LATEST NEWS MARCH 2008

KERR OPERATION UPDATE
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 31st March 2008
Chris Kerr has undergone a successful operation on Monday to plate the broken tibia and fibula in his right leg. He has been advised that he cannot put weight on that leg for one month but intends to then get into the gym to rebuild muscle strength in the limb. At that point the medics will advise when he can resume riding with the initial diagnosis being late June/early July.

Mark Van Straaten visited him in Scunthorpe after the operation and reports Chris to be in good spirits and already planning ahead.
 

TALE OF THE TIGERS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 31st March 2008
It's FRIDAY evening speedway at the South Tees Motorsport Park, South Bank Road, Middlesbrough this week as the Redcar 'TLS' Bears take on the high-flying Sheffield Tigers in Premier Trophy North action starting at 7.30pm. The Tigers are the pre-season favourites of the national speedway press to win the Premier League and are already leading the Northern section of the Trophy competition. The Bears will face them them at the Owlerton Stadium on the Thursday evening before Friday's return at home.

Bears' team manager Brian Havelock will juggle his current resources after American Chris Kerr broke the fibula and tibula of his right leg in a heat nine crash at Scunthorpe Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Brian will operate the rider replacement rule at number two with Aussie sensation moving to number five in the riding order. This rule allows other team members to cover Chris' programmed rides within certain averages limitations. 21-year-old Proctor scored ten and four bonus points at Scunthorpe with his last to first victory in the last heat decider salvaging a point for the Bears with a 45-45 final score at the Lincolnshire circuit.

Chris was scheduled to have his fractures plated on Monday afternoon with medical updates available on the club website www.redcarspeedway.co.uk or from the club hotline on 09068 664 665 (calls charged at 60p per minute).

Having withdrawn from the home draw with Newcastle with a chest complaint and breathing difficulties then missing the match at Scunthorpe - James Grieves is fully expected to line up for the TLS Bears at both Sheffield on Thursday and the Motorpark on Friday and his prescence will be vital. Sheffield are spearheaded by former League Riders' Champion Andre Compton and another club stalwart Ricky Ashworth. Man to also pose a danger is Paul Cooper with the all-round motorcyclist having shown a particular liking for the 271 metre track on his previous visits. The meeting will be sponsored by LF Direct - Real Wood and Laminate Flooring Specialists - of Middlesbrough.

REDCAR 'TLS' BEARS
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. R/R for Chris Kerr, 3. James Grieves, 4. Josh Auty, 5. Ty Proctor, 6. Arlo Bugeja, 7. Daniel Giffard, Team Manager - Brian Havelock

SHEFFIELD TIGERS
1. Ricky Ashworth, 2. Joel Parsons, 3. Andre Compton (C), 4. Paul Cooper, 5. Ben Wilson, 6. Sam Martin, 7. Lee Smethills, Team Manager - Eric Boocock

Meanwhile it has been announced that the round of the Silkolene UK Short-Track Championship postponed at the South Tees Motorsport Park last Saturday evening will be re-staged on the afternoon of Sunday July 6th.
 

AGONY FOR KERR
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 31st March 2008
AMERICAN ace Chris Kerr has broken his leg in two places and will be out of action for up to three months. The popular Redcar TLS Bears star’s sickening early season injury took the gloss off his side’s 45-45 Premier Trophy draw at Scunthorpe yesterday - achieved after a stunning last heat victory by man of the moment Ty Proctor. The Bears had thought the horrendous injury problems that plagued them throughout 2007 were in the past, but now they face a long spell without one of their most prolific riders.

Kerr had started the season in awesome form and had won both his first two races yesterday before tangling with Viktor Bergström at the first turn in heat nine. The crash ruled both riders out of the meeting - the Swede with elbow ligament damage and Kerr with a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg. “It wasn’t an especially heavy crash,” lamented team boss Brian Havelock, “but Chris said he knew it was broken immediately. He was due to have an operation today to plate it and I think we’re looking at three months without him. We were hoping to bring in Adam Roynon as a guest for our matches with Sheffield on Thursday and Friday, but we can’t do that. We’ll have to use rider replacement although the problem with that is we can only use Josh Auty, Ty Proctor and the two reserves to take his rides so, after this week I think we’re going to have to re-declare our 1-7. He’ll be difficult to replace. His average is 5.56 but he’s been flying this season and averaging around nine a meeting.”

The Bears had already gone into the meeting short-handed, with heat leader James Grieves forced to miss out due to the chest infection which curtailed his involvement in last Thursday’s derby clash against Newcastle. The good news, however, is that he should be fit for this Thursday’s trip to Owlerton. The Bears were two points up at the time of Kerr’s crash, and Havelock believes his side would have recorded their first victory of the season had they not lost him. “I couldn’t see us losing,” he said. “It’s two points that have got away really.”

As it was, the Scorpions almost snatched the win themselves - and would have done but for Proctor’s heroics. With the score standing at 42-42, Richard Hall and Magnus Karlsson made the gate in the final race and, with visiting skipper Gary Havelock at the back, were on course for what would have been a decisive 5-1. But Proctor took less than a lap to pass Hall and then, after breathing down his exhaust for two laps, passed Karlsson to make sure of the draw. “Gary’s bike dropped its guts at the start,” said Havelock Snr, “so there’s something wrong there and he went straight into the workshop when he got back to sort it out. It was a tremendous ride from Ty - he did really well to pass their two.”

Though Kerr’s injury will be the abiding memory of yesterday’s match, the Bears can at least take some consolation from the improved performances of Josh Auty - who won twice at his former track - and Dan Giffard.

SCORPIONS
Magnus Karlsson 13, Richard Hall 10+1 Andrew Moore 7+1, Carl Wilkinson 6+1, Byron Bekker 5+2, Benji Compton 4+1, Viktor Bergström (w/d) 0.

BEARS
Gary Havelock 11+1, Josh Auty, Ty Proctor 10+4, Dan Giffard 7+2, Chris Kerr (w/d) 6, Arlo Bugeja 0, James Grieves R/R.

SATURDAY’S scheduled Short Track UK Championship meeting at South Tees Motorsports Park was rained off. However the series returns to Teesside on Sunday, July 6.
 

CHRIS KERR
By Redcar Speedway ~ Sunday 30th March 2008
After recording two heat wins in the match at Scunthorpe on Sunday afternoon - Chris Kerr was involved in first-bend bunching with the Scorpions' Viktor Bergstrom in heat nine. Our American star sustained a broken tibula and fibula of his right leg and will undergo an operation to plate the fractures at Scunthorpe General on Monday afternoon.

Fans are requested not to contact the hospital but respect the pressure on their switchboard. Updates will be provided on the website and the hotline.

