LATEST NEWS ~ FEBRUARY 2007

BEAR'S APPEAL ENDS IN FAILURE
By Martin Neal Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 24th February 2007
AN appeal into the punishment meted out to Redcar and Newcastle riders for refusing to race on what they considered to be an unsafe track has been thrown out. But the battle may still not be over and angry Bears skipper Gary Havelock is considering his next move. Both sets of riders walked away from what should have been the first leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy at Brough Park last October without a wheel being turned.

They claimed heavy rain which had fallen earlier had left the Tyneside track unraceable and defied referee Chris Durno’s orders to proceed with the meeting. Havelock revealed there was genuine fear that someone could end up in hospital if the meeting went ahead and said at the time: “The unanimous belief of all 12 riders was that the track was unsafe.”

Along with the former England captain, the riders in this year’s Redcar squad affected are Chris Kerr and Dan Giffard along with James Grieves who was with Newcastle at the time. Adam McKinna was also due to ride for the Diamonds that day and has since signed a doubling up arrangement with the Cleveland Bays. Jack Hargreaves, Lee Smethills and the now retired Kevin Little were also in the Bears side who were due to use rider replacement for the injured Mat Tresarrieu. They were each fined £250 and handed a six-match ban, suspended for two years, but an appeal was launched on their behalf by the riders’ union, the SRA.

However the riders were informed this week that their appeal had not been successful. In their response to the SRA bid, the Speedway Control Bureau ruled there was no right to appeal against the fines - although, even if there was, they say they would have stood by the punishment. They also felt the suspended ban was appropriate and said that in similar circumstances in the future, team managers should also be penalised. Their only concession was that Little - who had already announced his retirement and had a previously unblemished record - should have his suspended penalty removed.

“We have a right to appeal against the findings of the appeal,” explained former world champion Havelock, “and now I’m considering the next move. I’m disappointed and disillusioned - this wasn’t the result we’d hoped for.”

GARY HAVELOCK will be the first Bear in action this year after being named in a high class line-up for the Peter Craven Memorial Trophy at Belle Vue on Monday, March 19. New signing Josh Auty is one of the reserves.
 

BEARS TREATMENT
Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 16th February 2007
The Redcar Bears speedway team will be the first in their sport's history to enjoy injury treatment after a new arrangement with Teesside Sports Injury Centre Ltd. Both parties first met as award winners at the Evening Gazette sports awards in Middlesbrough in December 2006. The Bears won the Motorsport award and the injury centre the Business in Sport award.

Within the initial threshold agreement brokered by the club's Director of Operations Gareth Rogers and the injury centre's company secretary Gwen Dalgleish: team members with receive treatment and advice at the company's University of Teesside Headquarters within 72 hours of notification. During rehabilitation the riders will have access to university faclities such as the gym and biomechanic labs. Workshops will also be available to the squad for areas such as strength and conditioning, nutrition and sports psychology. All sports therapists assigned to the Bears will hold a B.Sc Honours degree and be registered with the Society of Sports Therapists.

First to book in for muscoskelatal screening was club captain Gary Havelock who broke his back during his international career. Stated Gareth: 'I am also a Vice-President of Britain's leading Athletics club, the Birchfield Harriers (Birmingham), and I have long recognised the standard of medical care that we provide from club athlete to Olympic Gold Medallist. I am personally delighted to introduce such a scheme into professional speedway racing and the Redcar Bears in particular.'

Stated Gwen: ' We are pleased as new company to associate ourselves with another rising force in Teesside sport. We have made provision with Gareth to review the sponsorship as the season progresses with contingency plans to include the Cleveland Bays and the Academy League racers on a discount scheme.'

Pictured: Club captain Gary Havelock receives his first assessment from Gwen Dalgleish By Colin Poole

DISAPPOINTED DAN
Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 16th February 2007
Bears rider of the year Dan Giffard is still hoping to attract his first local sponsor after what had looked a certain deal came to nothing. "I'm really disappointed," said Giffard. "I'd been promised £700 from a potential sponsor but it seems to have fallen through. It doesn't cost as much as you might think to sponsor a speedway rider and I'm really hoping someone else will step in because it will help me get to the next level."

