Category: Bears News

Despite a brave, fighting performance, Redcar Agilia Bears fell to a 49-41 defeat at Edinburgh on Friday night, just missing out on a league point.

On a track the Bears have historically struggled on, the night started off badly with Edinburgh getting a 5-1 in the first heat. Indeed after the first four heats, and four Edinburgh heat winners, the score was 15-9 to the home side. A heat 5 win from Charles Wright, with Tom Bacon getting third was the start of the fightback from the Bears. A two further 4-2s for the Bears saw the scoreline level at 21-21 after 7 heats.

Edinburgh soon took control again however, with the impressive Victor Palovaara leading the Monarchs to two successive 5-1s and giving the home side a 8 point lead again. Despite the Bears best efforts, the Monarchs held on for the win and agonisingly for the Bears they also fell just short of snatching a league point.

It was a good solid effort from the team, with Michael Palm Toft top scoring with 13, with both Wright and Jordan Stewart getting two wins each on their way to 7 and 7+1. Palovaara top scored for the Monarchs with 13+1.

The Bears do not have long to wait for their next meeting, as they face Edinburgh at home on Saturday night with a 7:30pm start.

Edinburgh Monarchs : 49 
1. Ricky Wells — 2′, 2, 2′, 3, 1 = 10+2
2. Victor Palovaara — 3, 0, 1′, 3, 3, 3 = 13+1
3. Josh Pickering — F WITHDRAWN = 0
4. Joel Andersson — 3, 2, 2′, 2, 2 = 11+1
5. Cameron Heeps — 3, 2, 2, 1 = 8
6. William Lawson — 3, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1′ = 6+1
7. Connor Coles (G) — 0, 1, 0 = 1

Redcar Bears : 41 
1. Charles Wright — 1, 3, 3, 0, 0 = 7
2. Tom Bacon — 0, 1, 3, 1 = 5
3. Ulrich Ostergaard — 2, 1, 1, 1 = 5
4. Jordan Stewart — 1′, 3, 0, 3 = 7+1
5. Michael Palm Toft — 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 2 = 13
6. Nathan Greaves — 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
7. Jack Smith — 1′, 0, F = 1+1

Redcar Agilia Bears finally get their League campaign underway this weekend, as they take on Edinburgh in Scotland on Friday night before hosting the Monarchs at the Media Prima Arena on Saturday night (both 7:30pm starts).

The Bears are playing catch up somewhat in the League, with everyone else (including Edinburgh) haven ridden at leat two meetings. All seven riders will be itching to get back out on track and show what they are capable of!

Redcar will be at full strength for both meetings, and Ulrich Ostergaard will make his second Bears debut in the fixtures.Charles Wright moves to number 1 in the team after a fine strat to the season, with Michael Palm Toft moving to number 5. Bears reserve Jack Smith has recently signed for Cradley in the National League giving him the chance for some extra track time.

Charles Wright will be looking to carry on where he left off at the MPA, with a fine win in the British Semi Final. Co-promoter and team manager Jade Mudway was impressed with Wright that night, but also the performance of Tom Bacon:

“The last meeting was the British semi-final which was absolutely brilliant, with Charles Wright showing the scintillating form he is in by finishing on the top step of the podium. Tom Bacon was flying with some cracking races – he maybe deserved to finish higher than he did, but I’m sure he will do us all proud if he gets his chance in the final as first reserve.”

Edinburgh will be a tough nut to crack, and have a number of riders who ride the MPA well. Ricky Wells, Victor Palovaara and Josh Pickering in particular have impressed in the past and last season the Monarchs put 57 past the Bears. This is a very different Redcar side however, and it is sure to be another exciting meeting on Teesside:

Redcar: Charles Wright, Tom Bacon, Ulrich Ostergaard, Jordan Stewart, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Greaves, Jack Smith

Edinburgh (Friday): Ricky Wells, Victor Palovaara, Josh Pickering, Joel Andersson, Cameron Heeps, William Lawson, Connor Coles (guest).

Edinburgh (Saturday): Ricky Wells (captain), Victor Palovaara, Josh Pickering, Joel Andersson, Cameron Heeps, William Lawson, tbc

Today we received the upsetting news that long time Bears supporter and ex-flag marshal Ron Tate passed away over the weekend. Ron, whose brother Maurice died earlier this year, was a very well-known and popular friend of many of us here at Redcar Speedway. He spent years of his life following the sport and had a huge passion for Speedway. He will be sadly missed and we would like to pass our condolences on to all of his family and friends. RIP Ron

Redcar Agilia Bears have moved swiftly to re-arrange the Eastbourne home meeting, which was due to be tomorrow evening but was postponed due to bad weather.

