Category: Bears News

Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears suffered a disappointing defeat on Thursday night, losing 57-33 to the Edinburgh Monarchs. The tone for the night was set in a blistering opening 5 heats from the Monarchs, recording two 5-1’s and three 4-2’s to lead 22-8. 

The Bears struggled to cope with the fast-starting Monarchs all evening, recording only 4 heat wins all night. Bears skipper Ben Barker  provided the main resistance with a battling 13, but it was tough going for the Bears all night.

Ricky Wells led Edinburgh superbly, recording a paid maximum with 14+1 from his rides. He was supported superbly by Erik Riss, Joel Andersson and Josh Pickering in particular – but it was an excellent all round performance from the Scottish side.

Bears promoter Kevin Keay cut a frustrated figure after the meeting:

I’m at my wits end. There just isn’t any consistency throughout the team and I just don’t know why or how to change it. We were out gated and out ridden and that doesn’t please me at all but Edinburgh were awesome and the result shows that.

The Bears are next in home action in two weeks time, against the Ipswich Witches.

Redcar Bears = 33 

1. Ben Barker (C) – 1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 13
2. Tobias Busch R/R – (JBA-0), (MBA-2), (MBA-F), (JS-0)
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 0, 3 = 3
4. Jonas B Andersen – 0, 2, 1, 1′, F = 4+1
5. Thomas Jorgensen – 2, 1, 0, 0 = 3
6. Mikkel B Andersen – 2, 2, F, 1, 1, 0 = 6
7. Jordan Stewart – 0, 0, 3, 2, 0, 0 = 5
8. Gavin Parr – 

Edinburgh Monarchs = 57 

1. Ricky Wells – 2′, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14+1 (PAID MAXIMUM)
2. Victor Palovaara – 3, 2′, 1′, 2′ = 8+3
3. Mark Riss – 1, 0, 2, 1′ = 4+1
4. Josh Pickering – 3, 2, 1′, 3 = 9+1
5. Erik Riss (C) – 3, 3, 3, 1, 1 = 11
6. Max Ruml – 1, 0, 0 = 1
7. Joel Andersson – 3, 1, 2, 2, 2′ = 10+1

Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears will look to make it 2 home wins on the bounce, as they take on the Edinburgh Monarchs at the Media Prima Arena on Thursday night (7:30pm start).

New team boss Jade Mudgway kept up his 100% record of victories as team manager last week, and will hoping to keep that going against a strong Edinburgh side who finished second in the recent Championship Fours at Redcar. Mudgway admits management was never something he would end up doing:

I hope Jitendra gets well very soon, but until then, I will be doing everything that I can to help our Bears to entertain and win for our fans.  Being team manager is not something that I ever thought I would get the chance to do, but I intend to do the best possible job for our club.  I feel that being a recent rider gives me a bit of an edge, as it will help me to understand and do my best to get the best out of them.  I am a regular in the pits at Redcar, so I know all of the riders well already. 

It was a strong performance from the Bears last week, in particular down at reserve. Mudgway says the whole team is buzzing, and had special praise for his reserve duo:

Team spirit is high at the moment and I want to build on that.  Every rider in our pits will give us 100% and that’s all I can ask of them.  We have two trump cards in our team, as I believe that our reserves are the best in the league.  Mikkel was brilliant last week and when we needed him to pull out big races he did it with fast starts and speed.  Jordan also had a brilliant night, reading the track perfectly and switching back to the inside in heat 12, pulling out a big win to make sure Scunthorpe didn’t get back into the match.

The Bears will go into the meeting without German Tobias Busch, who is still feeling the effects of his crash last week. The Bears will operate rider replacement to cover for him. Edinburgh come into the meeting at full strength, with new signing Victor Palovaara coming in to replace Coty Garcia. They are led by American star Ricky Wells, with Erik Riss at number 5 who was superb in the Championship Fours and was unbeaten all day. Josh Pickering and Joel Andersson also both showed their liking of the Teesside track at the Fours meeting so it should prove to be an exciting clash!

Redcar: Barker, r/r for Busch, Berge, Jonas B Andersen, Jorgensen, Mikkel B Andersen, Stewart
Edinburgh: Wells, Palovaara, Mark Riss, Pickering, Erik Riss, Ruml, Andersson

Redcar Bears have a champion in their side….
Dimitri Berge is European Grass track Champion after claiming the title on his home soil of France on Saturday!

Congratulations to Dmitri! Read a report of his win at http://www.fim-europe.com/european-grass-track-championship-final-tayac-france/

The Redcar Bears school roadshow made a visit to Priors Mill School in Billingham on Thursday and the boys and girls appeared to be very excited and enthralled by Jordan Stewart and the sport of Speedway. We look forward to seeing the youngsters, and their teachers, attending the Media Prima Arena very soon.

