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LATEST NEWS ~ OCTOBER 2007
REDCAR BEARS RETAIN TYNE TEES TROPHY
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Tuesday 30th October 2007
JUBILANT Redcar Bears completed the most glorious 24 hours in their short history by clinching their second trophy in as many nights. Hot on the heels of their Young Shield success at Birmingham on Sunday, they retained the Tyne Tees Trophy with a 53-40 victory over Newcastle at South Tees Motorsports Park last night. They had gone into the match with the scores level at 45-45 after the first leg on Tyneside, and there was never any doubt that the silverware would stay on Teesside. But, after parading the trophy in front of another big crowd at the end of the Bears’ final meeting of the season, manager Brian Havelock couldn’t help thinking that, with a bit of luck, his side might have won even more honours.
They had to contend with a terrible injury crisis that lasted almost the full duration of the season, while Mat Tresarrieu missed the Premier League match at Rye House when tightened airport security prevented him from flying in from a meeting in France, and skipper Gary Havelock was ruled out of the Isle of Wight fixture after getting stuck in a massive motorway tailback. “Winning the Tyne Tees Trophy was the icing on the cake,” said team boss Havelock. “If we’d got beaten it would have been a shame because we were all on a high. But had we not had injuries early on in the season, I think we would have been a lot higher. We had riders not arriving at meetings too and things like that have lost us points. That would have put us in the top four. Where would we have been? We beat the team that finished second in the league on Sunday night – it makes you wonder.”
The Bears never looked threatened last night and once again scored well right through the order. They had built up a 28-14 lead before tactical double Carl Wilkinson won heat eight to cut the gap, but by then it had turned into nothing more than a damage limitation exercise for the Diamonds. James Grieves had looked set to end the season with a maximum against his former club until Josef Franc beat him to the chequered flag in the final race, but by then the Bears already had the trophy in the bag.
Grieves had been phenomenal all season and again received strong support from skipper Havelock and in-form Chris Kerr, who revealed he has been riding with a broken bone in his hand. Reserves Dan Giffard and Jack Hargreaves looked fired up and weighed in with good scores while Adam Roynon proved a good choice of guest and Cleveland Bays prospect Martin Emerson, drafted in for the injured Josh Auty, was always on the pace. Best race of the night was heat 11 when the tigerish Kerr pushed George Stancl all the way before just missing out on the line.
BEARS:
James Grieves 14, Gary Havelock 11, Chris Kerr 10+1, Dan Giffard 7+2, Jack Hargreaves 5+1, Adam Roynon 5+1, Martin Emerson 1.
DIAMONDS:
Carl Wilkinson 14, Josef Franc 10, George Stancl 10, Paul Clews 4, Sean Stoddart 2+2, Sam Dore 2+2, R/R for Robert Ksieszak.
SHIELD-WINNING REDCAR BEARS NOW GO FOR DOUBLE By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 29th October 2007
 Pictured by Colin Poole after winning their first major national trophy at Birmingham are, back row, left to right, Brian Havelock (manager), Chris Kerr, Jack Hargreaves, Dan Giffard, James Grieves. Front row: Gary Havelock, captain, left, and Simon Lambert
WE did it! Less than two years after their formation, Redcar Bears lifted their first major national trophy on a glorious night at Birmingham yesterday. Now they are aiming to make it two pieces of silverware in as many days when they entertain Newcastle tonight in the concluding leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy this evening. The Bears had gone into their Young Shield final second leg at Perry Barr wondering if an eight-point lead would be enough from their home leg - but they rose to the challenge and scored an brilliant 46-43 win on the night to triumph 95-84 aggregate. They had showed true grit and determination throughout their Shield campaign and gave a memorable all-round team performance last night, with every member of the side winning at least one race.
Not even a prolonged injury crisis could keep the Bears from their moment of glory and they even had to contend with reserve Jack Hargreaves having to ride on equipment borrowed from skipper Gary Havelock. They confirmed themselves as winners of the trophy with a 4-2 in heat 13, although the previous heat’s 3-3 had left the Brummies requiring the unlikely event of no Bears finishing the final two races in order to wrest the trophy from their grasp. And they clinched victory on the night when Chris Kerr and Havelock followed Jason Lyons home for a 3-3 in the last race. As it turned out it was a good job the impressive James Grieves wasn’t nominated for that heat. When his mechanic was draining the engine of oil later, he discovered a shard of metal which would almost certainly have blown the engine.
“I’m ecstatic,” said manager Brian Havelock. “The lads were brilliant. They really rode as a team. I told the lads just to protect the lead we had from the first leg.” From the moment Dan Giffard and Hargreaves scored a heat two 4-2, they were never behind. Then, when James Grieves expertly shepherded home Conference League guest Simon Lambert for an unexpected 5-1 over Lyons and Shaun Tacey in the next race, it was very much advantage Redcar. The next race was drawn and boss Havelock said: “After four heats I thought ‘we’re nailed on now’. Simon Lambert did well to come in at short notice and get that 5-1 with Grievesy. It was absolutely brilliant – there was no pressure on him to get any points but he rode his socks off. Jack rode well too. Birmingham could still have won with three heats to go, but Jack went out there and won it.”
Now Newcastle visit South Tees Motorsports Park for the Bears’ final meeting of the season with the score finely balanced at 45-45 after the first leg on Tyneside (7.30pm start). Adam Roynon guests in place of Mat Tresarrieu while Cleveland Bays starlet Martin Emerson is elevated to the team in place of the other injury victim, Josh Auty.
BRUMMIES:
Jason Lyons 15, Joel Parsons 8+1, Paul Clews 7, Chris Schramm 6, Lee Smart 4+1, Shaun Tacey 3+2, R/R for Manuel Hauzinger.
BEARS:
James Grieves 12+1, Chris Kerr 11, Gary Havelock 9+2, Jack Hargreaves 5+1, Dan Giffard 5, Simon Lambert 5, R/R for Mat Tresarrieu.
JAMES GRIEVES is to auction his kevlar race suit in aid of the fund set up to help Garry Stead who was left confined to a wheelchair after a track crash earlier this season. It will be auctioned at the Bears rider of the year awards ceremony on Saturday (there’s still time to cast your vote at www.gazettelive.co.uk) but anyone unable to attend can place a bid by visiting www.redcarspeedway.co.uk or by seeing Grieves’ mechanic Roy Clarke tonight.
REDCAR BEARS WIN THE JACK YOUNG SHIELD
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 29th October 2007
Despite all the trials and tribulations of a season in which every member of the Redcar Bears speedway team has been injured - there was ultimate triumph in the Premier League's end-of- season Jack Young play-off competition, named in memory of the former double World Speedway Champion. For at the Perry Barr Stadium, Birmingham on Sunday evening a depleted Bears team won away by 46 points to 43 in the second leg against the Birmingham Brummies to take the Final by 95 points to 84 points on aggregate.
The title was mathematically secured when Bears' 19-year-old reserve Jack Hargreaves won heat 14 of the 15-heat match. The Bears squad will parade the silverware from the first national title since the Middlesbrough Bears won the National League in 1981 - at the South Tees Motorsport Park prior to the second leg of the Tyne-Tees Trophy against Newcastle tonight (Monday October 29th) at 7.30pm.