This meeting will now take place on Sunday 4th August, with a 3pm start.

The Bears are next in home action on Saturday 22nd June against Edinburgh, with a 7:30pm start.

Unfortunately, due to the bad weather over the last couple of days and the forecast of more to come today, we have had to postpone tomorrows meeting with Eastbourne.

A restaging day will be confirmed once known.

Redcar Agilia Bears finally get their league campaign underway this Friday, as they host the Eastbourne Eagles at the Media Prima Arena with a 7:30pm start.

It has been a couple of weeks without any action at the MPA, and even longer since the Bears rode as a team, and promoter Jitendra Duffill is pleased to be back racing!

“It’s good to be back after a 2 week break from racing here at the MPA. The shorter fixture list in 2019 means that it is difficult to host speedway every week although that’s something that we, the promotion, would have liked here at Redcar Speedway. Having said that, the weather was poor last Friday so we would have been rained off anyway. A bit of good fortune there!”

Popular Dane Ulrich Ostergaard will make his second debut as a Bear on Friday. Ostegaard last rode for the Bears in 2012 and 2013, and recently became free after leaving Birmingham. He was swiftly snapped up by the Bears to replace the outgoing Ben Barker, and Duffill is happy to have him in the side:

“I’d like welcome Ulrich Ostergaard to the Bears and he will fit in well with the rest of our side. He is a proven scorer at this level and ranks the MPA as one of his favourite tracks. The 3rd heat leader spot should be better suited to him than racing with the pressure of the number 1 position like he was at Birmingham for most of the year.”

There is a slight change in the riding order this week, as Charles Wright moves to number one after his superb start to the season. Michael Palm Toft will now ride at number 5. Wright, who scored a creditable 5 points in his GP Qualifier in Germany this week, has been in superb form all season and as well as moving up to number 1 has also now been handed the Bears captaincy. Duffill has been delighted with his role this season:

“Charles has been brilliant all year, both on and off the track and he is a superb role model to his teammates and young British riders everywhere. He is a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication and he thoroughly deserves the captain’s role that has been handed to him.”

Eastbourne visit the Media Prima Arena after spending the last couple of seasons in the National League. Their side has a good mix of youth and experience and a number of riders who ride the Media Prima Arena well. Richard Lawson spent time as a Bear, whilst Lewis Kerr always tends to go well here. At reserve they also have two promising young riders in Alfie Bowtell and Georgie Wood. It promises to be another close exciting meeting, not to be missed!

Redcar: Charles Wright, Tom Bacon, Ulrich Ostergaard, Jordan Stewart, Michael Palm Toft, Nathan Greaves, Jack Smith

Eastbourne: Richard Lawson, Ben Morley, Kyle Newman, Lewis Kerr, Edward Kennett, Alfie Bowtell, Georgie Wood

Due to the popularity of this in previous weeks, we are again making the SG Petch Platinum Suite available to fans for Fridays meeting against Eastbourne.

For just an extra £10, fans will be treated to the suite located at the Start/Finish line with the best views of the action. Included in that price is a free programme, Pie and Pea Supper and a hot drink. As well as that, you will be able to have a pre-meeting Pits visit and get to watch 2 heats from the centre green.

This offer is limited to 20 fans, so to book please get in touch with our marketing manager Ian Drinkel at indrinkel@msn.com or call him on 07827293866.

We can now reveal the dates for the Redcar Agilia Bears KO Cup Second round clash with Glasgow.

The home leg will take place on Tuesday 2nd July, with a 7:30pm start. The away leg at Glasgow will take place on Friday 5th July, also with a 7:30pm start.

These are two meetings not to be missed!

Just a reminder to Bears fans that there is no meeting at the Media Prima Arena tonight, with our next meeting on 14th June against Eastbourne.

For fans looking for their speedway fix however, Glasgow are hosting a GP Qualifier meeting tomorrow night at 7pm. Head along for the chance to see the likes of Craig Cook, Robert Lambert and Chris Holder progress to the next stage of GP qualification.