Category: Bears News

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

The Redcar Agilia Bears have signed Danish ace Ulrich Ostergaard to replace Ben Barker in their line-up. Ostergaard will return for his second spell with the Bears after leading the side in 2012 & 2013 and will make his debut in the clubs first Championship League fixture against the Eastbourne Eagles on the 14th June.

Promoter Jitendra Duffill concluded a deal to bring the popular Dane to Teesside on Monday and received BSPA approval yesterday. Duffill confirmed that enquiries had been made about several riders last Friday without success following Barker’s withdrawal from the British Semi-Final; including exciting young talents Luke Bekker and Jaimon Lidsey. Fortunately, Ostergaard became available shortly after, following his release from Championship club Birmingham.
Duffill explained, ‘For reasons I cannot expand upon, we were left with little choice other than to replace Ben Barker in our line-up. Ben was always going to be very difficult to replace, especially as there are very few riders within the 6.90 points that we had to play with. I made several enquiries about riders without success on Friday afternoon but fortunately, Ulrich became available later that evening. I talked at length with Ulrich and it seems he started the season with a bit of bad luck. He was also having to ride at the difficult number 1 position with Birmingham for most of his time there. Redcar is one of his favourite tracks and I believe that he can do a very good job for us as a third heat leader. He is a hard, experienced rider with a never say die attitude and he looked impressive here 2 weeks ago in the Julie Lewis Memorial; winning two races and beating both Aaron Summers and Michael Palm Toft. He will fit in very well and I’m very pleased to have him back at Redcar, as is my co-promoter and team manager Jade Mudgway. Now we can move on and look forward to the rest of the season’.

Duffill also confirmed that the captaincy will now be handed over to Bears new number 1 Charles Wright. Wright has started the season in scintillating form and is reported to be ecstatic to be named as the Agilia Bears new captain. ‘It was an easy decision for Jade and I to make. Charles is the ultimate professional, is dedicated to his team and thoroughly deserves this title. He is a fantastic role model to his team mates and will make a brilliant captain.’

The Redcar Agilia Bears have released Ben Barker from his contract with the club with immediate effect. Ben brought it to the club’s attention that he had ‘personal issues’ last week on the eve of the British Semi-Final, resulting in his withdrawal from the event.

Promoter Jitendra Duffill stated, ‘With Ben’s ongoing issues, it has been decided that we have little choice other than to seek a replacement. Out of respect for Ben and his privacy, I cannot reveal any more details on the matter, but would like to make it clear that is with genuine regret that we have had to release him. I wish Ben nothing but the very best and thank him for his service to the club.’

Duffill has confirmed that Barker’s replacement will be announced within the next few days as the Bears seek BSPA approval on their revised line up.

On behalf of myself and Redcar Speedway I would like to thank and apologise to the fans who attended the British Semi-Final last night. We had a 50 minute delay after a nasty incident in heat 1 involving all 4 riders, 2 of which required lengthy treatment and a trip to hospital. A county ambulance had to be called for Jason Garrity.
After heat 9 a spectator took very ill and required attention from the track paramedic, with another county ambulance being called to transfer him to hospital. This resulted in a further delay of 35 minutes. After this, the meeting ran swiftly with the help of SCB referee Michel Breckon, the competitors and our track staff, taking the meeting to its full conclusion of 20 heats.
I’d like to send my sincere thanks to all those who attended on the night for your patience and understanding. Every meeting so far this year at Redcar has run quickly and without complications and I would doubt that anyone is more disappointed, sorry and upset about the delays than I am. I hope you understand that the events that occurred last night were out of our hands and a result of very unfortunate circumstances. The safety and well being of the injured riders and poorly spectator were of paramount importance and had to take priority. We send them all our best wishes.
I’d also like to express my thanks and gratitude to the medical staff of Medics UK, who acted professionally and with great competence under stressful conditions. They were a credit to their profession.
Thanks so much for your understanding and patience and I hope you will accept my sincere apologies.
Jitendra Duffill
Promoter, Redcar Bears Speedway

On a eventful evening at the Media Prima Arena, home favourite Charles Wright won the British Semi Final with an excellent 14 point haul.