Scorers at Birmingham:
James Grieves 12+1, Chris Kerr 11, Gary Havelock 9+2, Jack Hargreaves 5+1, Daniel Giffard 5, Simon Lambert 4. Rider replacement was operated for the injured Mathieu Tresarrieu.
For tonight's match v Newcastle the Cleveland Bay Martin Emerson will take the place of the injured Josh Auty at number four. A large and enthusiastic crowd is expected to welcome the Bears home in triumph and fans are advised to arrive early to secure their favourite viewing spot.
BEARS FACE NEWCASTLE IN END-OF-SEASON BASH
By Redcar Speedway ~ Sunday 28th October 2007
A speedway season full of twists and turns will climax at the South Tees Motorpark on MONDAY evening when the Redcar Bears face the Newcastle Diamonds in the second leg of the annual Tyne-Tees Trophy at 7.30pm. The score from the first leg at Brough Park is 45-45 apiece but with the Diamonds having dominated the result pattern of this eagerly-awaited derby since the mists of time - the Bears' manager, Teessider Brian Havelock, will ensure there is no complacency as the Bears seek to repeat their 2006 triumph in the fixture.
At the request of the Newcastle maangement the rider replacement rule will not operate and guests will be deployed for the injured absentees on both sides to ensure seven men teams. Adam Roynon of Rye House Rockets will guest for the absent Matthieu Tresarrieu fresh from his team's triumph in winning the Premier League title.
REDCAR BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. Adam Roynon, 3. James Grieves, 4. Guest tbc, 5. Chris Kerr, 6. Daniel Giffard, 7. Jack Hargreaves
NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS:
1. George Stancl, 2. Robert Ksieszak, 3. Josef Franc (C), 4. Sean Stoddart, 5. Carl Wilkinson, 6. Sam Dore, 7. Paul Clews
The Tyne -Tees Trophy is sponsored by Citromatic of Thornaby whose proprietor is former Middlesbrough Bear Ian Atkinson. The Bears hope to parade two trophies on Monday evening having reach the final of the Premier League's Jack Young Final. They lead 49-41 from the first leg against Birmingham having fought back from being six points down at mid-match. The second leg is at the Perry Barr, Stadium on Sunday evening and there will be a second update bulletin issued overnight. There is also a results update on 09068 664 665
ON A KNIFE EDGE
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 27th October 2007
IT’S on a knife edge - but Redcar Bears boss Brian Havelock has promised an all-out fight as his side bids to lift their first ever national trophy tomorrow. The Bears carry an eight-point advantage into tomorrow’s Young Shield final second leg against Birmingham at Perry Barr. And, while that’s not as big as he’d hoped for after the home leg, he remains hopeful his side can meet the challenge.
“We’re two or three points short of what we’d hoped for,” said Havelock, “but that was a tough match on Thursday. And we were only beaten by 11 points when we went to Birmingham in the league so we’re still in this - don’t worry about that. It’s on a knife edge. Eight points means it’s very tight, but we have got to go there with the intention of getting that trophy. Jason Lyons said after the meeting on Thursday that we’d just had the easy bit - I told him we’ll see about that.”
The trump card tomorrow could turn out to be the Bears’ young reserve Jack Hargreaves. He scored five in August’s Premier League fixture between the sides and weighed in with six points when guesting for Wolves there this week. Chris Kerr, who has been in top form recently, will also have an important role to play. He only managed paid four in that summer meeting but has since developed a liking for the track and notched up a total of paid eight there when he too put in a guest appearance for Wolves on Wednesday.
Joe Haines, who has deputised for the injured Josh Auty for the last two matches, is unavailable because he is needed by Scunthorpe, so Karlis Ezergailis steps in. The Brummies’ team selection was thrown into chaos after Thursday’s first leg when Phil Morris suffered a damaged coccyx. His side were already decimated by injuries and must now operate rider replacement for Morris because he has a higher average than Manuel Hauzinger, for whom the facility was being used.
BEARS:
1 Gary Havelock, 2 R/R for Mat Tresarrieu, 3 James Grieves, 4 Karlis Ezergailis, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
DON’T forget you still have time to vote for your Bears Rider of the Year by clicking on to www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport
THEIR CLUB IS LESS THAN TWO SEASONS OLD
But, already Redcar Bears fans have established themselves as some of the most passionate in the land.
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 27th October 2007
It doesn’t matter where the Bears are racing - you’re guaranteed to find a large and enthusiastic band of followers. And there will be more red and white than ever on the Perry Barr terraces tomorrow when the Bears take on Birmingham in the second leg of the Young Shield final. With an eight-point lead from the first leg it could go either way - but the Bears have made defending first leg leads a speciality this season. But even if they lose, the travelling Teesside army have vowed to have a good time. One of the coaches being run to the big match is being put on by the BSG, the official Bears supporters’ club who have organised regular trips to away meetings this season.
“Being in the Young Shield final is the equivalent of being in the Carling Cup final,” said BSG chairman Graham Porter. “But it’s a major cup final and it means everything to us.” The Bears fans will be easily spotted tomorrow. As well as wearing their club colours, many of them will be wearing multi-coloured wigs, just as they did for the semi-final second leg against Workington at Derwent Park. “We’re going to make in a party atmosphere,” promised Graham. “Whether we win or lose we want to have a good time - it’s the biggest thing for us since the sport came back to Teesside.”
Many of the fans who’ll be making the trip to the West Midlands tomorrow followed the Boro Bears until the closure of Cleveland Park in 1996. And they’ll be hoping for a better outcome than in the previous Bears incarnation’s glory bid, when they lost to the all-conquering Poole team in the 1990 National League KO Cup final. “It’s our first cup final since 1990,” said Graham, himself a Cleveland Park regular, “but hopefully the result will be different this time. I’m too young to remember Middlesbrough winning the National League in 1981, so this is my first experience of anything like this.”
The Bears go into tomorrow’s match without both Mat Tresarrieu and Josh Auty - but their hosts have been hit even more harshly by injuries and were forced to go back to the drawing board after losing Phil Morris to a fractured coccyx after last Thursday’s first leg at Southy Tees Motorsports Park.
DON’T forget to cast your vote in the official 2007 Bears Rider of the Year poll. Long on to the internet and visit www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport then make your choice.
BEARS STAGE FIGHTBACK
By James Drury, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 26th October 2007
TROPHY-HUNTING Redcar Bears will take an eight-point lead into Sunday’s Young Shield final second leg at Birmingham after a trademark fightback last night. Having struggled to get on top in the early stages - as they have at home for much of the season - the Bears trailed 33-27 in the home leg of their semi-final against the Brummies at a packed South Tees Motorsports Park. But this team simply refuses to lie down, and the tie had a completely different look to it at the end, with the Bears 49-41 ahead.
Manager Brian Havelock had hoped for a bigger lead - but he said that before the quarter-final against Glasgow and an eight- point advantage was more than enough to take into the second leg. “I would have liked more points on the board,” he said, “but I’m happier than if we’d only been two or three points in front. This tie is still alive, make no mistake about that. We only lost by 11 points at Birmingham in the league and we’ll be going there on Sunday with every intention of coming home with the trophy.”
Having kicked off with four successive drawn heats, the Bears slipped behind for the first time after heat five. The sides traded 5-1s as the lead went one way then the other, but it was heat 13 before the home side were back in front. The match wasn’t without controversy and Jack Hargreaves was excluded for bringing down Lee Smart in heat four. The young Bear had tried to dive inside the Brummies No 7 on turn three, only to see him bite the dust as he did so. “Jack didn’t touch him,” fumed team boss Havelock. “Their lad just baled out.”