Anyone interested is asked to contact Gareth Rogers on 07901 844924 or at gareth@redcarspeedway.co.uk
 

SHANE'S A BEAR FOR THE NIGHT
Tuesday 14th February 2007
Glasgow’s Shane Parker will be donning a Bears’ jacket for the night when he rides in the Kevin Little Farewell meeting on 5th April. The Australian star was top man in the Bears’ side just over a decade ago when he topped the averages in the final two seasons of racing at Cleveland Park, so he is sure of a great welcome on the night.

“Shane’s still a legend down here, I know that,” said Kevin. “He was an obvious choice for the team and I’m delighted he has agreed to ride. Obviously he’s done so much for Glasgow too, and I hope the Tigers’ fans will travel down to see him. He’s still an important figure in speedway, an entertainer on the track and the SRA man also.”

Teams competing in Kevin’s events will be the Bears, the Diamonds, the Monarchs and the Comets. “The sides are the last four I rode for, no disrespect to my other teams whose fans I hope will come along as well, but I thought that was the fairest way to do it.”

RIDERS IN THE MAIN EVENT SO FAR:
Stuart Robson (Rye House), Gary Havelock (Redcar), Kauko Nieminen (Workington), Chris Kerr (Redcar), William Lawson (Edinburgh), Shane Parker (Glasgow).
 

ROGERS STAYING PUT
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 8th February 2007
Director of operations Gareth Rogers has no intention of following Redcar Bears promoter Chris van Straaten through the South Tees Motorsports Park exit door. Van Straaten is looking for a locally-based partner or maybe even to sell up completely - but Rogers has insisted: "I'm in it for the long haul."

Both men are based in the West Midlands but Rogers says he has no problem with the journey and that he would consider an enhanced role. He said: "I have other interests I am beginning to develop in the area including a major new motorsport project with my business partner.

"Chris has spoken to me about moving up to Teesside and that is still not off the agenda. I look forward to getting into my car and driving up to the area."

# Tickets are still available for next Thursday's social evening at Liberty's in Town. Ring Brian Havelock on 01642 888780.
 

REDCAR SOCIAL EVENING
By Martin Neal Evening Gazette ~ Tuesday 6th February 2007
PROMOTER Chris van Straaten - who recently announced he was looking for a locally-based partner or even to walk away from the Redcar Bears - will answer questions from fans at a club social evening at Liberty’s in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, on Thursday February, 15 (7.30pm). Several riders are also expected to attend the event which also features a race night, quiz and pie and pea supper. Gareth Rogers will be the MC.

Tickets, priced £5, are available by calling Brian Havelock on 01642 888780.
 

BEARS BOSS IN PLEA FOR PARTNER
By Martin Neal Evening Gazette ~ Friday 2nd February 2007
REDCAR Bears supremo Chris van Straaten is seeking a local partner to help take the club to the next level - and he hasn’t ruled out walking away completely. But the club owner, who with director of operations Gareth Rogers brought speedway back to Teesside after almost 10 years last April, has stressed  it does NOT cast any doubt over the sport’s future at South Tees Motorsports Park.

The Bears enjoyed a stunning debut season in 2006, reaching the championship play-offs and consistently attracting some of the biggest crowds in the Premier League. In addition the Cleveland Bays are set to compete in this year’s Conference League and the track hosts a popular training school. But van Straaten made his decision due to the long journey to Teesside from his West Midlands base, coupled with his existing role as promoter of Elite League club Wolves, plus administrative duties with both the BSPA and ACU.

“At the end of the season I was looking forward to a relaxing November,” he explained, “but now I have realised that it’s not going to get any easier and, on top of that, I am almost a year older than I was at the start of last season. The speedway facility at South Tees Motorsports Park is fantastic and has outstanding potential. From a training point of view, I believe it has the potential to be the British School of Speedway Excellence. I am very proud of playing my part in the birth of a dream. To put it crudely, it is now walking. But it needs local involvement and investment to take it to the next step because I am not in a position to do it alone.

