is on his way back, he has had some machinery issues recently which knocked his confidence but he is on his way back now and I’m trying to give him a hand in the pits.”

Redcar Bears = 45

1. Charles Wright = 14+1

2. James Sarjeant = 0

3. Jake Allen = 7+1

4. Lewis Kerr = 5

5. Michael Palm Toft = 14+1

6. Ryan Kinsley = 0

7. Jordan Jenkins = 5+1

Berwick Bandits = 45

1. Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen = 3+1

2. Leon Flint = 8

3. Jye Etheridge = 6+2

4. Dany Gappmaier = 6+1

5. Aaron Summers = 5+1

6. Kasper Andersen = 14

7. Greg Blair (G) = 3

Redcar begin their charge towards a top two Championship finish this afternoon, (14:00 start) as they entertain the Berwick Bandits at the Media Prima Arena. Redcar have bolstered their septet with the exciting signings of Ryan Kinsley and Lewis Kerr. Kinsley rides for the Kent Royals in the National League and had a successful 2019 campaign at Scunthorpe whilst Kerr joins the Bears after the sad withdrawal of Eastbourne. Kerr has previously expressed his liking for the Media Prima Arena circuit and he will be looking to start with a bang against the Bandits. 

Redcar will be focused on starting the meeting in better fashion as they have had to perform escapology acts in their last 2 home encounters and with the play-offs looming every point is vital for the Bears. Berwick will be hoping to gain a measure of revenge on the Agilia Bears as the Teessiders picked up a 48-42 win at Shielfield Park back in June. The Bandits have a plethora of riders who know the Media Prima Arena well with Aaron Summers, Jye Etheridge and Kasper Andersen all former Bears and Leon Flint has scored paid 15 in 2 visits to Teesside this season. Berwick have had a tough campaign and have only picked up a solitary point on their travels this season and the Bears will be hoping to send them home empty handed. 

Redcar name a full 1-7 for the first time since June 2nd with the aforementioned additions of Kerr and Kinsley whilst Berwick name bring in the entertainer Greg Blair for Kyle Bickley who misses out through illness. 

Redcar co-promoter Jamie Swales is cautiously optimistic ahead of the meeting, “We cannot afford to be complacent ahead of this match, the Bandits have riders who know the Media Prima Arena well and Kasper Andersen will be a handful for our new reserve pairing as he is in good form. We need to improve on our slow starts to meetings with the play-offs around the corner.”

Redcar “Agilia” Bears
1. Charles Wright 9.26 (C)
2. James Sarjeant 4.62
3. Jake Allen 7.13
4. Lewis Kerr 7.12
5. Michael Palm Toft 7.55
6. Ryan Kinsley 3.17
7. Jordan Jenkins 2*

TM: Jade Mudgway.

Berwick FTS Bandits powered by Keenwood Karpets
1 Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen 6.95
2 Leon Flint 3*
3 Jye Etheridge 6.54 (C)
4 Dany Gappmaier 6.61
5 Aaron Summers 6.67
6 Kasper Andersen 4.93
7 Greg Blair (G) 3.24

TM Gary Flint

Redcar turned around another deficit as they overcame an impressive performance from the Scunthorpe Scorpions to take a huge stride to the play-offs with a 47-42 victory at the Media Prima Arena. 

Scunthorpe started smartly with a 5-1 which saw Adam Ellis and the impressive Simon Lambert combine to stun the Teessiders. The visitors extended their lead with a 4-2 in heat 2 with Jordan Palin taking a tapes to flag win. Redcar steadied the ship with a shared heat 3 but heat 4 saw Redcar gain their first heat advantage with Michael Palm-Toft taking the win and Jordan Jenkins picking up an impressive third place to start an improved evening for the Norwich man. 

Redcar found themselves in tactical territory again as the duo of Ellis and Lambert hit their second 5-1 of the evening in the 5th race of another exciting clash at the Media Prima Arena. Yet again, Jade Mudgway’s tactical substitute worked as Palm-Toft and Wright hit the Bears first maximum heat advantage. In truth, heat 9 was the turning point of the night as Jordan Palin crashed out whilst leading with his partner in second, Thomas Jorgensen also crashing. Palin was forced to withdraw from the meeting with a potential collarbone injury. With the rising star looking likely to take his full complement of 7 rides, the pendulum swung in favour of the Bears. 

The withdrawal of Palin left Scunthorpe reeling as Redcar recorded 4 successive 4-2 heat advantages to take a slender 2 point lead into heat 13. Heat 13’s first bend saw a clash between Wright and Ellis which resulted in Wright being excluded from the re-run. The second staging saw Thomas Jorgensen break the tapes and he was replaced with Josh Macdonald who had a solid evening overall. Macdonald was then excluded after a coming together with Palm-Toft which left only 2 riders in the third and final staging. Ellis made the gate and defeated Palm-Toft to bring the Scorpions within 1 of Redcar. Jake Allen won heat 14 to send the meeting into a final race, something we are now used to at Redcar!