In Chris's absence rider replacement will be operated against Sheffield at home and away. However Glyn Taylor has confirmed that he is already drawing up a shortlist of temporary replacements - some with recent Premier League experience and at least one recommendation from Sweden.
 

BEARS SWEATING ON GRIEVES' FITNESS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 29th March 2008
REDCAR TLS Bears are sweating on the fitness of Flying Scotsman James Grieves ahead of tomorrow’s rearranged Premier Trophy trip to Scunthorpe (3pm start). Grieves had to pull out of Thursday’s 45-45 draw with Newcastle because of a chest infection and would have missed the match against the Scorpions had it gone ahead as scheduled last night. But, when the fixture was rained off, it gave him a fighting chance of riding.

“I rang him yesterday morning and he was really croaky,” said manager Brian Havelock. “He could hardly speak. “But we’ll see how he is tomorrow. If he has to miss out, we’ll use rider replacement or bring in a guest.” Both sides are looking for their first win of the season as Josh Auty returns to the track where he burst onto the scene at 15 and was such a huge favourite during their all-conquering Conference League days.

SCORPIONS
1 Andrew Moore, 2 Carl Wilkinson, 3 Magnus Karlsson, 4 Viktor Bergström, 5 Richard Hall, 6 Byron Bekker, 7 Benji Compton.

BEARS
1 Gary Havelock, 2 Ty Proctor, 3 James Grieves (if fit), 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Arlo Bugeja, 7 Dan Giffard.
 

U-TURN BY PROMISING REDCAR CUB
By Redcar Speedway ~ Friday 28th March 2008
After a series of dialogues with the Redcar TLS/Simpson Racing UK team manager Jason Pipe during the past week - David Wallinger who had announced his retirement earlier in the month has agreed to race in the Conference League for 2008 after all. Commented Jason: 'David is now raring to go and can't wait for his season to start and I'm sure the fans will get behind him 100%. I'm pleased he has sorted his off-track problems out and I do believe that David is a rider for the future and will one day reach his dream of becoming a Redcar Bear in the Premier League.' David won the junior version of 'The most improved rider' at the club's 2007 end-of-season awards.

Jason continued: 'Having signed Aussie Aaron Summers in the previous 24 hours and now with David Wallinger having agreed to ride, I do believe that we can hit that 4th spot in the league to qualify for the Play Off’s.'

The provisional Cubs line-uo for their first fixture against the Boston Barracudas at the Norfolk Arena in a challenge match on Wednesday April 9th is;
1. Scott James 2. Martin Emerson 3. Jade Mudgway 4. Gary Beaton (C) 5. Aaron Summers 6. David Wallinger 7. Guy Kendrew

The first home match in the Conference League is on Saturday April 12th at the Motorpark when the Redcar 'TLS/Simpson Racing UK' Cubs take on the Buxton Hitmen. Start time to be confirmed in subsequent media releases. New Zealander Mudgeway made his track debut at the South Tees Motorpark on Thursday evening in the second-half event - posting two encouraging victories in the process.
 

REVENGE HOPES
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 27th March 2008
DERBY day honours are up for grabs for the second time in four days tonight - and Redcar TLS Bears are determined to exact sweet revenge on their closest rivals. Newcastle Diamonds scored a 52-38 Premier Trophy win over the Bears in Byker on Sunday, and tonight they visit South Tees Motorsports Park for the return leg (7.30pm start). Bad weather has twice denied Redcar the chance to get their home campaign under way and they also slipped to defeat in last weekend’s other Premier Trophy group match at Stoke.

Josh Auty failed to hit top form in either of the Bears’ two meetings so far, while Dan Giffard returned just one point at Newcastle - but team manager Brian Havelock believes they can get back on track tonight. “Newcastle were cock-a-hoop on Sunday after beating us, but I can’t see us having any problems against them tonight,” said Havelock. “We’re at home, which will do us good, and I think we’ll see some improvement from Josh and Dan. Dan has said that his gear is spinning up and I’ve told him his motor is too strong and that he should have a look at it during the week. If the compression is too high, that’s what happens. It happened to me when I was riding and, when I changed it, I started rattling up big scores again. Josh is thinking his engine is not up to it so he’s in a little bit of a dilemma, but he’ll be better for a meeting at home.”

Skipper Gary Havelock, the manager’s son, is still recovering from a heavy fall at Stoke on Saturday. He was left with what he described as “the headache from hell” and a possible broken nose after hitting the track face first. And Havvy Snr explained: “He’s also got a nasty blister on his tongue where he must have bitten it when he fell - but he’s all right in himself.”

The first 24 kids through the turnstiles tonight will receive a free chocolate egg courtesy of the Bears Supporters’ Group, who will also be taking coach bookings for tomorrow’s trip to Scunthorpe.

BEARS
1 Gary Havelock, 2 Ty Proctor, 3 James Grieves, 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Arlo Bugeja, 7 Dan Giffard.

DIAMONDS
1 Christian Henry, 2 Ben Powell, 3 Josef Franc, 4 Jason King, 5 George Stancl, 6 Jamie Robertson, 7 Sean Stoddart.

AUSSIE Aaron Summers - who had spells at Buxton and Edinburgh last year - has joined the Cubs as a replacement for the injured Greg Blair, while David Wallinger has done a U-turn on his decision to quit and will ride after all.
 

FUND RAISING APPEAL
By Gareth Rogers, Redcar Speedway ~ Wednesday 26th March 2008
I have agreed to help three young men whom I know from my Martial Arts interests to raise funds at short notice to go to the World Games in Thailand in April. They are Naz Ghezlad aged 12, Levi Lawrence aged 13 and Patrick Lee aged 14. They have all won the British title at their weight which allows them to go to Thailand but their current circumstances prevent them.

I am organising an urgent raffle with many speedway prizes and appealing for support mainly from my Teesside circle on Thursday evening.

Prizes are:
Karting party for 10 children at Teesside Autodrome - courtesy of Bob Pope
'Shale Brittania' and 'Speedway Yearbook 2008' - courtesy of Jeff Scott, Methanol Press
'50 Poole Greats' and 'The History of Hull Speedway' - courtesy of Dave Rattenbury
'Wiggy!' and 'Lewis Hamilton: The Story So Far' - courtesy of the author
Bears 2007 season DVD courtesy of GRT Media

Tickets are £5 a strip and I hope you will consider helping. If you are not at the speedway on Thursday evening then you can pledge and I'll keep your ticket(s) in an envelope for you. Thanks for your time and attention, Contact can be made with Gareth via enquiries@redcarspeedway.co.uk or 07901 844 924 or see Gareth on the evening.
 