Hargreaves got the benefit of the doubt in heat 14, however, when Barrie Evans was adjudged to have shoved him into the fence going into the first bend. In the re-run Dan Giffard just held off Shaun Tacey who, with legs flying in all directions, had mounted a determined bid to get past his rival. The 4-2 heat result put the Bears four points up going into the last race, and that advantage was doubled by an excellent 5-1 from Havelock and Grieves over Jason Lyons and Tacey in the final heat of the night.
Brummies veteran Phil Morris looks certain to miss Sunday’s decider after suffering a chipped coccyx in a heat 11 spill. It had been the best race of the night, with the Welshman sandwiched between Giffard in a thrilling three-way fight. Morris was clearly leaning into Kerr as Giffard moved to go round him on the outside and the decision to exclude him was the right one, though it was a shame such a good race should end in such a fashion.
BEARS:
James Grieves 15, Chris Kerr 13+1, Gary Havelock 11+3, Dan Giffard 6+2, Jack Hargreaves 4, Joe Haines 0, R/R for Mat Tresarrieu.
BRUMMIES:
Jason Lyons 13+1, Shaun Tacey 9+1, Jason King 8, Lee Smart 4+1, Phil Morris 4+1, Barrie Evans 3+2, R/R for Manuel Hauzinger.
STAR INTERVIEW with BRIAN HAVELOCK
By Keith McGhie of ‘Speedway Star’ ~ Thursday 25th October 2007
Brian Havelock is certainly not being paid as much as his England rugby union counterpart Brian Ashton but the Bears’ boss might liken his achievement in guiding Redcar to tonight’s Jack Young Shield Final to that of the much acclaimed national 15-a-side team in making it through to the World Cup Final. For vastly different reasons no-one gave the respective Brian’s much hope of getting anywhere near silverware a few weeks ago – Ashton because England were seemingly lacking in confidence and quality, Havelock because he was simply lacking riders who were fit.
With Mat Tresarrieu making an early exit back to France with a badly damaged leg, his own son Gary a tad below his brilliant best due to an under-active thyroid problem and James Grieves nursing an ongoing back complaint, last Thursday’s loss of Josh Auty seemed to be the final nail in the 2007 Bears’ coffin. When the extent of Josh’s foot injury became clear Brian (not the former Lancastrian scrum-half turned coaching messiah) admitted, “I was totally gutted and really felt we were down and out this time. But having been deprived of the services of one sensational Scunthorpe teenager the Bears manager pulled a masterstroke by turning to another – ex-Cleveland Bays starlet Joe Haines, who had just put in a hugely creditable performance as Auty’s replacement in the Silver Helmet."
“Come along and score a few points at Workington on Saturday was the brief and young Joe duly went out a grabbed a vital 5+1 as the Bears defended their ten-point first leg advantage to earn a place in tonight’s final against Birmingham. Brian beamed: “He was fantastic! Joe was the vital piece in the jigsaw – he certainly turned it on and did a superb job for us. He impressed me in the Silver Helmet and Gary had a talk to him at Workington…and he listens to everything you say. We’ve had such horrendous injuries and we get people back and then lose Josh – it’s unbelievable. But we keep coming back and surprising people."
“After what we’ve come through I’m almost confident we can beat Birmingham now as they have their injury problems too. Obviously we won’t have Joe Haines at Birmingham for the second leg on Sunday because he’ll be riding for Scunthorpe, so we’ve called in Karlis Ezegailis,” adds Havelock. "But Chris Kerr (who scored an equally vital 9+1 at Derwent Park) is doing what he did last year and coming good at the end of the season. Chris is due to ride for Wolverhampton at Birmingham on Wednesday and that should give him a useful look at the place before next Sunday.”
So it’s turned out to be quite a finish to a campaign that wasn’t going too well at one stage – a bit like the Rugby Union World Cup again really. And like the battling England team, whatever the outcome of the Young Shield Final, the Bears can hold their heads high and say they’ve over-achieved with the resources left available to them. And who knows… Redcar might even go one better than their Rah-rah’s counterparts … and win… but don’t hold your breath waiting for the Knighthood if they do Brian (our one)?!
REDCAR BEARS PREPARE FOR CUP FINAL
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 25th October 2007
NOTCH UP a big win tonight and we’ve got one hand on the Young Shield. That was manager Brian Havelock’s message today as Redcar Bears prepared for their historic first-ever cup final. Havelock’s men entertain Birmingham in the first leg of the Young Shield at South Tees Motorsports Park this evening (7.30pm start) before heading to the West Midlands for the deciding leg on Sunday. And, having built up a first leg lead at home and then defended it away in both their quarter-final with Glasgow and semi-final against Workington, Havelock is calling for more of the same.
“We’ve got the wow factor back,” he said. “I’m feeling confident. “We need to nail them at home tonight, build up a good lead, then take it to their place to defend. I’m looking at a lead of around 12 points tonight. Remember, we lost by only 11 points at their place in the league in August and they’ve had a lot of injury problems since then.”
The Brummies - who were top of the Premier League in September - also won at South Tees Motorsports Park in the league, but their team has since been decimated. Ulrich Ostergaard, who top scored for them on that occasion, has since joined Workington and his replacement, Henning Bager, is ruled out with a wrist injury. Emiliano Sanchez, Henrik Moller, Ben Powell and Manuel Hauzinger are also on the casualty list, leaving Jason Lyons and Lee Smart as the only survivors from the Brummies team that visited Teesside in July.
The Bears too have injury problems, but have managed well enough using rider replacement to cover for Mat Tresarrieu, while pocket rocket Joe Haines again stands in for Josh Auty. Haines played a crucial role in Saturday’s semi-final second leg at Workington, and Havelock believes the former Cleveland Bays starlet could have another good night. “He looked good around our place in the South Tees Silver Helmet last week,” said the Bears boss. “He only scored one, but you’ve got to take into account the top quality riders he was up against.”
Veteran Aussie Jason Lyons is likely to provide the Brummies’ main threat, so the Bears will be looking for another strong showing from their top trio of Gary Havelock, James Grieves and Chris Kerr.
BEARS:
1 Gary Havelock, 2 R/R for Mat Tressarieu, 3 James Grieves, 4 Joe Haines, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
BRUMMIES:
1 R/R for Manuel Hauzinger, 2 Phil Morris, 3 Jason Lyons, 4 Shaun Tacey, 5 Jason King, 6 Barrie Evans, 7 Lee Smart.
THE victorious Boro team - including Bears skipper Gary Havelock - will parade their Sky TV Premier League All Stars trophy during the interval tonight.
KERR HAILS REDCAR BEARS' TEAM SPIRIT
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Wednesday 24th October 2007
AMERICAN ace Chris Kerr has hailed Redcar Bears’ amazing team spirit as they prepare for the biggest match of their short history. The Bears entertain Birmingham at South Tees Motorsports Park tomorrow (7.30pm start) in the first leg of the Young Shield final. An horrendous ongoing injury crisis plus problems with the availability of other riders has made it a difficult season for Brian Havelock’s team at times, but they have battled through to this week’s final thanks to some dogged displays. It’s only 16 months since South Tees Motorsports Park staged its first meeting – but USA international Kerr believes the Bears can win their first national title this week.
