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LATEST NEWS FEBRUARY 2008
HITMEN AWAIT CUBS IN OPENER
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Wednesday 27th February 2008
THE newly-renamed Redcar Cubs will launch their Conference League campaign with a home match against Buxton Hitmen on Saturday, April 12. And the Cubs - formerly known as the Cleveland Bays - will have the benefit of a warm-up fixture the previous night when they visit Boston in a challenge match. The CL fixtures, announced this week, see most of the Cubs’ home matches scheduled to take place at South Tees Motorsports Park on a Saturday. Promoter Glyn Taylor hopes to start those meetings at 6pm, though he must first get Redcar and Cleveland Council to agree a change in their planning consent.
The Cubs will also make two appearances on a Thursday night - against Scunthorpe on May 22 and Boston on August 21 - on dates left blank in the Bears’ fixture list. The Cubs will again be backed by Simpson Racing UK, the company owned by former Middlesbrough junior racer Barry Simpson. In a four-figure deal, they will supply fuel for the season and help skipper Gary Beaton, Martin Emerson and David Wallinger. Bears stars Gary Havelock, James Grieves, Chris Kerr and Josh Auty will also benefit from Simpson Racing UK’s backing.
THE race jacket worn by Bears skipper Gary Havelock in last year’s Garry Stead benefit meeting at Sheffield is to be auctioned. The body colour will go under the hammer at this Friday’s BSG social night at Liberty’s in Middlesbrough on Friday. All money raised will go to the fund set up to help popular former rider Stead who was left confined to a wheelchair after a crash at Stoke last season.
REDCAR CUBS 2008 FIXTURES HERE
REDCAR SPEEDWAY GAINS PRESTIGIOUS COMPANY SPONSORSHIP
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 25th February 2008
The Redcar Speedway Club are pleased to announce that after two successful years of speedway racing at the South Tees Motorsport Park - both the Premier League Bears and the Conference League Cubs are to be sponsored by TLS Vehicle Hire of Cowpen Lane, Billingham. TLS operates outlets throughout the North East region and the UK and provide mainly commercial vehicles for large blue-chip companies and small businesses plus cars for general hire. They have 400 vehicles for hire at the Billingham branch alone. TLS is part of the General Electric Group - the third largest corporation in the world.
In addition to a conventional sponsorship of the TLS Bears and the TLS Cubs - the deal involves the provision of vans for riders and the regular use of the speedway arena's Hodgson Lounge to entertain staff and regional clients. Steve Dickinson, General manager for the TLS branchs in the North East and Yorkshire commented: 'This is our first venture into sports sponsorship and we are excited about our involvement with such a high profile and successful team as the Redcar Bears and the emerging talent of the Redcar Cubs. We want to get the TLS brand out into the local area and it could be said that the speedway club is the 'ideal vehicle'.
Redcar owner Glyn Taylor added: 'This is real recognition for what we as a club have achieved in such a short time on Teesside. To have such a prestigious company as TLS Vehicle hire on board is excellent. Steve has indicated that several of their local business clients will be guests on race evening. So seeing our brand of sporting spectacle and entertainment for the first time. That can only strengthen the club further.' Glyn also recorded his full praise for the club's Community Development Officer Steve Harland who was assigned to pursue this commercial opportunity built on the platform of the excellent media partnerships that the club has built up since April 2006.
Further company details on: www.tls.co.uk 
SIMPSON RACING UK SIGNS MAJOR SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH REDCAR SPEEDWAY
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 25th February 2008
Former Middlesbrough Speedway junior racer Barry Simpson who cut his teeth in shale oval racing at the former Cleveland Park Stadium has signed a multi-thousand pound sponsorship with the Redcar Speedway Club based at the South Tees Motorsport Park. Barry enjoyed an eventful speedway career moving from second halves to ride for the Felton Flyers at Newcastle in 1980 followed by signing for the Newcastle Diamonds the same year. He broke his wrist during the latter half of that season which sidelined him. He had by then finished top of the SJL League averages and captained the SJL team against the Anglia Junior League Select team in challenges which took place. In 1981 he re-signed for Newcastle and also rode again for the Felton Flyers until given the chance to ride for Division One club the Hull Vikings. This team included former World Champion Ivan Mauger.