AUSSIE SUMMERS FOR THE CUBS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Wednesday 26th March 2008
The Redcar TLS/Simpson Racing UK Cubs are pleased to announce the signing of 20 year old Australian rider Aaron Summers as a replacement for Greg Blair. "Aaron contacted me on Sunday evening and a deal was concluded on Tuesday evening," said Jason Pipe, Cubs team manager who continued "He made his UK debut in 2007 when he rode in 2 meetings for Buxton in the CL, which included 19 points from 7 rides at Stoke and he also rode in a couple of meetings for Edinburgh in the PL at the end of last season, finishing ahead of Ex Bear Tomas Suchanek in one race and impressed so much in his brief spell in Britain last year that Edinburgh named him as one of their first riders on their 2008 team sheet."
 
The Edinburgh Asset has agreed to race for the Cubs in 2008 and will also race for Edinburgh in the PL, whose commitments he must honour first. Unfortunately this results in Aaron missing our away meetings at Plymouth & Scunthorpe, as well as the CL 4TT Finals at Plymouth. Aaron is looking forward to racing for Redcar and knows Scott James and Arlo Bugeja very well since they are also from Adelaide.

Jason added 'I would like to thank the Edinburgh promotion, especially John Campbell for his help and agreement to allow Aaron to show off his skills to the Redcar fans. Signing Aaron has given us a massive boost after losing our number 1, Greg Blair, before the season has even started. I believe Aaron has the ability to be top of the Cubs averages come the end of the 2008 season and the fans should appreciate what a good signing he is once he starts riding for the Cubs. This is an exciting signing for the Cubs."
 

LOCAL DERBY AT SOUTH TEES
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 25th March 2008
After the frustration of two home postponements but the plus of two away matches to get the rust out of the system - the Redcar 'TLS' Bears take on arch-rivals the Newcastle Diamonds in a Premier Trophy North match at the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday evening at 7.30pm. Although losing at Stoke last Saturday evening and Newcastle on Sunday evening there were some bright spots for the Bears' management to mull over. New signing Ty Proctor from Australia has impressed by his ability to pick up points in every heat and even recorded his first victory in British Speedway at Brough Park on Sunday. This is his second match and, like Stoke, on a track he had never seen before.

Meanwhile American Chris Kerr has been on the pace since his first outing heat victory at Stoke on the weekend and reached a double figure score at Newcastle. Whilst 2007 'Rider of the Year' James Grieves, despite a duck in his first outing at Stoke, has just got faster and faster with a clutch of heat victories at both Stoke and Newcastle - ending up as top scorer for the Bears on both occasions. Skipper Gary Havelock took a heavy fall at Stoke sustaining a suspected broken nose plus neck and shoulder problems. He was suffering from a severe headache at Newcastle but is sure that a few days rest will see him back on top of the points tally on Thursday.

Newcastle track a very solid septet spearheaded by the ever-improving Christian Henry and the ever-reliable George Stancl. They also look very effective at reserve with Sean Stoddart the Diamonds' outstanding rider of season 2007 and Jamie Robertson a consistent performer over recent years. The meeting will be sponsored by Speedy Hire of Middlesbrough and fans are advised to arrive early to claim their usual parking and viewing spots as Bears-Diamonds matchs always attract the largest attendances of the fixture list.

REDCAR 'TLS' BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. Ty Proctor, 3. James Grieves, 4. Josh Auty, 5. Chris Kerr, 6. Arlo Bugeja, 7. Daniel Giffard, Team Manager- Brian Havelock

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS:
1. Christian Henry (C), 2. Ben Powell, 3. Josef Franc, 4. Jason King, 5. George Stancl, 6. Jamie Robertson, 7. Sean Stoddart, Team Manager- George English

There will be a five-heat mini-match to follow the 15-heat Premier Trophy match featuring the Redcar Cubs Conference League squad.
 

US-STYLE DIRT TRACK RACING AT STMP
By Short Track UK ~ Monday 24th March 2008
There will be US-style dirt track racing excitement aplenty at the South Tees Motor Park on Saturday 29th.March when the Silkolene Short Track UK national championship series returns to the Redcar Bears' Speedway circuit. Following a hugely successful and much acclaimed event held there last August, the STMP stages Round One of this prestigious championship - with the gates open at 4.30pm. Short Track derives from the USA's most popular form of motor cycle racing, Flattrrack; and as a discipline across the States, Europe and down-under it's been the breeding ground over the years for motor sports legends like Kenny Roberts, Nicky Hayden and current MotoGP world champ, Australia's
Casey Stoner. The local Speedway club's Team Manager, Glyn Taylor knows all about this form of dirt track from his own racing days in his homeland; and the one-time Australian international is set to thrill Bears' fans on Saturday (29/3) by making a track racing return in the STUK event!

With Short Track (officially Europe's fastest growing motor sport) having such a pedigree in breeding champs for other forms of motorcycling too, it's little wonder that the region's most versatile racer, Northallerton's Rusty Hodgson has committed himself to the 2008 series too. The 2007 Bear is incredibly popular at the South Tees Motor Park having stared for both the Cleveland Bays and then stepped up with the Bears in the past two seasons. Yet with work commitments taking him down south and into Europe for much of this coming summer, the Short Track event is very likely to be Rusty's only appearance racing on the Redcar track this year.

The one-time roadracer, who starred in the R6 Cup before shattering his foot in an accident in 2005 explains, "I've got a job installing outward-bound courses and this is literally going to take me around the world during 2008. I actually need to fly in all the way from Portugal - where I'll have been up in the trees building an abseiling framework - for Saturday's event at Redcar! But I'm serious about challenging for this title and am receiving fantastic backing from Dynomax and CCM and will be delighted to be racing at the Motor Park again." The fact that the high-flying, third generation Bear (both his father and grandfather rode for Middlesbrough Speedway) is making such a commitment to return home for the event is sure to bring out a sizeable number of Bears and Cubs' followers; as will the competitive debut in this event of one of British Speedway's most heralded young talents, Aidan Collins: son of former Belle Vue rider and once World Championship runner-up, Les Collins.

Other names to look out for are the twice, STUK champion and European master at the sport, Italian Marco Belli: mounted this year on a CCM; along with his hugely exciting fellow countryman, Harley-rider Jacopo Monti; reigning Thunderbikes champ (the Thunderbikes division seeing truly monstrously-sized bikes up to multi-cylindered 1200ccs, thrown into the steeply banked bends of the Redcar circuit in a spectacle not to be missed), Peter Boast; plus multi-grasstrack national champion, North Yorkshire's Paul Cooper.

The Welbourns Short Track Quads proved one of the biggest attractions back in August. This brand of four-wheeled action is not only the opportunity to see such machines racing on the Speedway circuit (adjacent, of course, as it is to the home of Quad Bike events here in the north-east); but is a truly unique form of Quad dirttrtack seeing six riders a race, face-off in a grid-style start which provides a huge amount of passing and breathtaking excitement. All the country's top Quads stars will be in action including reigning national champion, Alan Hooker from Lincolnshire.