“Everyone in the team pulls together and we get along really well,” said Kerr. “We’ve got a great team spirit. Even when we’re behind in a match we can pull it back, as we’ve shown throughout the season. You’ve got to have a fighting spirit if you want to succeed and we’ve certainly got that.” With Mat Tresarrieu and Josh Auty both ruled out of the rest of the season through injury, Kerr’s performance is likely to be critical against the Brummies. Fortunately he has hit a rich vein of form recently, joining Gary Havelock and James Grieves to form a formidable spearhead. “I’ve been going pretty decent lately,” he said. “I finished last season on a high note and that’s what I’m looking to do this year as well, to set me up for next season.”
Kerr has already had the opportunity to size up the opposition this week, having ridden for Wolves in their home and away challenges against the Brummies. However, with a pile of injuries to contend with, the Birmingham team which visits Teesside tomorrow will have a different look to it. “They don’t really have much of a team left,” said Kerr. “They’re having to rely on guests and it depends on who they can get in. It’s going to be tough for them, especially at home, because a guest rider won’t have ridden the track as much as the rider he’s replacing. We’ve got a real good chance.”
The concluding leg of the final takes place at Perry Barr, Birmingham, on Sunday (6pm start).
BEARS TO DEAL BRUMMIES A SHIELD BLOW
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Tuesday 23rd October 2007
HE was a KO king with Bradford in the 1990s - and now Gary Havelock has his sights set on more silverware with Redcar Bears. The Bears skipper lifted the British League KO Cup four times plus the Gold Cup and BSPA Cup too as the Dukes established themselves as the most feared knockout team in speedway between 1990 and 1995. Now he’s backing his current side to see off Birmingham and win the Young Shield this week. The Bears entertain the Brummies at South Tees Motorsports Park on Thursday before heading to Perry Barr for the return leg on Sunday - and Havvy believes the trophy engraver should start practising the word ‘Redcar’.
“I don’t see why we can’t win it,” said the former world champion and England skipper who has played a key role in the Bears’ success this season. “We started the season so well and we were expecting big things but then the injuries started to mount. But last year we finished in the top eight when people were saying we were going to finish bottom and this year we’ve already beaten Glasgow and Workington in the Young Shield when we’ve been underdogs. All the boys are up for this and we’re determined to win some silverware. Some people might say that we’d be better having the second leg at home, but when we won all those trophies with Bradford in the 1990s, we did better when we were at home first. We’ll be looking to get a big lead from the first leg on Thursday and then defending it at their place on Sunday.”
A bumper crowd is expected at South Tees Motorsport for the biggest meeting in Redcar’s short history - and among the guests will be Boro’s Premier League All Stars team who, with Havelock in their ranks, won the Sky TV soccer tournament.
BEARS' BIG NIGHT
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 23rd October 2007
Speedway was only resurrected on Teesside in April 2006 with the formation of the Redcar Bears Speedway Club at the South Tees Motorsport Park. On Thursday evening the new Bears, in only their second season, have reached a national speedway final. For at 7.30 they line up to face the Birmingham Brummies in the first leg of the Jack Young Shield Final. The team have battled through the rounds despite the absence of Matthieu Tresarrieu, who suffered serious knee and leg injuries in September, and their 16-year-old rider Josh Auty, who broke his right foot 48 hours before the semi-final away leg at Workington.
Now inspirational manager Brian Havelock and outstanding captain Gary Havelock will urge their brave troops forward once more into battle for the Bears biggest home match in their short life.. A victory with a reasonable margin is essential before the second leg at the Perry Barr Stadium in Birmingham on Sunday evening. With the Tyne Tees Trophy second leg being staged at the Motorpark on Monday evening - the Bears will want to return home in triumph with the prospect of two trophies in 24 hours.
Manager Havelock calls up the'hero of Workington' Joe Haines again to replace Josh Auty in the main body of the team. The dimunitive 16-year-old ex-Cleveland Bay scored five and one bonus for the Bears in Cumbria last Saturday evening and swung the aggregate victory the Bears' way. There was a solid ten point return for on-form Chris Kerr in support of Gary Havelock and James Grieves who scored a dozen each and the roles of Joe and Chris will be vital in the last analysis against a Birmingham side who have had their own injury problems. However they are spearheaded by Jason Lyons who has been prolific on his visits to the Motorpark whilst experienced Brummies team boss Graham Drury has imported some effective guests.
REDCAR BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. Rider replacement for Mathieu Tresarrieu, 3. James Grieves, 4. Joe Haines, 5. Chris Kerr, 6. Daniel Giffard, 7. Jack Hargreaves
BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES:
1. Rider replacement for Manuel Hauzinger, 2. Phil Morris, 3. Jason Lyons (C), 4. Shaun Tacey, 5. Jason King, 6. Barrie Evans, 7. Lee Smart
* Please note that Jason King of the Mildenhall Fen Tigers will guest for Birmingham in place of the originally scheduled Claus Vissing
* Among the special guests at the Final will be the Middlesbrough All Stars who recently won the Sky TV football tournament. Redcar Bears skipper Gary Havelock was a member of that team and they will parade their trophy during the match interval. Among the ex-Boro players are Bernie Slaven and Craig Hignett.
* The Final will be sponsored by SBV Fabrications of South Bank, Middlesbrough who are based opposite the speedway arena
BEARS IN FINAL
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 22nd October 2007
BRING on the Brummies - that was the battlecry from Redcar Bears boss Brian Havelock today after his side booked their place in the Young Shield final. The battling Bears went to Workington on Saturday night defending a 10-point first leg lead, and restricted their hosts to a narrow 47-43 victory on the night. That was good enough for a 93-7 aggregate win and a place in the final against Birmingham. They Bears will no entertain the Brummies in the first leg this Thursday evening, and visit Perry Barr for the second leg on Sunday evening.
Again it was an all-round team effort which saw the Bears through, with dependable top duo Gary Havelock - who won a superb heat five dice with Premier League Riders Champion James Wright - and James Grieves leading the way. But one of the most important performances came from pint-sized Joe Haines who was drafted in to replace the injured Josh Auty. The 16-year-old prospect weighed in with a paid six total and team boss Havelock snr admitted: “I’d have been happy if Josh had scored that, no sweat. He’s only the size of a bobbin but he can really shift. He was coming over and asking Gary advice and he was listening and taking it all in. I was really impressed with him.”
The Bears never let their hosts get a firm foothold in the match and even took a took a two-point lead after heat eight. And progress was assured when Havelock and Chris Kerr - who also had an impressive night - scored a 3-2 over Kauki Niemenen and Charles Wright. The Comets could have pulled it back if no Bears rider finished the final two races and the hosts had won a run-off too - but that was never going to happen. It sent the big band of travelling fans wild - and their support was not lost on team boss Havelock.
“The back straight was a sea of red - it was fantastic,” he said. “I know Workington were without Ulrich Ostergaard and Mattia Carpanese, but we were without Josh and Mat Tresarrieu, so it evened itself out. In fact, I thought we were going there with our hands tied without Josh, but the boys did the job. The longer the match went on, the more it went in our favour. We had a chat before the meeting and all the boys were really up for it. I’m feeling confident going into the final now. I think we can win it.”