Barry, also a former top regional and national grass track rider, will sponsor the Redcar Cubs Conference League team with Methanol - the sport's racing fuel - for the entire season as well as providing Cubs skipper Gary Beaton and team-mates Martin Emerson and David Wallinger individually with lubricants. This is the third season that Simpson has backed the club's junior section. At senior club level his company Simpson Racing UK will sponsor club captain and former World Champion Gary Havelock plus James Grieves, Chris Kerr and Josh Auty with lubricants and other products throughout season 2008. Havelock will enjoy a two-year lubrication deal with his racing boots also being provided for this forthcoming campaign. Through a tie-up with GT Tuning who sell Simpson Racing UK's SRM Evo Racing Castor, both Bears' newcomer Ty Proctor and returnee Arlo Bugeja will be using the product as part of the Australian's own contract deals.
Stated Barry on his recent return from 3 weeks of Enduro Racing in Brazil: 'What I am doing is out of a passion for the sport and also for Redcar Speedway. I remember my own days as a young 'Tiger Cub' at Cleveland Park and how hard it was to get the budget to go racing. At the same time, my company's involvement with such high profile stars as Gary Havelock is a sign of the reputation that the products enjoy and we also receive qualified feedback in our quest for constant improvement and an increased share of the national market - although any profit is ploughed back into the sponsorship and PR side of the business. SRM Evo Racing Castor has been endorsed by many engine tuners and the product is now gaining world wide sales.'
Further details on www.simpsonracinguk.co.uk or via Barry on 07973 754518
REDCAR BEARS SUPPORT NEWCASTLE SKY INITIATIVE
By Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 22nd February 2008
Normally Tyne-Tees speedway issues are highly charged affairs and long may that continue but an initiative from Newcastle Diamonds co-promoter Darryl Illingworth will earn the support of the Redcar Bears management. For the Diamonds boss has thrown down the gauntlet to Sky Sports executive producer Rory Hopkins about his comments on the possible broadcasting of Premier League matches.
Darryl states: 'It was reported that Sky are seriously considering showing a Scottish clash between Edinburgh and Glasgow but I would like to suggest a Newcastle versus Redcar local derby would have equally as much passion and excitement. There is always a big crowd whenever Newcastle and Redcar meet and, with both teams looking strong and expected to be among the top sides in the Premier League, there would be a fantastic atmosphere. So it would be good if Sky kept us in mind as well.'
Commented the Bears' Director of Operations Gareth Rogers, himself a former TV and radio broadcaster: 'We like what we hear coming out of the Diamonds camp on this occasion and although the Bears have been the dominant team over the past two seasons there is no doubt that Newcastle have put together a very competitive squad for 2008. I would take even take Darryl's point further and say that the Premier League as a whole deserves a lot more coverage out of the sport's Sky contract. It is an evenly balanced professional division of 17 teams featuring class riders. As our captain, Gary Havelock, is a Sky commentator - we'll have to get him lobbying Rory Hopkins!'
The Diamonds will be at the South Tees Motorsport Park as early as Thursday March 27th in the Premier Trophy one week after the season opens for the Bears against Stoke. The Bears will already have visited Brough Park on Sunday March 23rd in the same regional competition. The Premier League clash that could earn TV coverage would be on Sunday August 3rd at Brough Park.
MAUGER TO READ BEARS' MINDS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Wednesday 20th February 2008
Multi-World Champion Ivan Mauger OBE MBE is to conduct a private training session at the South Tees Motorsport Park including a psychometric assessment of the Redcar Bears speedway team. This will be behind closed doors on Sunday March 9th following an open training school for riders from all over the country at the speedway arena on Saturday March 8th. Both sessions will start in the morning.
Commented Redcar Bears boss Glyn Taylor: 'It is an honour to have a rider who won the World individual title on six occasions out of his aggregate of a dozen gold medals in various competitions to take my team through Ivan's reknowned: 'What makes a winner'. Since retiring, Ivan has been the inspiration behind some of the sports greatest talents such as Kenny Carter, four-times World Champion Hans Nielsen and five-times World Longtrack Champion Simon Wigg. He has the ability to look into a rider and find their failings, no matter how good a rider is, and improve their performance. The guys in the team will now be set up for the season.'