The 15th heat of a tremendous evening’s entertainment saw Charles Wright and Jake Allen bolt from the gate to secure a hard fought win for Redcar in front of a large, vociferous audience at the MPA. 

Redcar’s Danish star, Michael Palm-Toft was pleased with his evenings work, “I wanted to partake in heat 15 but after heat 13 I had bike problems which meant I couldn’t take my place. I’m very happy with my performance this evening, unfortunately I didn’t have the speed to catch Adam Ellis in heat 13 but overall it was a good night’s work.”

Redcar Bears : 47 

1. Charles Wright = 9+2

2. James Sarjeant = 4+2

3. Jake Allen = 15

4. Jordan Stewart R/R = 5+1

5. Michael Palm Toft = 11

6. Anders Rowe = 4

7. Jordan Jenkins = 4

Scunthorpe Scorpions : 42 

1. Adam Ellis = 12

2. Simon Lambert = 10+2

3. Max Clegg (G) = 1

4. Tero Aarnio R/R = 7

5. Thomas Jorgensen = 9

6. Jordan Palin = 4

7. Josh MacDonald = 6+1

Tomorrow afternoon, the Redcar Agilia Bears will field a full 7-man team for the first time since the 2^nd of June, with Lewis Kerr and Ryan Kinsley coming in to replace the injured Jordan Stewart and reserve Anders Rowe.

Kerr, who also rides for Premiership side Kings Lynn, will complete a powerhouse top 4 for the Bears, after becoming available on Thursday following the withdrawal of Eastbourne from the SGB Championship League this week. He joins the club on an average of 7.12, just 0.01 points lower than Jake Allen’s current average.

Kinsley started the season as Kings Lynn’s Rising Star and currently races for National Development League side Kent, where he is averaging 9.47 points per meeting. Kinsley was unlucky not to get a Championship spot in 2021, after finishing on a 3.17 average in his first season of professional racing back in 2019 with Scunthorpe. He will join Jordan Jenkins at reserve.

Unfortunately, this means that youngster Anders Rowe will leave the club, as the Bears promotion could not find a like-for-like replacement for Jordan Stewart after weeks of searching. With a play-off spot looking all but certain, the Bears’ management did not want to continue the season with a 6-man team.

Co-promoter Jitendra Duffill explained, “We have been searching for a replacement for Jordan Stewart since he informed us that he would not be returning to the side in 2021. Our preferred option was always a straight swap for Jordan, but we simply couldn’t find a rider that fitted the bill. We are in a very strong position for the play offs and are gunning for a league title, which is why we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to sign Lewis Kerr when he became available.”

Duffill continued, “Unfortunately, as Lewis’ average is higher than Jordan’s, it meant that we had to release another rider to bring him in. After several long discussions between the current promotion, we made the difficult decision to release Anders Rowe, who has struggled to hit the form he showed earlier in the year for Premiership club Ipswich, particularly away from home where he has struggled to score in recent weeks. It’s simply a case of averages dictating, and this was a decision made to strengthen the team as a whole and to improve our chances of success at the business end of the season. We told Anders of our decision on Thursday to allow him to find another team before today’s transfer deadline, but didn’t want to announce until today as it wouldn’t have been fair on him to do it before. I contacted every club in the Championship on Thursday to help him get fixed up, and I’m pleased that he has been successful in doing so. We wish him all the best and thank him for his efforts this season.”

Talking about the new arrivals, Duffill said, “I’d like to welcome Lewis and Ryan to the club. With their addition, I believe we are a stronger side and are now capable of challenging for the league title. Lewis is a proven heat leader at this level and is scoring very well in the Premiership too. Ryan is a young rider with plenty of talent, and was really unfortunate to miss out on a Championship spot this year after a good first season with Scunthorpe. He has good equipment after buying 2 bikes from Robert Lambert at the start of the year and deserves his chance at this level – I’m confident he will do a good job for us at reserve. Both riders were ultra-keen to join us and can’t wait to make their debuts.”

Kerr and Kinsley will make their debuts for the Bears tomorrow (Sunday 29^th August), when Redcar face the Berwick Bandits at the Media Prima Arena. The Bears will go 7 points clear of 3^rd placed side Glasgow if they come away as victors on the day.