COMETS:
Kauko Niemenen 14, James Wright 13, Craig Branney 9+2, John Branney 7, Charles Wright 3, Andrew Bargh 1, David Haigh (No 8) DNR, R/R for Ulrich Ostergaard.
BEARS:
Gary Havelock 12+1, James Grieves 12, Chris Kerr 9+1, Joe Haines 5+1, Dan Giffard 5, Jack Hargreaves 0, R/R for Mat Tresarrieu.
BEARS HOST PARADE FOR BORO ALL STARS TROPHY TO GO ON SHOW
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 22nd October 2007
BORO'S victorious Premier League All Stars team will finally parade their trophy in front of the Teesside public this week. Fame Academy star Alistair Griffin struck a dramatic late winner to earn Boro a stunning victory in the final of Sky One's ground-breaking TV soccer tournament against West Ham last month. Now the team, made up of Boro legends, celebrities and fans, is to be reunited this week.
They will parade their trophy during the interval at Redcar Bears' big Young Shield final, first leg, against Birmingham at South Tees Motorsports Park, Dormer Way, South Bank, on Thursday evening, starting at 7.30pm. The reunion is being organised by Bears skipper and former speedway world champion Gary Havelock, who was one of the celebrity players in the 10-man squad.
"Everybody in the squad except Mikkel Beck will be there," said Havelock, "and we will parade the trophy round the track. Bernie Slaven can't be there until around 8.30 because he's doing his Three Legends show, so we'll do it during the interval. It's the first parade on Teesside of the trophy and the victorious team since we won it. We thought we might have been invited to the Riverside to parade it but, as yet, we haven't, so I jumped in."
Boro were underdogs in every match they played at the All Stars Arena - but they bonded immediately and put some of the more fancied teams in their place. "The legends really took us under their wings and made us feel at home," said Havelock. "We had an excellent team spirit and that was what pulled us through at times. Certainly for us celebrities and fans, it's something that will stay with us forever. I've ridden in some big meetings all over the world and in front of some huge crowds, but I'd never been so nervous in my life as I was walking out with that Boro shirt on! It was fantastic for the region too, and let's not forget we won £100,000 for Teesside Hospice and the Butterwick House Children's Hospice."
JOE GETS NOD TO FACE COMETS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 20th October 2007
HOT prospect Joe Haines has been drafted into Redcar Bears’ Young Shield showdown tonight after it was confirmed that Josh Auty’s season is over. Auty has had his right leg put in plaster after breaking a bone at the top of his foot in a crash during Thursday’s South Tees Silver Helmet individual meeting.
Speedway’s complicated rulebook means that the Bears can only use a Conference League rider as a replacement - but in Haines they have an exciting young deputy. Still only 16, he won the British Under-15 Championship while with the Cleveland Bays and had a successful season with Scunthorpe this term. “It’s a blow to lose Josh,” said Bears boss Brian Havelock, who has been plagued by injuries all season, “but in Joe we’ve got someone who can gate and we’ve still got a chance of getting into the final.“Josh is a tough little devil and he’s been walking around, but he’s got quite a big pot on his leg so his season is over.”
The Bears take a 10-point first leg advantage to Derwent Park which, without the injured Mat Tresarrieu and now Auty as well, leaves them with a tough task - especially as they lost there by 20 points in the Premier League. But they secured an against-the- odds win at Glasgow in the second leg of their quarter-final without those two riders, so Havelock is refusing to rule out progress to the final. “I was really looking forward to it, but I’m a bit deflated now after losing Josh,” he admitted. “It’s going to be hard but we can still do it.
“We’ve got a 10-point lead so if we go 10 points down, which would make us level on aggregate, I can use a tactical ride where points count double - it’s a good option to have. “We need a bit of luck but, make not mistake, we’re going there with the intention of getting through.” The Comets have problems of their own going into the big match. Already without Mattia Carpense, Ulrich Ostergaard has also been ruled out after a knee injury he sustained early this month started to get progressively worse, while Premier League Riders Champion James Wright is still not 100% fit after suffering from a bout of tonsilitis which forced him to miss the South Tees Silver Helmet. Wright will solider on while R/R is used for Ostergaard and Andrew Bargh guests in place of Carpanese. The aggregate winners of the clash go through to meet Birmingham over two legs in the final.
COMETS:
1 Kauko Niemenen, 2 Andrew Bargh, 3 James Wright, 4 Craig Branney, 5 R/R for Ulrich Ostergaard, 6 Charles Wright, 7 John Branney.
BEARS:
1 Gary Havelock, 2 R/R for Mat Tresarrieu, 3 James Grieves 4 Joe haines, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
KARLSSON IS KING AS BEARS SUFFER
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 19th October 2007
WORLD Cup treble winner Peter Karlsson romped to a flawless 15-point maximum to keep the South Tees Silver Helmet in Elite League hands last night. But, while the Wolves and Sweden ace was showing a bumper STMP crowd what a class act he is, young Redcar Bears starlet Josh Auty was in James Cook University Hospital. The teenage crowd pleaser suffered a suspected broken metatarsal in his right foot, which has almost certainly ended his season.
The unfortunate Auty had nowhere to go after Jason Lyons crashed into the fence in heat three, and was thrown to the ground after running into the Australian’s machine. His leg was immediately put in a splint and he was taken to hospital straight away. Scunthorpe’s Joe Haines has now been lined up as a potential replacement for the Bears in their Young Shield semi-final second leg at Workington. It was a bruising night all round for the Bears, with Gary Havelock, James Grieves and Chris Kerr (twice) all coming to grief during the course of the meeting, though none were injured.
There were no such worries for Karlsson, however, who oozed quality on his way to winning the trophy, which was presented by injured 2006 winner Richard Hall. Chris Holder too had looked highly impressive in a high quality field that produced some fine racing, and was clearly eager to add to the Pride of the East crown he’d won at King’s Lynn the night before. He dropped his only points to Havelock and Karlsson in heat nine and took second place in the final points chart. With one round of rides left, Havelock and Holder were tied on 10 points, with Daniel Nermark of King’s Lynn breathing down their necks on nine. But Havelock’s hopes of a place on the rostrum were dashed in heat 17.Having ridden doggedly all evening, he went wide trying to pass race leader Grieves, but slid into the fence in the process. Holder’s win next time out and Nermark’s second place to Karlsson in the final race settled the podium positions. “It’s a bit disappointing,” admitted Havelock. “I did all the hard work in my first four rides, although the gates didn’t really work for me. “I beat Chris Holder and pushed PK really hard in that race and it felt good. In my last race it was just a case of too much traction, and down I went.”
Scorers:
Peter Karlsson 15, Chris Holder 13, Daniel Nermark 11, Gary Havelock 10, Josef Franc 10, James Grieves 10, Lewis Bridger 9, Jason Lyons 7, Chris Kerr 6, Dan Giffard 6, Freddie Lindgren 6, Ludvig Lindgren 5, Casper Wortman 5, Nicolai Klindt 4, Kenneth Hansen 1, Joe Haines 1, Josh Auty 0 (w/d).