Ivan will present a NEB clutch worth £700 to the Bear that he feels has made the most improvement on the day - so quite an incentive for Daniel Giffard, Chris Kerr, Josh Auty, Arlo Bugeja and newcomer Ty Proctor.
The Bears' first match is at home to the Stoke Potters on Thursday March 20th from 7.30pm and the boys will no doubt be keen to put their enhanced performance potential into operation on track.
KERR IN SEARCH OF SPONSORSHIP URGENTLY
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 18th February 2008
Redcar Bears' American rider Chris Kerr faces a crucial third season at the South Tees Motorsport Park. The Californian favourite must achieve an 8 point average in the Premier League this season in order to have his work permit renewed for season 2009. He also goes into the new campaign with a set of new off-track challenges including parting company with Team Enzville Racing who had provided his bikes and mechanical support since 2006 plus setting up joint accommodation and facilities in Wolverhampton, West Midlands with team-mates Daniel Giffard and Ty Proctor.
This means attracting new investment into machinery and tools. As such Chris is urgently seeking sponsorship in the Tees Valley conurbation and is being latterly assisted in his quest by the Redcar Bears' Director of Operations Gareth Rogers. Rogers is able to advise new backers on what extra benefits the club may assist with such as publicity and pits access on top of the profile and personal involvement that the charismatic and popular Kerr brings to the party.
Commented Gareth: 'I would be pleased to hear from those who may have warm contacts as well, of course, who would like to directly come on board.' He can be contacted on enquiries@redcarspeedway.co.uk or 07901 844 924.
GARY BEATON NAMED AS REDCAR CUBS SKIPPER
By Redcar Speedway ~ Thursday 14th February 2008
21-year-old Gary Beaton, a successful member of the former Cleveland Bays squad, has been nominated as captain of the new-look Redcar Cubs for the 2008 Conference League season. Gary had some Premier League experience with the Glasgow Tigers before basing himself at the South Tees Motorpark and is familiar with the bulk of his charges. A newcomer to the squad will be 23-year-old Australian Scott James who brings sustained and successful experience Conference League experience to the Cubs cause.
Scott won a league winners' medal with Mildenhall and the Best Pairs title with former Cleveland Bays skipper Mark Burrows when in the colours of Wimbledon. Scott is likely to ride at number one with skipper Beaton and the rising star 'Wee' Greg Blair as his key points-scoring support.
16-year-old Blair the winner of last season's 'Rider of the Year' award is fully recovered from his accident at the Motorpark later that season and has been practicing regularly at Scunthorpe Speedway in the close season. Also returning from injury is last season's 'Most Improved Rider' David Wallinger. He will form a very promising reserve pairing with Stokesley based Guy Kendrew who has a season with the Stoke Spitfires under his belt. Also in the mix is another locally-born rider Martin Emerson who has also made appearances for the Redcar Bears Premier League team and 19-year-old New Zealander Jade Mudgway who was runner-up in his country's Under 21 Finals.
Provisional line up:
1. Scott James 2. Martin Emerson 3. Jade Mudgway 4. Gary Beaton (C) 5. Greg Blair 6. David Wallinger 7. Guy Kendrew
Also in the back-up squad are Rusty Hodgson and Steven Jones who rode consistently for the former Bays last season. Commented Cubs Team Manager Jason Pipe: 'I believe that the team that has been assembled will give us more strength in depth and every rider is capable of adding to his current average. This is a team that excites me and I'm sure our fans will like the way the team has been put together.'
Jason will be accommodating Kiwi newcomer Jade Mudgway at his Middlesbrough home and is putting out an appeal to assist Jade to find employment as he is riding as an Amateur. Jade is a fully qualified Motorcycle Mechanic with such as City and Guilds qualifications. If any one can offer Jade temporary work or if you know someone who can then please contact Jason on 01642 294455 or 07809736558.