I’ve always been very ‘hands on’ in whatever I do - even when I had my engineering business I used to open up and lock up. But it takes me four hours just to get to South Tees Motorsports Park. My personal vision was to move to the area when it opened but, because of family reasons, that has not been possible. I am not looking to walk away, but to attract local involvement. That said, if anybody suitable steps forward and doesn’t want me to stick around, I won’t. I want to make it clear that this in no way casts any doubt over either the Redcar Bears or Cleveland Bays.”

Van Straaten is one of the sport’s most experienced and respected promoters and there can be no doubt that his motives are for the good of speedway on Teesside. That he is eager to continue in a co-promoting role rather than simply selling up demonstrates that he is not just out to make a fast buck and he has stressed he considers local involvement more important than any subsequent financial input.
 
“It’s a long term project,” he promised. “We have a long term lease. I have met some wonderful people but, perhaps understandably, I have been thought of as an outsider by some. Sometimes it is easier for local people to be involved at the top. This speedway track has tremendous potential and I want to see it move on to the next level and it will thrive with local interest.” Anyone interested in becoming involved should call 07796 441850.
 

BIG EVENTS LIST CONFIRMED
BSPA ~ Thursday 1st February 2007
BRITISH Speedway's biggest events are ready to race into an exciting new era... with the launch of the Super7even series. Tickets are on sale now for the flagship meetings to be staged up and down the country in what promises to be another thrilling season of shale action. Apart from the racing itself, more emphasis will be placed on presentation with special guests and other attractions at each of the 'big seven'.

Venues and dates have been carefully picked to maximise the potential in terms of rider availability and neutral venues to throw competition wide open. It promises to be a real summer of fun for all ages - and hopefully new fans who will taste the amazing excitement of this great sport for the first time. Remember, speedway machines have no brakes and riders often reach speeds of 70mph over four breathtaking laps!

The complete Super7even list offers a mothwatering opportunity for fans to see the best riders from both the Elite and Premier Leagues do battle at the very top of their sport.

British Speedway chairman Pete Toogood said: "This is one of the most exciting line-ups I have ever seen and I have great pleasure in presenting it to the rest of the country. British Speedway should see an explosion of public and media interest thanks to what we are trying to achieve with Super7even, it’s racing, entertainment and excitement all rolled into one!’

Super7even series director is ambitious young King's Lynn co-promoter Jonathan Chapman. He said: "We have listened to the fans and the sponsors and we have delivered, we have an amazing year ahead of us and I hope the fans of old and new turn out in force to support the meetings. If they do then every year it will get better and better just like the Speedway Grand Prix series. For example this year we have arranged for the UK Freestyle Motorcross team to put on a display before the Elite League Pairs, who’s to say it won’t be a rock band like Jon Bon Jovi in a few years time?

"We have the ambition and determination and with the superb quality of riders we have representing the clubs in the UK we can go all the way!"

Organisers are pleased to confirm the events have the full support of the SRA - Speedway Riders' Association - which ensures greater co-operation from the riders. The Super7even website is now on line for advanced tickets, click on www.super7even.com and there is an advanaced ticket hotline on 0871 2300 010.
 

SUPER7EVEN LINE-UP:

* SATURDAY APRIL 7 - 7pm ~ ELITE LEAGUE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Norfolk Arena, King's Lynn

* SATURDAY APRIL 28 - 7.30 ~ BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL
Arlington Stadium, Eastbourne

* SUNDAY MAY 13 - 2pm ~ PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS CHAMPIONSHIP
East of England Showground, Peterborough

* MONDAY JUNE 4 - 7.30 ~ BRITISH FINAL
Monmore Green Stadium, Wolverhampton

* FRIDAY JUNE 29 - 7.30 ~ PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS
Oak Tree Arena, Somerset

* THURSDAY AUGUST 30 - 7.30 ~ ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield

* SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30 - 6pm # PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP
Abbey Stadium, Swindon
 

Advance Tickets are available from today for all the events and more information on qualification rules, tyres and admission charges are available from the website, www.super7even.com