SWEDISH ACE PETER IN HELMET MISSION
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 18th October 2007
THREE-TIME World Cup winner Peter Karlsson is so determined to win tonight’s South Tees Silver Helmet individual meeting that he’s flying in from Sweden specially to race. And the Wolverhampton star, who helped the Swedes lift the Ove Fundin Trophy in 2000, 2003 and 2004, was so eager to ride that he asked for a place in the line-up before the invitations had been sent out! With Chris Harris having to pull out because Coventry are in Craven Shield final action at Swindon tonight, Karlsson will start as favourite to take the honours. But he’ll have stiff opposition - including fellow Wolves and Sweden ace Freddie Lindgren, who was second last year.
Wolves and Redcar promoter Chris van Straaten said: “Peter was so excited about it that he actually came to me and asked if he could ride. He was due to fly in to Prestwich from Sweden this morning, and James Grieves was due to pick him and bring him down.” The Silver Helmet is the oldest surviving individual competition in British speedway, having first been staged during the pre-war years at Cleveland Park. And van Straaten has assembled a fitting line-up to compete for the prize.
Gary Havelock, Chris Kerr, James Grieves, Dan Giffard and Josh Auty fly the flag for the Bears, with PLRC winner James Wright heading a formidable contingent of Premier League names. That list also includes Birmingham’s Jason Lyons, who was brought in to replace Harris. As was the case last year, the meeting will also feature some fresh young overseas talent - this time in the shape of Sweden’s Ludvig Lindgren along with Danish pair Nicolai Klindt and Casper Wortman. Lindgren, the 17-year-old brother of Freddie, helped Team Kumla win the Swedish Division One title this season and had a stunning British debut in Monday’s Banks’s Olympique at Woverhampton. “He was quite remarkable,” observed van Straaten. “In one race he came from the back to beat Billy Hamill.”
Home hero Havelock wears the No 1 jacket and will be keen to improve on last year’s result when he was third. “Gary wears the No 1 jacket,” said van Straaten, “and nothing would make us happier than seeing him at No 1 at the end of the night as well.” The meeting is sponsored by Ceramic Tile Distribution of Stockton. The Silver Helmet - donated by Julie Lewis - will be presented by 2006 winner Richard Hall whose season was ended by a frightening fall at Sheffield in August. Each of the 16 riders in the line-up have five starts each over the 20 programmed heats.
Line-up (in draw order):
1 Gary Havelock (Redcar and England), 2 Josef Franc (Newcastle and Czech Republic), 3 Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne and England), 4 Chris Kerr (Redcar and USA), 5 Daniel Nermark (King’s Lynn and Sweden), 6 Chris Holder (Isle of Wight and Australia), 7 Dan Giffard (Redcar and England), 8 Ludvig Lindgren (Sweden), 9 Nicolai Klindt (Wolves and Denmark), 10 James Wright (Workington and England), 11 Peter Karlsson (Wolves and Sweden), 12 Freddie Lindgren (Wolves and Sweden), 13 Casper Wortman (Denmark), 14 Jason Lyons (Birmingham and Australia), 15 James Grieves (Redcar and Scotland), 16 Josh Auty (Redcar and England).
Reserves:
17 Joe Haines (Scunthorpe and England), 18 Rusty Hodgson (Redcar and England).
STAR INTERVIEW With JACK HARGREAVES
By Keith McGhie of ‘Speedway Star’ ~ Thursday 18th October 2007
Jack Hargreaves is one of the few Bears not on tonight’s star studded entry list but, had the field been put together during the last few days rather than several weeks ago, he would surely have been a certain inclusion. And the value of our likeable Shropshire teenager in last week’s stunning Young Shield, semi-final win, or in the return leg at Workington which is now scheduled for next Saturday, cannot be overestimated. Many people say that it is reserves that win trophies not the heat-leaders and, in these days when manager’s hands are loosely tied behind their back by the restrictions on tactical substitutions and the like, the importance of numbers six and seven is probably greater than ever.
When Dan and Jack have been going well – Redcar invariably do well, and it has been Jack’s timely return to form, plus more than useful points from Dan, that has kept the Bears’ in the hunt for two trophies going into the final fortnight of the season. It was a slightly relieved but positively bubbling Jack that I spoke to after his match-winning paid nine-point tally, including involvement in two crucial 5-1s during the last four races that gave the Bears that totally unexpected ten-point lead to take to Derwent Park.
He admitted: “I’m really happy that I seem to have found my form and it’s come as a massive confidence boost, I’ve had a lot of problems this year – not all within speedway and it’s been difficult at times but it’s nice to be able to finally show the fans what I can do I’m sorry it’s taken so long but I’m determined to finish the season on a high and help Redcar to one or maybe two trophies. The season is really ending at the wrong time for me but finishing on a high means I can go into the winter looking forward to next season and with the confidence that it will be better than most of 2006 has been. I even took some time out midway through the summer, then Chris van Straaten came in and gave me the chance and hopefully I can now begin to repay him for having the faith in me.”
After taking advantage of James Wright’s mechanical misfortune and linking with James Grieves for the 5-1 that drew Redcar level in heat 12, mild mannered former Stoke Jack rider turned ‘baby-faced assassin’ when he mugged both Craig and John Branney to repeat the feat with Josh Auty in heat 14. He recalled: “We were nearly equal off of the start line and both the Branney brothers know how to ride so it was difficult to know what to do. I knew if I didn’t get across and down onto the line Craig would have the advantage over me and, having forced my way ahead of him, I then had to keep swapping lines to keep them both at bay. I’m enjoying my racing again now, which is a massive help, and intend to work hard over the winter to get enough money to buy some new equipment and practice when I can, in order to be ready for the start of next season. Before that I hope we can win something as a team. We have a good chance of holding onto our 10-point lead when we go to Workington and I know the Tyne Tees Trophy is very important to the fans so I’ll be doing my very best to help Redcar hold onto it.”
SILVER HELMET LINE UP ANNOUNCED
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 16th October 2007
This Thursday evening at the South Tees Motorsport Park from 7.30pm the Redcar Bears Speedway Club stage the oldest surviving individual competition in the history of British Speedway - the Silver Helmet. The original Silver Helmet was raced for during the pre-war years at Cleveland Park: dated right back to the pioneering year of 1928. In the post-war era and until the demise of the sport at Cleveland Park in 1996 the event attracted the cream of the Premier League riders.
Under the present promotion it has attracted in 2006, and now in 2007, a fascinating brew of world-class stars, new talent from the Continent, Premier League big-hitters and the Redcar Bears in competition with each other for a change.
From the very top drawer of world speedway come the Swedish pair of Peter Karlsson and Freddie Lindgren. Peter is the captain of Wolverhampton Wolves in the Elite League and of the Swedish test team. He has led his nation to several World Team Cup Final victories in recent seasons and is a former Grand Prix competitor. Freddie is a team-mate of Peter with both Wolverhampton and Sweden. Very much his country's rising star, Freddie has been twice Swedish Under-21 Champion and a bronze medallist in the World Under-21 Final. He was runner-up in this event in 2006.
Among the leading Premier League riders are James Wright, Chris Holder and Daniel Nermark. James Wright of the Workington Comets has the distinction of winning both the Conference League Riders' Championship and the Premier League Riders' Championship in his short career. He is tipped by many to be the next young Englishman to make the breakthrough at international level. Chris Holder has successfully contributed to the success of the Isle of Wight Islanders in the Premier League Pairs and Premier League Fours titles. Chris has already represented Australia in the World Team Cup and is expected to move up to the Elite League in 2008.