The admission is £10.00 for adults, £7.00 for pensioners and other concessions; with children aged 12 to 15 years of age, £3 and younger than 12 (provided accompanied by an adult) having free admission. The action gets underway at 4.30pm with the Quads and the qualifying races for the main STUK event, the Thunderbikes and also the CCM Junior Shorttrack Cup - for racers aged between 12 and 15 years of age. All the finals and the superb new 18 heat knock-out style format for the Short Track UK championship will start at 7pm. In all, over four-and-a-half hours of motor sport action is guaranteed - making this a must-see event for the whole family.

For more info please ring 01507 313829 or visit www.shorttrackuk.com

HAVELOCK CONFIDENT REDCAR BEARS WILL COME GOOD
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 24th March 2008
TEAM boss Brian Havelock is backing his Redcar TLS Bears to come good after opening their campaign with two defeats over the Easter weekend. Tonight’s scheduled Premier home curtain raiser against Stoke - already postponed once - has again been called off because of the effects wintry weather has had on the South Tees Motorsports Park track. But Havelock insists the Bears will be a much stronger outfit once they have had the benefit of a couple of home meetings. The Bears lost 49-41 at Stoke on Saturday before going down 52-38 at Newcastle last night in their second Premier Trophy match of the weekend.

They struggled for points at reserve against the Diamonds - while Josh Auty made a slow start to the season and skipper Gary Havelock was left with a possible broken nose and neck injury after a heavy crash at Loomer Road. But the biggest plus point of the weekend was the form of Aussie newcomer Ty Proctor. After a steady debut on Saturday he recorded an impressive paid eight last night, which included his first ever win in British speedway. That meeting on Tyneside went ahead 45 minutes later than planned while track staff worked heroically on a weather-ravaged track on a bitterly cold night - and the action was delayed further before heat five to allow a snow shower to pass!

“I’m reasonably satisfied,” declared Havelock Snr. “The two reserves will come on for a couple of meetings at home, I’m sure of that. Josh was a little bit under par at Stoke but the rest of them rode quite well. Ty was impressive - he won’t have seen conditions like those at Newcastle before, let alone ridden in them. He’s come from plus 38 degrees to minus five - that’s a good show. Our lads will improve for a couple of matches at home because their confidence will come. I’m not downhearted - these were early meetings.”

Meanwhile Havelock’s son Gary, the team captain, is looking forward to showing his best form once he has recovered from the effects of his heavy crash at Stoke. He had opened with two wins against the Potters but caught the air fence with his footrest and fell heavily in his third ride trying to avoid Emiliano Sanchez and, after being left with “the headache from hell” on Saturday, he was still suffering against Newcastle. “I went splat, straight in to the ground,” he added. “I think I might have broken my nose but the worst thing is my neck – I think the helmet strap did that. It feels like I’ve got tonsillitis and throughout the meeting at Newcastle, it was getting worse and worse. My neck and shoulders are stiff and I can’t swallow properly at the moment. I wasn’t with it at all.”

POTTERS:
Lee Complin 15+1, Ben Barker 9+1, Emiliano Sanchez 9, Barrie Evans 7+1, Mark Burrows 7, Jesper Kristiansen 2+1, R/R Klaus Jakobsen.

BEARS:
James Grieves 11, Gary Havelock 8, Chris Kerr 7, Dan Giffard 5+1, Ty Proctor 4, Arlo Bugeja 3+3, Josh Auty 3.

DIAMONDS:
George Stancl 14, Sean Stoddart 9+1, Josef Franc 9, Jason King 8+1, Christian Henry 8, Ben Powell 2+2, Jamie Robertson 2+1.

BEARS:
James Grieves 12, Chris Kerr 10, Ty Proctor 7+1, Gary Havelock 6+1, Josh Auty 2+1, Dan Giffard 1, Arlo Bugeja 0.
 

WEE GREG UP AND ABOUT!
By Redcar Speedway ~ Sunday 23rd March 2008
16-year-old Redcar Cub Greg Blair is already up and about on crutches having had a rod inserted in his upper leg to repair his broken femur following a crash at Glasgow Speedway on Sunday March 16th. It was originally believed that Wee Greg would miss the whole 2008 season but the Scottish youngster has informed Cubs' team manager Jason Pipe that he must sit out three months to allow the femur time to heal but already has a mid-June, early-July comeback pencilled in!

The 2007 junior 'Rider of the Year' would like to record his thanks to those fans who sent him goodwill messages or made 'phone enquiries to check on his medical condition. He has already informed Jason Pipe that he would like to be in the pits for the 'TLS/Simpson Racing UK' Cubs re-arranged opening fixture at the Norfolk Arena against the Boston Barracudas on Wednesday April 9th and would also like to lead his team out on the Saturday afternoon of April 12th when the Buxton Hitmen are the Conference League visitors to the South Tees Motorsport Park
 

REDCAR BEARS PREPARE FOR HECTIC EASTER
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 22nd March 2008
REDCAR TLS Bears make a delayed start to their season tonight with a visit to Stoke in the Premier Trophy (7.30pm start). And a hectic Easter weekend gathers pace tomorrow when they head up the A19 looking for more PT points at the expense of local rivals Newcastle (5.30pm start). The tapes were due to go up on Redcar’s season on Thursday with the visit of Stoke, but heavy rain left the South Tees Motorsports Park track unraceable. That fixture has now been rescheduled for Monday at 7pm (the original plan to run at 5pm was scuppered because no medical cover was available) - the Bears’ third match in as many days.

The rain-off was a blow to team boss Brian Havelock, who admits he’d preferred his side to have a home meeting under their belts before hitting the road. “We’re going there as a cold cucumber,” said Havelock. “I don’t like going into an away match without the benefit of a home meeting first. The new lads could find it a little difficult as they’ve had no time to build up their confidence yet. But we’ve got a good record at Stoke and the experienced lads should go there and do well.”

Stoke will be without young Dane Klaus Jakobsen, who is on European Under-19 Championship duty, although he failed to score in four rides in the Potters’ only meeting to date this year - a 51-42 Premier Trophy defeat at Newcastle. For the Diamonds that was a welcome win, having suffered a shock home defeat by Berwick - expected to be down among the Premier League’s dead men this season - the week before. “They lost to Berwick and they won’t want to lose to us,” said Havelock. “I’d like to think we can get a result at Stoke, but winning at Newcastle is a big ask.” Josef Franc and George Stancl have formed a powerful spearhead for the Diamonds and have scored double figures in each of their side’s three matches to date this term.