TALENTS HONED FOR HOME CROWDS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 14th February 2008
RISING star Guy Kendrew is coming home after signing for Redcar Cubs. The 20-year-old from Faceby, near Stokesley, became interested in speedway when South Tees Motorsports Park opened just under two years ago. A former trials rider who competed at British Championship level, he knew he wanted to switch sports after riding a 125cc speedway bike at the South Bank venue’s first community day in 2006. He invested in one of former Boro Bear Scott Robson’s bikes and spent last year riding for Stoke Spitfires in the Conference League. Stoke’s decision to run only at Premier League level in 2008 paved the way for a move “home” and now he will wear the No 7 jacket for the Cubs this term after being snapped up by new club owner Glyn Taylor.
“I think riding out of the way at Stoke last year was good,” said Kendrew. “There wasn’t as much pressure on me - but I’m ready to ride on my home track now. My first season was really a steep learning curve. I didn’t realise how hard it was! When I was practising over the winter I was riding by myself and I didn’t realise what a step up it was riding with three other people. I made a few mistakes last season, but I learned from them. I’ve been to all the tracks now so I know what set-up to use and I’ve got new engines for this season too.”
By today’s standards he’s something of a late starter to speedway when you consider that the CL now allows riders to compete at the age of 15. But he’s ready to make up for lost time, especially as the rebranded Cubs’ primary aim is to provide up-and- coming talent with a stepping stone into the Premier League with the Bears.
“I’m hoping to continue my progress this year,” he said. “In fact it’s a make or break year for me because, if I don’t progress as much as I think I should, I’ll have to consider whether I should carry on in the sport. But I don’t think it will come to that. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I will be scoring points on a consistent basis.”
Kendrew is the third new face in the Cubs team for this season, following the signings of Scott James and Jade Mudgway. Greg Blair has also been named as a confirmed starter - and it can now be confirmed that Gary Beaton, David Wallinger and Martin Emerson will also be back. Beaton will skipper the side while Ashley Johnson has been offered the No 8 berth. Rusty Hodgson, Steven Jones, Jitendra Duffill, Mike Pickering and Jamie Swales have all indicated they would like to ride regular second halves on a Thursday and be considered for a squad place.
TEESSIDER SIGNS FOR LOCAL CLUB
By Redcar Speedway ~ Wednesday 13th February 2008
20-year-old Guy Kendrew from Faceby near Stokesley is joining the Redcar Cubs Conference League squad after first seeing speedway racing when the sport was re-introduced to Teesside at the South Tees Motorsport Park, Middlesbrough in 2006. Guy has an extensive background in trails riding but was attracted to speedway by following the sport at the Motorpark.
He confirmed: 'I wanted to get into racing and had thoughts about moto-cross,But I got hooked when I saw speedway and wanted to concentrate on that.' Last season Guy gained invaluable experience in his rookie year as a member of the Stoke Spitfires Conference League team but is really looking forward to 'coming home' and showing what he has learnt.
Guy will be at a pre-season social featuring members of both the Premier League Redcar Bears and the junior Cubs on Friday February 29th at Libertys in Middlesbrough. Fuller details of the social evening from Jason Pipe on 07809736558 or Brian Havelock on 01642 888780.
IVAN MAUGER TO CONDUCT TRAINING SESSION AT SOUTH TEES
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 11th February 2008
Ivan Mauger MBE OBE is to conduct a private training session with five of the current Redcar Bears speedway squad on Sunday March 9th at the South Tees Motorsport Park, South Bank Road, Middlesbrough. The rider voted as the greatest speedway rider of the 20th century after 15 World Championship Gold Medals ,including six as World Speedway Champion and three as World Longtrack Champion at individual level plus two as World Pairs Champion and four as World Team Cup Champion, will tutor Bears' younger riders Daniel Giffard, Chris Kerr, Arlo Bugeja, Ty Proctor and Josh Auty on various aspects of speedway racing - especially mental approach and gating technique. Ivan was acknowledged as having exceptional focus before race meetings and outstanding reactions at the starting gate in his long and distinguished career.