Daniel Nermark of the Kings Lynn Stars is an experienced Swedish rider who has been a major points contributor to the East Anglian club's dominance in recent seasons. Besides Ludvig Lindgren - younger brother of Freddie - the other complete newcomers on parade are Nicolai Klindt of Denmark and his compatriot Casper Wortman. Ludvig is 17-years-old and helped Team Kumla win the Swedish Division One title this season. Nicolai is 18-years-old and was crowned European Under-19 Champion in Poland this August. He has been signed by Wolverhampton as part of their 2008 squad. Casper is 19-years-of-age and rides for the Fjelsted Club in his native Denmark. He is keen to showcase his riding skills on British tracks.
Of the home riders - former World Champion Gary Havelock finished on the podium in 2006 with third place whilst American Chris Kerr ruffled a few senior feathers with his performance last year. James Grieves continues to be in hot form and 16-year-old Josh Auty doesn't care about reputations when the tapes rise.
The meeting is sponsored by Ceramic Tile Distribution of Stockton-on-tees and the Silver Helmet kindly donated by Julie Lewis will be presented by last year's winner Richard Hall. He is unable to take part after suffering serious leg injuries at Sheffield Speedway in August. The event will feature 16 riders with five starts each over the 20 programmed heats.
The riders in draw order are:
1. Gary Havelock (Redcar and England)
2. Josef Franc (Newcastle and the Czech Republic)
3. Lewis Bridger (Eastbourne and England)
4. Chris Kerr (Redcar and USA)
5. Daniel Nermark (Kings Lynn and Sweden)
6. Chris Holder (Isle of Wight and Australia)
7. Daniel Giffard (Redcar and England)
8. Ludvig Lindgren (Unattached and Sweden)
9. Nicolai Klindt (Wolverhampton and Denmark)
10. James Wright (Workington and England)
11. Peter Karlsson (Wolverhampton and Sweden)
12. Freddie Lindgren (Wolverhampton and Sweden)
13. Casper Wortman (Unattached and Denmark)
14. Jason Lyons (Birmingham and Australia)
15. James Grieves (Redcar and Scotland)
16. Josh Auty (Redcar and England)
Reserves:
17. Joe Haines (Scunthorpe and England)
18. Rusty Hodgson (Redcar and England)
The second leg of the Jack Young Shield semi-final postponed last Saturday evening at Workington Speedway because of rain has been re-arranged for this Saturday evening at 7pm at the Derwent Park Stadium with a further reserve date of Sunday afternoon at 3pm. The Bears lead by 50-40 after the first leg at home.
The Bears also drew 45-45 away at Brough Park, Newcastle on Sunday evening in the first leg of the Tyne-Tees Trophy. The second leg is scheduled for the South Tees Motorsport Park on the evening of Thursday October 25th subject to the Bears' progress in the Jack Young Shield. Fixture changes will be advised via the club hotline on 09068 664 665, the club website at www.redcarspeedway.co.uk or through the local media
VOTE FOR THE BEAR OF THE YEAR
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 16th October 2007
You can now vote for the 2007 Redcar Speedway Bear of the year by Logging onto the Evening Gazette website: www.gazettelive.co.uk
Only one vote per email address is accepted, The Presentation will take place at the Marton Hotel and Country Club on the evening of Saturday 3rd November. Tickets are available from the Speedway Office on Race Nights.
REDCAR BEARS BATTLE BACK FOR DRAW
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 15th October 2007
REDCAR Bears have one hand on the Tyne Tees Trophy after holding hosts Newcastle to a 45-45 draw in the first leg of their battle for local pride last night. But, despite ensuring they’ll go into their home leg a week on Thursday with the scores all square, skipper Gary Havelock has warned his team against complacency. “In theory we’ve got one hand on the trophy now,” said the vastly experienced former world champion and England captain. “But I’ve been in speedway long enough to know that you should never be complacent. “If we go into the second leg thinking we’ve won it already, it could come back and bite us. “I’ll be telling all the boys that we’ve got to start off hard and tough in the second leg. “We’ve got to get stuck into them early on and finish the job off.”
Battling back from behind has been something of a Bears trademark this season, and they were at it again last night. Six points down after six heats, they chipped away, finally drawing level with two races remaining. Jack Hargreaves and Josh Auty followed Sean Stoddart home in heat 14 to ensure the scores remained level going into the final race, and the immaculate James Grieves took the final chequered flag of the night to secure the draw. Grieves was again the Bears’ star performer, rattling up four straight wins after finishing second in his opening race.
But it was a good team effort and the Bears might even have won on the night. Hargreaves was on course for a paid win behind Dan Giffard in heat two when he lifted coming out of the third turn and brought Paul Clews down in the process. And Havelock abandoned his first choice bike after being passed by George Stancl in his opening ride then finishing third next time out. “Something must have gone wrong with the bike I was riding in my first two rides,” said Havvy. “It just wasn’t right. “In heat one I put it down to the track being greasy and gave it another go in my second ride and once again I didn’t have any speed at all. I changed bikes and got a win and a paid win!”
BEARS:
James Grieves 14, Gary Havelock 8+1, Adam Roynon 6+1, Chris Kerr 6+1, Dan Giffard 6+1, Josh Auty 3+2, Jack Hargreaves 2.
DIAMONDS:
George Stancl 12, Josef Franc 11+2, Carl Wilkinson 9, Sean Stoddart 7+1, Paul Clews 5+1, Sam Dore 1+1, R/R for Jonas Raun.
SATURDAY’S scheduled Young Shield semi- final second leg between the Bears and Workington at Derwent Park was called off because of a waterlogged track. It will now take place this coming Saturday. In the final, the winners will meet Birmingham who completed a 97-84 aggregate win over Stoke in the other last four clash.
BEARS ALREADY FOR TWIN SILVERWARE BID
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 13th October 2007
IT’S the biggest weekend of the season so far for silverware-seeking Redcar Bears. Tomorrow they head up the A19 to Newcastle for the first leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy, the annual battle for local pride. But tonight the stakes are even higher when they head to Workington in the second leg of their Young Shield semi-final. Brian Havelock’s men staged a remarkable fightback to beat the Comets 50-40 in their home leg last Thursday.
And, though he is braced for a tough test, Havelock believes that 10-point lead could be enough of a springboard to propel them into the final against Birmingham or Stoke. “Our heads will be high after that win on Thursday said Havelock, himself a Comets fans’ favourite during his riding days. “We’ll go in the pits before the meeting and make sure they’re motivated. “If we go eight or ten points behind I’ve the option of using tactical rides, so we can stay with them. “I think that, with that 10-point lead, we might just do well.”
The Bears go into this evening’s match fresh from last weekend’s heroics when they not only defended an eight-point quarter-final first leg lead at Glasgow, but extended it by winning on the day as well. “That will help our lads tonight,” said Havelock, “although their riders won’t read too much into it. “Workington won’t look at it at all - they’ll just concentrate on their match on the night.” Last time the Bears visited Derwent Park they came away nursing a 20-point defeat, but Havelock is convinced there will be no repeat of that. He knows, however, that another all-round team effort will be required if his side are to reach their first nation final. “Our top three will ride the track well,” he said, “so hopefully the rest of the boys will go well there too.