FOR details of coach travel to this weekend’s away matches, call 07796 051134 or send an e-mail to info@bearssupportersgroup.co.uk

POTTERS:
R/R for 1 Klaus Jakobsen, 2 Ben Barker, 3 Jesper Kristiansen, 4 Lee Complin, 5 Emiliano Sanchez, 6 Barrie Evans, 7 Mark Burrows.

DIAMONDS:
1 Christian Henry, 2 Ben Powell, 3 Josef Franc, 4 Jason King, 5 George Stancl, 6 Jamie Robertson, 7 Sean Stoddart.

BEARS:
1 Gary Havelock, 2 Ty Proctor, 3 James Grieves, 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Arlo Bugeja, 7 Dan Giffard.
 

CUBS SEEK TO SIGN RIDERS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Thursday 20th March 2008
With the Redcar 'TLS/Simpson Racing UK' Cubs management having suffered the double blow of a broken femur for rising starlet Greg Blair and the retirement of David Wallinger - moves are afoot to reshuffle the squad and seek a new signing before the first away match of the Conference League campaign against the Boston Barracudas in a challenge fixture on Friday April 11th and home to the Buxton Hitmen on the afternoon of Saturday April 12th. Durham-based Steven Jones comes into the team to replace David Wallinger and his Grade 5 ranking means that Martin Emerson as a Grade 4 drops down to provide a very effective reserve. Steven is reported to have invested heavily in new equipment and is looking forward to this opportunity.

Efforts continue to identify a young British rider to replace 'Wee' Greg at number one but easier said than done at present. There are squad opportunities too and there will be regular junior mini-matches following the Redcar Bears Premier League fixtures on Thursday evenings at the South Tees Motorsport Park so Cubs manager would be pleased from aspiring racers who would like to showcase their talents on 07809736558.

One rider not likely to feature this season is Ingleby Barwick based Ashley Johnson. Ashley has suffered a series of injuries in recent seasons, including head trauma, and these have taken their toll. Commented Jason Pipe: 'I wish Ashley well in the future with whatever he decides to do and thank him for his services over the last few years.'
 

PAR-TY TIME! ~ BUT RAIN CLAIMS FIRST MATCH
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 20th March 2008
START the new season like you ended the last one - that’s the message from Redcar TLS Bears manager Brian Havelock as his team prepare for a slightly delayed launch to their 2008 campaign. The Bears brought the curtain down on 2007 by winning the Jack Young Shield and the Tyne Tees Trophy within the space of 24 hours. Now Havelock is eager to see them continue that winning form when they make an albeit delayed start to the season after tonight’s scheduled Premier Trophy curtain raiser against Stoke Potters at South Tees Motorsports Park was rained off.

The Potters will now visit Teesside on Easter Monday at 7pm instead. Children aged 15 and under will be admitted free. And they’ll find the bulk of the Bears team unchanged from 2007, with Ty Proctor and Arlo Bugeja the only new arrivals. “We’ve got strength and backbone,” said Havelock as he surveyed his septet for the new season. “We’ll be looking for the top five to carry on from where they left off last season and hope that Ty and Arlo perform to the averages they come in on. It’s different going round on your own to when you’re in a race, of course, but both Ty and Arlo have looked good in practice. Ty is spectacular and crafty - he can get himself out of bother if he needs to. Arlo knows he needs to show what he can do and he’s on new equipment and is looking forward to it.”

Fans who attend Monday’s meeting will also be guaranteed to see a new lap record being set. “When we put the new drainage in, I moved the kerb out a little,” explained promoter Glyn Taylor. “The track length was 264m last year and now it’s 271m. It doesn’t make any difference to the riding line but the track is fractionally bigger, so heat one will be a track record.”

The weather forecast for the rest of the weekend is not good, leaving the Bears’ match away to Stoke on Saturday and Sunday’s trip to Newcastle also under threat. BOOKINGS for coach travel to the matches at Stoke and Newcastle are still being taken. Prices for the Stoke trip are £15 adult BSG member; £17 adult non-member; £7.50 junior member; £8.50 junior non-member. For Newcastle they are £7.50 adult member; £9.50 adult non-member; £4 junior member; £5 junior non member. E-mail info@bearssupportersgroup.co.uk or call 07796 051134 to book.
 

BEARS REVVING UP FOR NEW SEASON
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Wednesday 19th March 2008
THE Bears finished last season on a high note by winning the Young Shield on a glorious night at Birmingham - and now team boss Brian Havelock is looking for bigger and better things from his team. Havelock guided his side to home and away victories against the Brummies in the final to bring the first piece of national silverware to South Tees Motorsports Park, less than two years after it opened. The stakes are higher than ever this season, with automatic promotion and relegation between the Elite League and Premier League being introduced for the first time. The winners of a four-team PL play-off will meet the losers of a two-team EL play-off for the right to take their place in the 2008 top flight. And Havelock believes the TLS Bears can be in there challenging.

“We’ve got to look at bettering our achievements of last year,” said Havelock. “I’m very excited about our top five - I think they are going to be pretty good. I’d look at Josh Auty, Chris Kerr and Dan Giffard all upping their average, certainly by two points.” Havelock also has confidence that his top two, son Gary and James Grieves, can again be among the PL’s biggest hitters. But new boy Ty Proctor steps into the deep end on a five-point average at No 2 while the relatively inexperienced Arlo Bugeja makes up the team - and the gaffer knows the two young Aussies won’t find it all plain sailing. It’s a big ask to put a young lad in and stick a five-point average on his neck,” said Havelock. We know about Chris - he’s been here two years now and his average is 5.69. I hope they can live up to their averages, but we’ve got to look at two or three riders at the top end improving their averages.”

Havelock does, however, have the benefit of a useful looking Cubs side to call upon if he needs to make changes at the bottom end. “I couldn’t see anything that would stop us bringing one of them up if need be in a three-point slot,” said Havelock. “But I’m sure Arlo’s in the right place to start with - it was too much to ask of him in the main body last time and he got down in the mouth a little bit.” With 17 teams in the PL this year, the battle for honours looks set to be an exciting one. “There are a lot of strong teams,” said Havelock, “and my tip for the top would probably be Workington. They’ve got Joe Haines at reserve, which is a cracking move, and they’ve brought in Scud Smith and Daniel Nermark too.”
 

RACING WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER ~ TAYLOR
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Wednesday 19th March 2008
NEW owner Glyn Taylor goes into the new season this week with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The former Australia Test star, who designed and built the South Tees Motorsport Park track before joining the club as first track curator and then co-promoter, concluded a deal to buy out founder Chris van Straaten over the winter. Since then he’s worked hard on the track, signed a team for 2008 and brought in TLS as the club’s first ever team sponsor. And when Stoke Potters visit in the Premier Trophy tomorrow, he’ll have his first experience of being in charge on a race night.