Although a New Zealander from Christchurch, Ivan is now a resident of Australia and matters were tied up by Bears' new club owner Glyn Taylor during his own visit down under in recent weeks. Glyn commented: 'We already feel that we have assembled a competitive team for the new Premier League season which starts at the Motorpark on Thursday March 20th against Stoke but this is the icing on the cake in terms of our pre-season preparation. Once Ivan has worked his magic - our lads will be well up for the tasks ahead'
Away from this intensive session with Messrs Giffard, Kerr, Bugeja, Proctor and Auty - Ivan will have conducted general training sessions at Birmingham Speedway on Wednesday March 5th and Redcar Speedway during the day of Saturday March 8th. He will arrive in the UK at the end of February and opportunities/contact details for media interviews will be advised in due course. Further career details are available on www.ivanmauger.com. Ivan's first individual World title in 1968 was when he was riding for the Newcastle Diamonds. Glyn Taylor is also a former Newcastle Diamond.
KIWI STARLET JOINS THE CUBS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 11th February 2008
Jade Mudgway, who finished second in the New Zealand Under 21 Final, has been signed by the Redcar Speedway Club on the recommendation of six-times World Speedway Champion Ivan Mauger MBE OBE. Redcar club principal Glyn Taylor has been in active contact with the legendary Mauger over a training school that the multi-champion will operate at the South Tees Motorpark on Saturday March 8th.
It is hoped that Jade may be over in time to receive further guidance from his mentor on his new home track. The youngster will ride the 2008 season as a member of the Redcar Cubs Conference League squad while he is assessed for a potential move to the senior Redcar Bears Premier League team in season 2009. Under current regulations governing new Commonwealth riders - Jade can only ride at Conference League or amateur level in his first season in Britain.
Commented Glyn: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for all parties. I am grateful to Ivan for his input. New Zealand has an outstanding record in the history of our sport of producing talent and we look forward to welcoming the latest off the conveyer belt to Teesside.'
MEDIA MATTERS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 8th February 2008
Bears' Director of Operations Gareth Rogers has developed what is believed to be an unprecedented promotional link with local Premiership football club Middlesbrough as part of a general expansion of media awareness in the Tees Valley conurbation. Gareth has confirmed that the Boro's official website www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk will carry previews of all fixtures at the South Tees Motorsport Park in 2008, while the club's fanzine 'Fly me to the Moon' on www.fmttmboro.com will also show home match reports as well as previews. In addition, home fixtures will be covered by Radio Routes @ The Riverside on www.mediaroutes.org.uk a youth community radio project based at the football stadium.
The Bears' co-founder commented: 'I thank Mike McGreary at Premium TV, who service the major clubs, for being so responsive to our approach and to Robert Nicholls, from the fanzine, who will be a dedicated reporter at the Motorpark on racedays. Rob likes his speedway and is already banging the drum about what a great night out speedway is for uninitiated football fans. This is a valuable new marketing exercise and the fact that the football stadium and the speedway arena are less than a mile apart should encourage further support'
Existing relationships with the regional Evening Gazette, BBC Tees and commercial station Magic 1170 are also to be enhanced. BBC Tees have confirmed that Gareth will continue to voice reports of all Bears home and away fixtures for their breakfast show and have appointed reporter Matt Newsum to oversee the online operation so that there will be increased coverage of all issues relating to the Bears and the Conference League Cubs. Gareth has also been invited to join the station's 'People's Panel' and will be the guest of breakfast presenter Matthew Davies on Monday March 17th, between 8.30am and 10am, to talk about the launch of the season on March 20th and to discuss the morning's news issues.
Magic 1170, meanwhile, have also confirmed their continuing interest in 2008 with their breakfast presnter Alan Ross having been made an 'instant convert' after witnessing last season's Young Shield successes for the Bears. Bears fans will be offered the chance to win tickets in a pre-season competition 'on-air' as part of the run-up to the opening home fixture v Stoke.
Evening Gazette speedway correspondent Martin Neal is also set to introduce a 'Bears Blog' on www.gazettelive.co.uk The intention is to update it as often as possible and use content that otherwise wouldn't make it to the paper. There will also be the opportunity to use photographs and Martin will be inviting readers to comment on what he's written and offer feedback.
Gareth concluded: 'It takes time to build up media relationships but the jigsaw is progressing each year. I believe our tie-up with a Premiership football club is so far unique in the sport and I hope that it will encourage a pattern to emerge elsewhere. Now with his ticking, my attention can turn to our initiatives on school visits, which are primarily undertaken by our charismatic American rider Chris Kerr.'
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