Following Thursday’s victory over Scunthorpe two Bears had further success on the road last night as Jordan Stewart got on the rostrum at an individual meeting at Edinburgh taking third place behind home rider Max Ruml and recent Bear Nathan Greaves. Ben Barker guested for Glasgow against Lakeside and scored eleven plus 4 bonus points in a Glasgow victory building his fitness and form up nicely for the rest of the season and the forthcoming Championship Pairs meeting at Somerset where he will partner Thomas Jorgensen .

The pairs meeting is the prelude to the Cardiff Grand Prix on the Saturday with the Bears AWAY at Ipswich on the Thursday evening meaning a potentially great 3 day trip for Bears fans, get your flags ready!

Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears enjoyed a good night at home against Scunthorpe on Thursday night, running out 52-38 winners at the Media Prima Arena.

It was a solid all round effort from the Bears, but it was at reserve where the meeting was really won. Man of the meeting Mikkel B Andersen rode superbly for his 15 points, and was supported well by Jordan Stewart with 9+3. Every Bear, apart from the very unfortunate Tobias Busch who had to withdraw after an awkward looking fall, managed to win a heat though on a good night for the side.

Ex-Bears number 1 provided the main challenge to the Bears, with an excellent 14+1, with Josh Auty battling very hard indeed for his 9+1 points.

Redcar = 52

1. Ben Barker 1′, 3, 1, X = 5+1
2. Jonas B Andersen 2, 1, 2, 3, 2 = 10
3. Dimitri Berge M, 1, 3, R = 4
4. Tobias Busch 0 = 0 Withdrawn
5. Thomas Jorgensen 3, 2, 0, 3, 1′ = 9+1
6. Mikkel B Andersen 3, 2, 3, 0, 1, 3, 3 = 15
7. Jordan Stewart 2′, 1, 1′, 3, 2′ = 9+3

Scunthorpe = 38 

1. Richard Lawson (G) 3, 2, 3, 1′, 2, 3 = 14+1
2. Aaron Summers (G) 0, 3, X, 3, 2, 0 = 8
3. Stefan Nielsen R/R (AS 3, RL 3, JAu 2, JAl 1′ = 9+1)
4. Jake Allen 1, 1, 0, 1′, R = 3+1
5. Josh Auty 2, 2, 2, 2, 1′ = 9+1
6. David Wallinger (G) 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Gino Manzares 1, 0, 0, 2, 1 = 4

Just 4 days after holding a very successful Championship Four Team Tournament, the Redcar Ecco Finishing Supplies Bears return to action on Thursday against Scunthorpe Scorpions at the Media Prima Arena (7:30pm start).

On a scorching hot day on Sunday, the Peterborough Panthers retained their title in fine style but it was a superb days racing all round. The volunteers and track staff worked hard all day to keep the track in good nick and ensure fans were fed and hydrated. Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill was delighted with how the day turned out:

Sunday saw us host the Championship 4 Team Tournament and I was really pleased with how the day went. I felt the event was a huge success and Kev Keay should be very proud of what he achieved. A lot of time and planning went into the event to ensure that it ran as smoothly as possible and to cater for the extra supporters that we expected to arrive. We have had some very positive feedback and that was very pleasing to hear after so many were quick to criticise and judge our ability to succeed before giving us a chance to try.

Thank you to everyone that attended and especially to all of our volunteers who worked hard in uncomfortable temperatures. I’d also like to thank Terry the Track and his staff for their superb work on the track. It was always going to be difficult to provide a perfect race surface in the extreme heat but I don’t think anybody could have done any better on the day and we saw some amazing racing as a result.

The Bears bowed out of the competition in the semi-final stage, although had started the meeting well with Thomas Jorgensen and Mikkel B Andersen winning their opening rides. The Bears afternoon changed with the exclusion of Ben Barker in his second ride, which Duffill was disappointed with:

We started very strongly but things went wrong just after the half way stage when Ben Barker was excluded in his second ride. I was absolutely dumbfounded at the referee’s decision to exclude Ben and I cannot for one second understand how he could be blamed for the crash. The ref’ told me that Ben should have shut off, but anybody with any sort of understanding of how a Speedway bike rides knows you cannot shut  off when riding close to the fence as it straightens up. Ben was left with nowhere to go but into the fence. It was the wrong decision in my opinion and one that probably cost us a place in the final.