“I’m excited and nervous,” he said, “but more nervous than excited! “It’s a huge season. We’ve got an exceptionally good team and I think we must be looking at a top four finish. I’m sure the track will be better than ever this year. We had a few restraints in the past but we don’t now. I want to improve crowds, give better entertainment and I want to earn the respect of the Teesside people. Speedway has a long history here. It’s not new to the area but there are a lot of new people in the area and it’s those people I’m looking to get along to the speedway and to enjoy the night’s racing at a very affordable price. I’m very confident we can to that.”

Taylor hopes to have the first part of the new grandstand up in April or May, giving fans at the STMP cover for the first time. It’s been a hard slog for Taylor since taking the helm, often leaving his Manchester home before 6am to put in a long shift on Teesside before heading home after dark and then doing it all over again. He’s not shied away from investment either - but he knows it will all be worth it. “I can see where expensive things in the UK get out of control because of the amount of expenditure before a brick has even been laid,” he said.
 

THE REDCAR BEARS TEAM
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Wednesday 19th March 2008
IF IT hadn’t been for a seemingly never ending injury list last season, the Bears may well have been true title challengers. The nucleus of the 2007 team is back at South Tees Motorsports Park this year and, if Lady Luck decides to leave us alone, the Bears could indeed be up there at the forefront of the trophy battle. Flying Frenchman Mat Tresarrieu misses out this year after suffering serious leg injuries in a grass track crash - but Gary Havelock, Chris Kerr and James Grieves form a powerful spearhead.

Josh Auty is easily capable of continuing his rapid rise and should achieve heat leader status before too long and, with a good injury-free run, Dan Giffard can climb swiftly out of the reserve berths. Much will depend on young Aussies Arlo Bugeja and Ty Proctor. Bugeja will find the reserve berths more comfortable after his last stint at STMP at No 2, while the untried Proctor comes highly recommended.

Main dangerman: Gary Havelock.

Prediction: Challenging for the title.

1. GARY HAVELOCK
Average: 9.18
Ended last season on a high after being hit by injury and illness. The inspirational skipper is a class act and will once again show it.

2. TY PROCTOR
Average: 5.00 (assessed)
Aussie new boy in his first season over here. He’s asked fans not to expect instant miracles, but has invested in two of Leigh Adams’ 2007 bikes and is confident of at least matching his average.

3. JAMES GRIEVES
Average: 8.47
The 2007 Bear of the Year and deservedly so. Was rarely out of double figures last term and there’s no reason why he can’t do the same this year.

4. JOSH AUTY
Average: 6.11
Teenage sensation who burst onto the Premier League scene last year while doubling up with Scunthorpe in the Conference. Has a heat leader berth in his sights.

5. CHRIS KERR
Average: 5.56
Exciting and tenacious on the track, ended last year in fine form. Has learned and improved in the two years since he arrived as a complete unknown.

6. ARLO BUGEJA
Average: 3.00
Struggled to make an impact while filling in for Giffard last year. But he was thrown in at the deep end at No 2 - being at reserve and the PL experience he gained last year will have helped him.

7. DAN GIFFARD
Average: 3.47
One of the most experienced reserves in the league, he has the ambition and ability to make his spell at reserve a brief one.

Meet the other teams in the Premier League

BERWICK BANDITS
Rock bottom last year, team-building has been a slow, arduous process - and the end result won’t have too many rivals quaking in their kevlars, especially after losing Manu Hauzinger before he’s even turned a wheel.
Main dangerman: Michal Makovsky.
Prediction: Down amongst the dead men again.

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES
Made a highly successful return after a 23-year absence in 2007 and, after being beaten by the Bears in the Jack Young Shield final, have assembled a strong-looking septet.
Main dangerman: Jason Lyons.
Prediction: Genuine title challengers.

EDINBURGH MONARCHS
Had a disappointing 2007 and failed with a bid to lure James Grieves from South Tees Motorsports Park.
Main dangerman: William Lawson.
Prediction: Mid-table.

GLASGOW TIGERS
Beaten by the Bears in the Young Shield quarter-finals, whether they emulate that this year could depend on how their two untried Aussies adapt.
Main dangerman: Shane Parker.
Prediction: Top half.

ISLE OF WIGHT ISLANDERS
Last year’s surprise package, the inevitable move of Chris Holder into the Elite League has left a hole that will be difficult to fill, especially as Chris Johnson is ruled out through injury.
Main dangerman: Cory Gathercole.
Prediction: Mid-table.

KING’S LYNN STARS
Finished top of the table but lost the play-off final, they have made some interesting team changes.
Main dangerman: Tomas Topinka.
Prediction: Title challengers.

MILDENHALL FEN TIGERS
They struggled in 2007 and have made wholesale changes for 2008 - but don’t look strong at all.
Main dangerman: Robbie Kessler.
Prediction: Could well be propping up the rest of the league.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS
Have recruited well after a mediocre 2007, although their home defeat to Berwick in a challenge match curtain-raiser came as a shock.
Main dangerman: George Stancl.
Prediction: Will be eyeing a place in the play-offs.

NEWPORT WASPS
Perennial strugglers - but will be boosted by the return of Craig Watson.
Main dangerman: Craig Watson.
Prediction: In the bottom half.

READING RACERS
Back after a spell in the Elite League, they will be a tough nut to crack.
Main dangerman: Ulrich Ostergaard.
Prediction: There or thereabouts.

RYE HOUSE ROCKETS
Champions, despite being third in the table at the end of the regular season, they have a formidable top five and will be hard to beat on their tight home track.
Main dangerman: Tai Woffinden.
Prediction: Challenging for the title again.

SCUNTHORPE SCORPIONS
The all-conquering Conference League outfit step up into the PL and could find it tough. They have a strong spearhead but could be found wanting elsewhere.
Main dangerman: Richard Hall.
Prediction: Bottom half.

SHEFFIELD TIGERS
Looking strong again and with Eric Boocock installed as team manager, they should be in for a good season - especially with that home track advantage!
Main dangerman: Andre Compton.
Prediction: Near the top.

SOMERSET REBELS
The absence of Magnus Zetterstrom will hit them hard, especially as Ritchie Hawkins will miss much of the season.
Main dangerman: Emil Kramer.
Prediction: Mid-table.

STOKE POTTERS
Will miss Claus Vissing and will need to hope their reserves come up with the goods.
Main dangerman: Lee Complin.
Prediction: Mid-table at best.

WORKINGTON COMETS
With Carl Stonehewer fit again and Daniel Nermark brought in, the Comets again have a top heavy look - though it will be interesting to see how Joe Haines adapts to life at PL level.
Main dangerman: Daniel Nermark.
Prediction: Top half.
 