Redcar are ready to host fellow play-off contenders, the Scunthorpe Scorpions tonight (19:30 start), the beginning to a weekend of speedway at the Media Prima Arena. Dubbed a “Bank holiday bonanza” we welcome battles against the Scorpions followed by the Berwick Bandits on Sunday (2pm start). Tonight should produce some fascinating battles, starting with a clash of British Champions! Recently crowned King of Britain Adam Ellis faces off against our 2019 champ, Charles Wright, in heat 1. The clash also includes a tasty Danish battle between the former Scorpion turned Bear Michael Palm-Toft and his good friend Thomas Jorgensen who had a spell at Redcar in 2018. 

Scunthorpe, like Redcar are in a battle for a place in the end of season play-offs but Scunthorpe have had poor form away from home whilst Redcar are performing well at the MPA. Scunthorpe have had 7 away fixtures and picked up 1 solitary win against Birmingham and to feature at the business end of the 2021 season the Scorpions will have to start picking up away points, but Redcar are sure to be a tough side to beat, especially with the vociferous home support provided by the club’s loyal fanbase. 

The search for a new rider continues for the Bears so Redcar’s septet, minus Jordan Stewart remains unchanged whilst Scunthorpe bring in Newcastle’s Max Clegg for former 2018 Bear Theo Pijper who is on World Longtrack duty. Additionally, Tero Aarnio misses out through illness and rider replacement will cover Aarnio’s rides. Clegg failed to score on his last visit to the Media Prima Arena but will be riding with renewed vigour after scoring 23 points in his last two home meetings for Newcastle.

Redcar’s James Sarjeant is excited for the SGB Championship clash, “Redcar is a difficult home track as the circuit is always well prepared but last Friday proved how much of a good side we are as we came back to beat Poole who have some strong riders. If we keep riding like we can, I can’t see why we cannot finish in the top 2 of the league, we just need to keep winning our home meetings and pick up points away from home.”

Redcar “Agilia” Bears

1. Charles Wright 9.26   (C)

2. James Sarjeant 4.62

3. Jake Allen 7.13

4. Rider replacement for Jordan Stewart 

5. Michael Palm Toft 7.55

6. Anders Rowe 4.22

7. Jordan Jenkins 2*

TM Jade Mudgway.

Scunthorpe “HEB” Scorpions

1 Adam Ellis 7.92

2 Simon Lambert 5.82 (C)

3 Max Clegg (G) 6.55

4 Rider Replacement for Tero Aarnio

5 Thomas Jorgensen 6.90

6 Jordan Palin 1*

7 Josh Macdonald 4.00

TM: Dave Peet

Redcar produced a remarkable win as they batted back from the brink to defeat the Poole Pirates in an enthralling encounter at the Media Prima Arena. The meeting was an exciting affair played out in front of an impressive crowd. 

The meeting started in perfect fashion for the Bears as they hit a 5-1 in the opener as Charles Wright and James Sarjeant combined for a maximum heat advantage. The Pirates bounced back and left the Bears sleeping at the gate as they soared into a 6 point lead after 7 races. Redcar were forced to use their tactical substitute in heat 9 in the form of Charles Wright but that race only yielded a 3-3 which left the Bears scratching their heads. After 10 heats the Bears were staring down the barrel of a damaging home defeat as they were 8 points down with 5 races remaining. The comeback began in earnest in heat 11 as Michael Palm-Toft combined with the improving Anders Rowe to bring Redcar within touching distance of the impressive Pirates. The comeback garnered further momentum in heat 13 as Redcar drew level with a 5-1 courtesy of Wright and Palm-Toft. With the scores level Redcar used Jake Allen as the rider replacement in heat 14 and he responded with a tapes to flag win and with Anders Rowe in third the Bears led by two going into the final heat. The final race was just the tonic after a thrilling evenings speedway for the home crowd as Charles Wright gated and was joined by Jake Allen as he swooped around the outside for a 5-1 to send the rapturous home support away elated. 

Poole’s Steve Worrall was disappointed his side could not complete the job, “At the start of the meeting things looked really positive for us and it looked like we were going to romp home for victory but for whatever reason the meeting turned around in favour of the Bears. I do feel like it was a meeting we could have won. Not to point the finger but Rory (Schlein) and Ben (Cook) had disappointing scores tonight which let us down in the end. We would’ve won the meeting quite easily if Rory and Ben did what they were capable of.”

Captain fantastic Charles Wright was elated with his side’s performance in a big home win, “I never thought it was over, Jade (Mudgway) got the side together and told us the gating was letting us down. Heat 15 was an awesome way to finish the meeting after being 8 points down. Tonight we were under pressure but I have been around the sport and I know how to deal with it. Additionally, the crowd were fantastic for us this evening, they really got behind us and spurred us on to victory and I cannot thank them enough for their support. 