This Thursday sees the visit of injury ravaged Scunthorpe, with four of their regular riders currently out injured. Steve Worrall, Jason Garrity, Stefan Nielsen and Danny Phillips are all currently on the sidelines. They  have booked in some solid guests though, as Richard Lawson, Aaron Summers and Joe Lawlor come in for Worrall, Garrity and Phillips with r/r in operation for Nielsen. Duffill is still expecting a close meeting:

This week we welcome Scunthorpe and they have had a torrid time with injury this year. With Jason Garrity, Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen and Danny Phillips all in the sidelines they have a bit of a patched up side but the guests they have chosen ride our track very well. They look very strong on paper and that means that we have a very tough task on our hands again on Thursday.

There is one change to the Bears side for this week, with German Tobias Busch now fully fit and returning in place of Nathan Greaves whose 28 day spell is over. Duffill is pleased to see Busch back, but also sad to see Greaves leave:

We welcome back Tobias Busch to our side this week after his recent hand injury and it’s good to have him back in the side. His return also pushes Mikkel B Andersen down to number 6 alongside Jordy Stewart so we look very strong at reserve again. I’d like to say a very big thank you to Nathan Greaves for all his efforts over the last 4 weeks. His 28 day contract has now reached its conclusion and I’m sad to see him go. I’ve really enjoyed working along side Nathan and I am pleased with the job that he has done for us. He is a rider I’d love to have back at Redcar again in the near future as I believe that there is a lot more to come from him.

Redcar: Barker, Jonas B Andersen, Berge, Busch, Jorgensen, Mikkel B Andersen, Stewart
Scunthorpe: Lawson, Summers, r/r for Nielsen, Allen, Auty, Lawlor, Manzares

For the Championship Fours meeting limited Disabled car parking space will be available inside the stadium and at the very front of the main car park by the turnstiles. All car parks will be stewarded and they will be in radio contact with each other.

No vehicles parked inside the stadium will be allowed to leave until the meeting has fully ended so if you intend to leave prior to the last race do not park inside the stadium.
Staff car parking will be in the Stunt School Arena to the left of the turnstiles.

Limited Motorcycle parking is also available inside the main gate.
Whilst additional car parking space has been secured please allow plenty of time to enter the stadium as you may have a short walk to the Media Prima Arena.
Those people that have enquired about grandstand seats will have their calls replied to on Tuesday.
Additional catering units and pop-up bars will be in attendance around the stadium.

We look forward to seeing fans from all clubs on Sunday, bring your own sun tan cream!

Despite a battling performance, the Redcar ‘Ecco Finishing Supplies’ Bears fell to a 48-42 defeat at home to Peterborough on Thursday night. 

Dimitri Berge was the star for the Bears, with the flying Frenchman notching 4 heat wins on his way to a 12 point total. There were also battling performances from the Bears two guests, with Aaron Summers scoring 10 and Josh Auty 7+2.

The Panthers were led excellently by Michael Palm Toft, who roared to a 17 point score, only beaten by Berge in heat 15. He received excellent support from Bradley Wilson Dean and reserve Tom Bacon, who both scored 9+2.

Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill admits his team was beaten by the better side on the night:

Sometimes you just have to put your hands up and admit that you were beaten by a better team. No lack of effort on our part, there was plenty of fight in camp but ultimately we were beaten by a superb performance from Michael Palm Toft and the impressive Tom Bacon. Congratulations to Peterborough but hugely disappointing to lose at home again.

The next action at Redcar is on Sunday 1st July, when the Bears host the Championship Four Team tournament.

Redcar Bears = 42 

1. Aaron Summers (G) – 2, 3, 1, 3, 1 = 10
2. Mikkel B Andersen – 1*, 1, 2, 0 = 4+1
3. Dimitri Berge – 0, 3, 3, 0, 3, 3 = 12
4. Jonas B Andersen – 1, 1, FX, 1 = 3
5. Josh Auty (G) – 1*, 2, 2, 2* = 7+2
6. Nathan Greaves – 3, 0, 1, 0 = 4
7. Jordan Stewart – 0, 2, 0 = 2

Peterborough Panthers = 48 

1. Scott Nicholls – 3, 2, 2, 1, 0 = 8
2. Ellis Perks – 0, 0, 1, 1 = 2
3. Bradley Wilson-Dean – 2*, 2, 1, 2*, 2, 0 = 9+2
4. Michael Palm Toft – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 17
5. Ulrich Ostergaard (R/R) – (MPT-3), (BWD-2), (SN-2), (EP-1)
6. Simon Lambert – 2, 0, 1*, F = 3+1
7. Tom Bacon – 1*, 0, 3, 3, 2* = 9+2