HAVVY'S RARING TO LEAD THE WAY
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Tuesday 18th March 2008
CAPTAIN Marvel Gary Havelock leads Redcar TLS Bears into a new season of action this week - and he’s tipping them for more success. But the former world champion and England captain is desperate to avoid the horrendous injury crisis that plagued them throughout the entire 2007 season. It came good in the end when they won the Jack Young Shield - the first piece of silverware in the club’s short history. But they did it the hard way, with every member of the team being struck by injury at some point.

This Thursday tapes go up on the new season when Stoke visit in the Premier Trophy, a crown the Bears believe they can challenge for, and Havvy’s hoping for a bit more help from Lady Luck. “We can hope for and expect as much as anybody at the start of the season,” said Havvy as he looked ahead to the coming campaign. “It’s a new dawn, a new team, but we have kept the majority of last season’s side, which is good because continuity is good in any sport. We have got a great chance. We proved last year that in any sport - speedway especially - you’ve got to stay injury-free and have your best team out every match. When we had injuries last year we suffered and, when we had our best team out, we were successful. Hopefully we can go all season injury-free - let’s hope we used up all our bad luck last season.”

Havelock suffered broken ribs and a torn lung in a horrifying crash at Glasgow last spring and was also diagnosed as suffering from an energy-sapping medical problem. But he was back to full fitness in time to lead his side to Jack Young Shield and Tyne Tees Trophy victories in October, and can’t wait to get the new season under way. “I had a good holiday in the winter and a good break,” he said, “and now I’m raring to go again. We’ve got a couple of new young whippersnappers in the team and I think we’ve got a good blend of youth and experience, which is usually a good combination. Hopefully I can play my part as captain again.”

Thursday’s meeting will be the first since Glyn Taylor concluded a deal to buy out Bears founder Chris van Straaten. As usual the Premier Trophy precedes the Premier League fixture programme, at the end of which there will be a play-off for a place in the Elite League.
 

DANISH DUO MAKE MATTERS SIZZLE
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 17th March 2008
The Stoke Potters are looking to their new Danish signings Klaus Jakobsen and Jesper Kristiansen to bring home the bacon as part of a sizzling septet when they visit the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday night to face the Redcar 'TLS' Bears in the first Premier Trophy North home fixture of the new season. (Tapes up at 7.30pm). Klaus and Jesper were personally recommended to the Staffordshire club by Denmark's team manager Jan Staechmann - himself a former Stoke Potter of long standing.

Stoke's pre-season planning was also boosted by the retention of Lee Complin who returned to the sport in season 2007 after a five-year absence and whose form was nothing short of sensational. Complin is elevated to club captain for the new campaign. To add dimension to a strong top five the Potters welcome Argentinian heat leader Emiliano Sanchez whilst the bustling teenage star Ben Barker hopes to build further on the progress made in the Premier League with Stoke. There is also a sting in the tail as 2007 Cleveland Bays number one Mark 'Buzz' Burrows is listed at reserve and will certainly know the quickest way around the South Tees circuit. The team is completed by the consistent Barrie Evans.

For the Bears there is a fascinating brew of experience and youth. Top end strength is provided by former World Champion Gary Havelock and the 2007 'Rider of the Year' James Grieves. Snapping at the heels of the veteran campaigners in the top five are American favourite Chris Kerr, 17-year-old firebrand Josh Auty and new signing Australian Ty Proctor who was second in his country's Under-21 Championship - beating many established British-based performers to his podium place. Arlo Bugeja returns to the Bears fold but this time at reserve where he will have a fairer chance to show his potential while Redcar have their own 'secret weapon' in the shape of Daniel Giffard at number seven. Daniel is recovered from an injury-strewn 2007 and mounted on very good equipment is determined to recapture the form that saw him voted 'Rider of the Year' in 2006.

REDCAR 'TLS' BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. Ty Proctor, 3. James Grieves, 4. Josh Auty, 5. Chris Kerr, 6. Arlo Bugeja, 7. Daniel Giffard, Team Manager: Brian Havelock

STOKE POTTERS:
1. Klaus Jakobsen, 2. Ben Barker, 3. Jesper Kristiansen, 4. Lee Complin (C), 5. Emiliano Sanchez, 6. Barrie Evans, 7. Mark Burrows, Team Manager: John Adams
 

WEE GREG SERIOUSLY INJURED AGAIN
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 17th March 2008
The Redcar Cubs have been dealt a second major blow prior to their impending Conference League campaign. Following the sudden retirement of David Wallinger the recipient of the 2007 'Most improved rider award' comes the news that the 16-year-old 'Rider of the Year' affectionately known as 'Wee' Greg Blair crashed at Glasgow Speedway on Sunday afternoon while guesting for the Berwick Bandits and broke a femur. Greg was returning to action over the wekend after his 2007 season was dramatically cut short in what is regarded as the worst crash witnessed at the South Tees Motorpark when he was projected over the fence at the first bend and was lucky to escape with a shattered left elbow.

Wee Greg had been pressed into action at Premier League level when Berwick were forced to field a junior guest at number five- in the main body of the team. In his first race at the Ashfield Stadium the young Scot got hooked up with the fourth bend fencing when his footrest got caught and the bike stopped dead. Greg underwent surgery at the RVI Hospital in Glasgow on Monday morning. His leg was pinned and a permanent rod inserted. He will be out of action for a minimum of three months.

Redcar Cubs team manager Jason Pipe commented: I am absolutely gutted for the lad after what happened to him last season with his broken elbow and now this. Greg is a fighter and I'm sure we will see him back on a bike sometime during the 2008 season.' Jason conmfirmed that he is working on bringing in two new signings before the Cubs' first away fixture in a challenge match away at Boston on Friday April 11th and at home on the afternoon of Saturday April 12th against Buxton.
 

KERR'S RACING FOR HIS FUTURE
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 17th March 2008
AMERICAN World Cup star Chris Kerr will be riding for his future when the tapes go up on the new season this week. For the hugely popular Redcar TLS Bears star must achieve an average of an least eight points this term - or it will be virtually impossible for him to return in 2009. “It’s a big season,” said Kerr. “I need to get an eight-point average in order to come back. If I don’t, it makes it too hard to re-apply for a work permit. But I’m pretty sure I can get it. Last year as a whole wasn’t too bad at all, it’s just that I had a dip in mid-season, which is what killed my average. But I started the season strong and I ended it strong, so I have to focus on staying consistent this year.”