Redcar = 48

1. Charles Wright = 15

2. James Sarjeant = 5+2

3. Jake Allen = 12+3

4. R/R for Jordan Stewart

5. Michael Palm Toft = 7+1

6. Anders Rowe = 7+1

7. Jordan Jenkins = 2+1

Poole = 42

1. Rory Schlein = 3+1

2. Benjamin Basso = 5

3. Steve Worrall = 13

4. Stefan Nielsen = 5

5. Danny King = 10

6. Ben Cook = 1

7. Danyon Hume = 5+1

Redcar are set for a titanic clash against fellow play-off chasers the Poole Pirates tonight at the Media Prima Arena, (19:30 start). Poole have had a fantastic season so far and they amassed an impressive 30 points from their first 12 meetings. The Bears are no slouches though and they will be gunning for all 3 points as they pursue their own battle for a place in the top 2 of the Championship table. 

Redcar continue to track their 6 man side with rider replacement still in operation whilst Poole hand a debut to their recent Danish signing Benjamin Basso alongside Ben Cook, who continues his comeback from the leg injury sustained when impressively guesting for the Bears against Newcastle back in July. Poole are yet to visit the Media Prima Arena this season, although several members of their side have already raced competitive laps around the circuit. In addition to Cook, Stefan Nielsen has raced in 2 meetings as a guest whilst Rory Schlein rode for Birmingham earlier in the season in another guest appearance. Moreover, Danyon Hume has the most recent experience around the track as he rode for the Plymouth Gladiators in last week’s entertaining encounter. Finally, Poole are led on their northern away meetings by Teesside speedway legend Gary Havelock who is the greatest rider ever to represent the club. 

Redcar team manager Jade Mudgway is fully aware of the threat Poole bring to the Media Prima Arena, “Tonight, we welcome the Poole Pirates, who are in some brilliant form and strong all the way through their team.  On top of that, they will be managed by our own Gary Havelock, so will be very tough to beat tonight, but we can get the job done.  We will need all the noise you can make to push us out the gate!”

Additionally, Redcar’s Michael Palm-Toft believes the Bears are the favourites for the clash, “I don’t think anyone comes to Redcar and expects us to be the underdogs, we all want to win and especially at our home track. Furthermore, I think we are heading in the right direction as a side and everyone is settling in well around our home track.” 

Redcar Agilia Bears.

1. Charles Wright 9.26 (C)

2. James Sarjeant. 4.62

3. Jake Allen 7.13

4. Rider replacement for Jordan Stewart

5. Michael Palm Toft 7.55

6. Anders Rowe. 4.22

7. Jordan Jenkins. 2*

TM Jade Mudgway.

Poole Pirates

1 Rory Schlein 8.62

2 Benjamin Basso – 5.00

3 Stevie Worrall – 7.96

4 Stefan Nielsen 4.29

5 Danny King (C) – 7.92

6 Ben Cook – 4.00

7 Danyon Hume 3*

TM Gary Havelock

FIXTURE UPDATES ?️

?️ Eastbourne – ✖️
?️ Poole – Wednesday 22nd September (7:30pm)

We have been informed today that our away trip to Eastbourne this coming Saturday has been cancelled.

Eastbourne Statement ? https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eastbourne-eagles-speedway-statement/

Redcar’s Anders Rowe and Charles Wright and prepared and ready to go ahead of tonight’s British final. The meeting is held at the National Speedway Stadium and tapes up are scheduled for 19:30. Alternatively you can also watch the action unfold live on Eurosport if you are unable to make it to Manchester.

Redcar’s Rowe is not putting too much pressure on himself ahead of the biggest meeting of his short career, “I’m definitely looking forward to the final and it will be a big learning experience for me. I’m looking to go and mix it up, I’m not going there expecting to win it or anything, I’m just going to give it my all. I have only raced at Belle Vue a couple of times so it will be good to get more experience around there. If I can chill out and have some fun and make some starts it’ll be good.”

The 2019 British Champion Charles Wright is also excited ahead of the final, “Winning the title back in 2019 was great and it is a moment I will never forget. In a way I still see myself as the British Champion but we are now in 2021 and I’m putting no pressure on myself. Unfortunately, my gating has been letting me down this year so I’m hoping to get out of the starts and get some fresh air instead of doing it from the back but it’s not how you start the year, it’s how you finish! I am really relaxed ahead of the meeting.”

The meeting includes some stellar names including Chris Harris, 7 time British Champion Scott Nicholls, the current Champion Rory Schlein, Belle Vue’s Dan Bewley and the former GP star Craig Cook

2021 British Final

1. Scott Nicholls

2. Rory Schlein

3. Simon Lambert

4. Ben Barker 

5. Craig Cook 

6. Kyle Howarth 

7. Danny King 

8. Chris Harris 

9. Dan Bewley 

10. Paul Starke

11. Lewis Kerr 

12. Adam Ellis 

13. Charles Wright 

14. Anders Rowe 

15. Steve Worrall 

16. Richard Lawson