The meeting started off in the worst possible way, with all four riders hitting the deck in heat 1 in a horrendous first bend incident. The referee judged Kyle Howarth, coming off gate 4, to be the main cause and excluded him from the re-run which on first viewing seemed a touch harsh. Paul Starke soon got to his feet and walked back to his feet, but Howarth, Nielsen and Garrity all needed extensive from the paramedics. Unfortunately a county ambulance needed to be called to transport Garrity to hospital with a suspected wrist injury. Howarth also took a trip to hospital under his own stream with a suspected shoulder injury. We wish both riders all the best and hope they return to full fitness soon. Incredibly, Nielsen got up and after treatment was declared fit to continue.

Once the action got back underway, the patient fans were treated to some good racing with home man Wright getting a win in his first ride and Mr Entertainment Danny Ayres getting a good win over Tom Bacon. There was unfortunately another lengthy delay after heat 9, as paramedics attended to a member of the crowd. Everyone at Redcar Speedway passes our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the spectator.

With the time getting on, the meeting was then ran at a very swift pace. Wright continued his excellent form to win the meeting, only dropping one point to the equally impressive Paul Starke. Leicester and Poole man Richie Worrall was consistent all night and finished second with 13 points, with the always entertaining Danny Ayres getting a deserved 3rd place. Starke, Lewis Kerr and Steve Worrall took the remaining three places for the British Final. Ashley Morris and Tom Bacon just missed out, with both getting reserve places for the final at Belle Vue.

We would like to place on record our thanks to all the Medical staff for their excellent work, and also to all fans present for their patience throughout the night.

9. Charles Wright 3, 2, 3, 3, 3 = 14
8. Richie Worrall 3, 3, 2, 2, 3 = 13
13. Danny Ayres 3, 1, 3, 3, 2 = 12
1. Paul Starke 3, 3, 2, 3, R = 11
16. Lewis Kerr 1, 2, 3, 3, 2 = 11
5. Steve Worrall 2, R, 3, 2, 3 = 10
—————————————–
11. Ashley Morris 1, 3, 1, 1, 2 = 8
14. Tom Bacon 2, 3, 1, 1, 1 = 8
10. Simon Lambert 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 = 8
7. Kyle Newman 0, 2, 1, 2, 1 = 6
3. Stefan Nielsen 2, Fx, 0, 0, 3 = 5
6. Josh Auty 1, 2, 0, 2, R = 5
12. Ben Morley 0, 1, 2, 0, 1 = 4
15. Drew Kemp 0, 1, 1, 0, 1 = 3
R1. David Wallinger 1, 0, 0, 1, 0 = 2
R2. Ben Rathbone 0, 0, 0, 0 = 0
2. Jason Garrity = 0 Withdrawn
4. Kyle Howarth X = 0 Withdrawn

There have been two further changes to the lineup for tonight’s British Semi Final at the Media Prima Arena. Due to injury Zach Watjknecht has been forced to withdraw, Simon Lambert will be his replacement. For personal reasons, Ben Barker has also had to withdraw and he will be replaced by the popular Danny Ayres.

Full lineup:

Paul Starke, Jason Garrity, Stefan Nielsen, Kyle Howarth, Steve Worrall, Josh Auty, Kyle Newman, Richie Worrall, Charles Wright, Danny Ayres, Ashley Morris, Ben Morley, Simon Lambert, Tom Bacon, Drew Kemp, Lewis Kerr.

This Friday night sees 16 of the top British Riders battling it out, as we proudly host the British Semi-Final at the Media Prima Arena (7:30pm start).

It promises to be a hugely exciting night, with the top 6 on the night going through to the British Final at Belle Vue and joining the 10 seeded riders for the chance to be British Champion! And there is plenty of home interest in the semi final, with the Bears having three representatives on the night. Charles Wright, Ben Barker and Tom Bacon will all be looking to use their home track knowledge to their advantage as they look to qualify.

They will have their work cut out though, as the lineup is packed with riders who go well around the Teesside track. Both Steve and Richie Worrall certainly know the fastest way around the MPA, and Jason Garrity and Josh Auty have both spent time as a Bear. Lewis Kerr, Paul Starke and Kyle Howarth in particular have had some superb meetings here as well so the field is wide open. There is also plenty of potential packed into the lineup, with the likes of Stefan Nielsen, Kyle Newman, Ashely Morris, Ben Morley and Zach Watjknecht who will all fancy their chances of causing an upset!

There is one late change to the lineup, as unfortunately Josh Bates has had to withdraw through injury. He will be replaced by Sheffield’s exciting youngster Drew Kemp.

It is a meeting that is not to be missed! And please note, all children under 16 will be admitted free of charge!