Kerr parted company with Team Enzville over the winter and now he’s working hard at finding new sponsors to help him achieve him aim. Speedway is a notoriously expensive sport to compete in, and Kerr needs the backing to invest in his equipment. “I need all the backing I can get,” he said. “Last year I needed it too, although maybe it didn’t look like it - but this year I am completely on my own. It takes money in order to be fast. You’ve got to have fast engines and keep your equipment up at the top of the line. It’s a tough league and this year, even though there are more teams, it’s still going to be tough. But we’ve got a good team and I want wait to get the season started.”

Anyone who wants to help Kerr with sponsorship can call 07783 246996 or contact him via his website at www.chris-kerr.com

The Bears open their season with a Premier Trophy match against Stoke Potters at South Tees Motorsports Park this Thursday.

Meanwhile Redcar Cubs prospect Greg Blair faces the prospect of missing the whole season after breaking his leg at Glasgow yesterday. The young Scot - hotly tipped to progress into the Bears’ Premier League team - was guesting for Berwick in place of Manu Hauzinger when he fell and broke his leg.
 

ROGERS ON AIR
By Redcar Speedway ~ Saturday 15th March 2008
Gareth Rogers will be on the 'People's Panel' on Monday's Matthew Davies Breakfast Show on BBC Tees. In addition to previewing the season Gareth will be expected to join his fellow guest in commenting on the news issues of the day. This will be between 8.30 and 10am on 95fm or bbc.co.uk/tees

Gareth will again be providing voice reports on all the Bears home and away matches for Matthew's show during the season. He has also reached agreement with the Northern Echo to provide reports of at least the home fixtures at the Motorpark in 2008. There will be a special front page feature in the Local Heroes section of the Northern Echo on Friday March 21st.

The night before it has been confirmed that Magic 1170's Breakfast Presenter Alan Ross will be along to the match against Stoke and brings with him the TFM Marketing Manager Ben Murphy for his first speedway experience.
 

REDCAR CUBS OPEN SEASON WITH DOUBLE BLOW
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 13th March 2008
REDCAR Cubs have suffered a double blow just before the start of the new season. Rising star David Wallinger will not ride this season and former Bears reserve Rusty Hodgson will be available for only a handful of meetings after moving south. Wallinger enjoyed a stunning debut season in 2007 and was expected to be a key member of the TLS/Simpson Racing Cubs this year. He had already shown his promise by winning an amateur meeting at Scunthorpe during the winter. But the former grass track champion has put his racing career on hold due to family reasons.

Teessider Jitendra Duffill - who impressed promoter Glyn Taylor at last weekend’s Ivan Mauger training school - is lined up to replace Wallinger in the Cubs team. And Hodgson, who was set to be a Cubs squad member this year, has moved to Dorset after taking a new job in his main employment as an adventure sports instructor. He has, however, promised to try and make himself available if the Cubs are short-handed for any of their fixtures in the south.
 

RUSTY HODGSON STANDS DOWN FROM REDCAR CUBS SQUAD
By Redcar Speedway ~ Sunday 9th March 2008
The youngest member of the Hodgson racing dynasty has informed Redcar Cubs team manager Jason Pipe that he is not available to stand by on a regular basis for their Conference League squad in the forthcoming season. Rusty Hodgson, whose grandfather Frank was the Middlesbrough Bears post-war captain and whose father Russ came to speedway fame with the Bears in the 1970s, has taken on a new job in his main employment as an adventure sports instructor.

This will take him away from his Teesside base and indeed will see working abroad on various assignments. However, all may not be lost as time moves on. Explained Jason: 'Rusty has said he may still race second halves at tracks down South and indeed fill in for us if ever we are short of a rider when the Cubs are down South. So we may not have seen the last of him in a Redcar race jacket!' The junior manager added: 'I know that we can't stand in the way of a good job outside of Speedway and I wish him all the very best in what he will be doing.'
 

NEW SPONSORSHIP SPINS OUR WHEELS!
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 6th March 2008
NEW boss Glyn Taylor has hailed Redcar Bears’ first-ever team sponsorship deal as a vital spoke in the go-ahead club’s wheel. Former Australia Test star Taylor concluded a deal to buy out founder Chris van Straaten during the winter and is bursting with ideas to move the club forward. One of those was to find a sponsor - and now TLS Vehicle Hire, whose Teesside branch is in Cowpen Lane, Billingham, have completed a four-figure deal to back both the Premier League Bears and the Conference League Cubs.

TLS are part of the General Electric group - the third largest corporation in the world - and their logo will appear on the race jackets this season. In addition, the teams will now be known as the Redcar TLS Bears and the Redcar TLS Cubs. “TLS are a big company offering great support and they’re local, so I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said a delighted Taylor. “It gives us credibility - they are the biggest hire company in the land - which is very important. It’s one of the spokes in the wheel. Most motorcycle wheels have about 40 spokes and we’ve got about 20 of them! We’ve got a little way to go, but we are looking forward to bigger and better things.”

Taylor has been working tirelessly on preparations for the new season - which gets under way with the visit of Stoke on Thursday, March 20 - since taking the reins. A new safety fence is being put up at South Tees Motorsports Park, although the winds have done their best to hamper progress, and Taylor expects planning permission for the new grandstand to be granted shortly. Press and practice day takes place at STMP next Thursday (2pm start) and will be open to the public for the first time.
 

REDCAR MP ASSISTS TYRONE PROCTOR'S SPEEDWAY DEBUT
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 4th March 2008
An appeal by Redcar Bears' speedway boss Glyn Taylor to Vera Baird QC MP to intervene in the problems new signing Tyrone Proctor was suffering in obtaining his exit visa from the British Consulate in Canberra - has reached a quick and satisfactory conclusion. Tyrone had been to the Australian capital on three occasions - a nine-hour drive each time from his home in Melbourne - without success and there was at least the possibility he would miss the private training session with multi-World Speedway Champion Ivan Mauger MBE OBE at the South Tees Motorsport Park on Sunday March 9th plus the press and practice day on Thursday March 13th and the opening home match against Stoke on Thursday March 20th.

Mrs Baird - who is also the Solicitor General in the Government- informed the relevant authorities that: 'It would be helpful if you could expedite the issue of the appropriate visa in order to permit Mr Proctor to enter the UK in time to train with the team before the first event.' As a result Tyrone will arrive in Britain on Thursday March 6th and join up with team-mates Daniel Giffard and Chris Kerr in Wolverhampton before heading to Teesside with them for the pre-season session with Ivan Mauger.

Glyn Taylor commented: 'My thanks first to Mrs Baird's constituency agent Councillor Peter Scott, who fielded my initial enquiry, for his efficiency in briefing our local Member of Parliament. What a debt of gratitude the club and its fans owe to Vera Baird for pursuing Tyrone's case so effectively and we will be inviting her and Peter down to the speedway arena at their first opportunity so that our new young Bear can convey his own thanks personally.'