Full lineup:

Paul Starke, Jason Garrity, Stefan Nielsen, Kyle Howarth, Steve Worrall, Josh Auty, Kyle Newman, Richie Worrall, Charles Wright, Ben Barker, Ashley Morris, Ben Morley, Zach Watjknecht, Tom Bacon, Drew Kemp, Lewis Kerr.

After an entertaining evening at the Media Prima Arena, Bears skipper Ben Barker and Danny Ayres came out winners in the Julie Lewis Memorial meeting.

There was some excellent racing in the individual part of the meeting, with Bears asset and popular Dane Jacob Bukhave top scoring with a superb 11 points from 12. He was only defeated by Newcastles Max Clegg, who finished on 10 points. Mr Entertainer Danny Ayres finished on 9, with Kyle Newman and Tom Bacon also progressing to the pairs with 8 points.

There was some excellent racing in the Pairs, with Charles Wright looking imperious on his way to a 12 point maximum. It was Barker and Ayres who prevailed however, packing the minor placings in the final to take the victory.

Redcar host the British Semi Final next Friday with a 7:30pm start.

Individual Scores:

1. Tom Bacon 3, 2, 0, 3 = 8
2. Jack Smith 0, 2, 1, 2 = 5
3. Nathan Greaves 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7
4. Max Clegg 3, 2, 2, 3 = 10
5. Danny Ayres 3, R, 3, 3 = 9
6. David Wallinger 0, 1, 0, 0 = 1
7. Danny Phillips 1, 0, 0, 1 = 2
8. Joe Lawlor 1, 1, 0, 1 = 3
9. Josh MacDonald 2, 3, 1, 1 = 7
10. Jacob Bukhave 2, 3, 3, 3 = 11
11. Jedd List 0, F, 1, 0 = 1
12. Kyle Newman 2, 3, 1, 2 = 8

Pairs Scores:

Team A = 16 

1. Charles Wright 3, 3, 3, 3 = 12
2. Kyle Newman 1, 2′, 0 = 3+1
R. Nathan Greaves 1 = 1

Team B = 11 

1. Michael Palm Toft 2, 3, 2, 3 = 10
2. Tom Bacon 0, 1′, 0 = 1+1
R. Jack Smith 0 = 0

Team C = 09 

1. Aaron Summers 1, 2, 0, 2 = 5
2. Max Clegg 1′, 2, 1′ = 4+2
R. Josh MacDonald 0 = 0

Team D = 14 

1. Ben Barker 2′, 3, 2, 1′ = 8+2
2. Danny Ayres 3, 1′, 2 = 6+1
R. Joe Lawlor 0 = 0

Team E = 10 

1. Ulrich Ostergaard 1, 2, 3, 3 = 9
2. Jacob Bukhave 0, 1′, 0 = 1+1
R. Danny Phillips 0 = 0

Following recent success, we are again offering fans a chance to sponsor a rider for the British Semi Final next Friday night at the Media Prima Arena.

Each rider can be sponsored (16) for £20. There is a twist however, as you will be allocated a rider in numerical order from 1 to 16. If your rider wins, you will receive a bottle of bubbly and also present a bottle to the winner on the centre green. For your £20 you will get your names in the programme as a rider sponsor and spend the evening in the SG Petch Platinum Suite. You will receive a full buffet and hot drink plus a drink from the bar a programme & a centre green visit etc.

The meeting itself is sponsored by our main team sponsor Agilia, we thank them again for their continued support.

For further details, or to sponsor a rider please contact Ian Drinkel at indrinkel@msn.com or on 07827293866.

This Friday sees the running of the Annual Julie Lewis Memorial meeting at the Media Prima Arena, with a 7:30pm start.

This year sees an innovative new format – the first half of the meeting will consist of a 12 rider, 12 heat individual meeting. The top 5 from this will then join a heatleader and go onto the 11 heat, 5 team pairs meeting. There is one change from the original lineup, with Newcastle’s Max Clegg replacing the injured Coty Garcia.

As a special offer for this meeting, if you buy your ticket online you will save £2 off admission and get a free programme if you enter the code JULIE2 when purchasing. Season tickets are valid for this meeting also.

The lineup for the individual is as follows: Tom Bacon, Jack Smith, Nathan Greaves, Jedd List, Josh Mcdonald, Jacob Bukhave, Kyle Newman, Joe Lawlor, David Wallinger, Danny Phillips, Danny Ayres and Max Clegg.

The five heatleaders in the Pairs event will be Michael Palm Toft, Charles Wright, Aaron Summers, Ben Barker and Ulrich Ostergaard.