The Bears and Workington both track unchanged teams for tonight’s fixture at Derwent Park. But at Newcastle tomorrow, Havelock has brought in Rye House’s Adam Roynon as a guest replacement for the injured Mat Tresarrieu. Both sides agreed not to use the rider replacement facility despite having injury problems, and the Diamonds have lined up George Stancl to replace Christian Henry while Workington’s Craig Branney lines up against the Bears for the third time in four nights when he takes the place of Jonas Raun. The local rivalry, as ever, will be intense, and Diamonds boss George English is determined to win back the trophy“There’s no way we want Redcar spoiling our last home night of the year again,” he said, “as I’ve taken enough stick over the past 12 months. “They haven’t stopped reminding me about that double victory in one day when Middlesbrough’s footballers beat the Magpies in the afternoon and then they won the speedway at our place in the evening.”
COMETS:
1 Kauko Niemenen, 2 R/R for Mattia Carpanese, 3 James Wright, 4 Craig Branney, 5 Ulrich Ostergaard, 6 Charles Wright, 7 John Branney.
BEARS (v Workington):
1 Gary Havelock, 2 R/R for Mat Tresarrieu, 3 James Grieves, 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
DIAMONDS:
1 George Stancl, 2 Craig Branney, 3 Josef Franc, 4 Sean Stoddart, 5 Carl Wilkinson, 6 Sam Dore, 7 Paul Clews.
BEARS (v Newcastle):
1 Gary Havelock, 2 Adam Roynon, 3 James Grieves, 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
JACK ROARS BACK
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 13th October 2007
A popular member of the 2006 Redcar Bears team, he returned to parent club Stoke at the start of this season with high hopes. But, after a series of disappointing meetings, he took a break from the sport and revealed he was undergoing counselling for depression. Bears promoter Chris van Straaten gave him a route back into the sport after finally losing patience with Jamie Courtney, although even then he took a while to find his feet.
He returned to the Bears side in August and, although we had to be patient, that old spark is now back. Hargreaves rode his socks off in last Sunday’s magnificent win at Glasgow, then followed it up with a paid nine return in Thursday’s Young Shield semi-final first leg against Workington. It was his best performance since returning to South Tees Motorsports Park and included two paid wins - the second after heroically keeping brothers Craig and John Branney at bay for four nail-biting laps.
“I’m really happy,” said a beaming Hargreaves this week. “I think I’ve got my form back, so I just need to keep going like this for the rest of the season. “I’ve just got to keep digging away. I’ve got my confidence back and I’ve got my old self back.” You only had to look at that race where he kept the Branneys behind him to know what he was talking about.The pair were breathing down his exhaust all the way and he said: “It wasn’t so much about speed as such because, if I’d gone out in my own race, either one could have got me.
“I wasn’t sure whether to ride inside or outside, so as soon as that chequered flag came out I was just relieved!” Now, with his confidence back and feeling himself again, he’s looking forward to playing a starring role in the Bears’ Young Shield and Tyne Tees Trophy challenges. “I’ve had a lot of problems outside speedway for personal reasons,” he said. “I’ve had a form of depression and I’ve had counselling. “Speedway didn’t help because, obviously, it affected that. I had time out and then Chris van Straaten asked me if I wanted to ride.“He said there was no pressure on me - just to try and do my best - and I’m thankful to him for letting me come here.
“If I hadn’t come back I would have been in the same situation, and I don’t know what would have happened. “I am more determined in speedway now, whereas earlier in the year I wasn’t.“I wasn’t paying attention to the bikes - but now I’ve got that back and I feel that I want it. I’m happy.”
A strong performance at reserve could be crucial as the Bears aim to protect a 10-point Young Shield semi-final lead at Derwent Park tonight, and then launch their bid for local bragging rights on Tyneside tomorrow. “I want to do well at Workington especially.” said Hargreaves. “Their track gives them a very big home advantage, but I want to do the business there. “I want to do the best I can at Workington then at Newcastle tomorrow and a week on Thursday when we’re back at home. “I want to make sure that, because I’m a reserve, I can win it for the team. “That is what probably what means more than anything to me - winning that trophy.”
The second leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy is scheduled for a week on Thursday at STMP. If the Bears overcome Workington to reach the final of the Young Shield, they will meet Birmingham (favourites after a big home win in the first leg) or Stoke at home and way on dates to be arranged.
BATTLING BEARS EYE PLACE IN THE FINAL
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 12th October 2007
REDCAR’S battling Bears will take a healthy 50-40 lead into the deciding leg of their Young Shield semi-final tomorrow after staging a stirring fightback last night. The Bears have consistently struggled to stamp their authority on the first page of the programme at South Tees Motorsports Park this season - and it was no different against Workington Comets last night. Six points down with eight heats gone, their hopes of reaching the final were looking bleak. But, to the delight of their biggest crowd of the season, they ripped their rivals apart from then on, rounding off the night with three successive 5-1s and a 4-2 to earn more than a fighting chance of making progress.
They had a slice of good fortune when Workington’s newly-premier crowned League Riders’ Champion James Wright was forced out by engine problems while leading heat 12. But that simply cancelled out the ill fortune suffered by Chris Kerr whose primary chain broke in spectacular fashion while he was leading the way in heat four. Skipper Gary Havelock was the Bears’ inspiration last night, dropping his only point to Ulrich Ostergaard - whom he went on to defeat twice - in heat six. He and Kerr gave a superb display of team riding to keep Ostergaard and Kauko Niemenen at bay for a 5-1 in heat 13 to put the Bears in front for the first time, and were also responsible for the final heat 4-2 over the same pairing.
But one of the biggest smiles in the pits belonged to Jack Hargreaves who scored two paid wins in a paid nine total - easily his best performance since returning to the club. The teenage reserve has started to hit form again lately and his heat 14 ride to fend of a determined two-pronged challenge from brothers John and Craig Branney was nothing short of heroic.
“After eight heats I was looking at my programme and thinking we’d have to go to their place level,” said team manager Brian Havelock, “and that would have been a big ask. But the last three or four heats were absolutely superb for us - we’re going to take a 10-point lead there now, and we’ve got a stronger team than the last time we went there. It’s still going to be tough but we’re in a good position and we’ll take a lot of supporters with us to the away leg. We’re over the moon. Jack turned it on in the later stages of the meeting He had a cracked exhaust pipe which I made him change, and he rode a lot better last night.”
Birmingham take a 54-38 lead to Stoke tomorrow night in the second leg of the other semi-final.
BEARS:
Gary Havelock 14, James Grieves 10+1, Josh Auty 9+1, Chris Kerr 9+1, Jack Hargreaves 6+3, Dan Giffard 2, R/R for Mat Tresarrieu.
COMETS:
Kauko Niemenen 10, Ulrich Ostergaard 9, John Branney 8+2, James Wright 7, Craig Branney 3+1, Charles Wright 3+1, Scott James (No 8) DNR, R/R for Mattia Carpanese.
THE Bears Supporters’ Group are running coaches to tomorrow’s Young Shield semi-final second leg at Workington (£16) and Sunday’s Tyne Tees Trophy first leg at Newcastle (£10). Call 07748 408713 to book.
HAVELOCK TARGETS SILVERWARE SUCCESS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 11th October 2007
RIDE like you did on Sunday and we’ll be the Young Shield champions. That was the challenge laid down by Redcar Bears boss Brian Havelock today as his side prepared for this evening’s semi-final first leg clash against Workington Comets at South Tees Motorsports Park (7.30pm start). The Comets scored a 20-point victory over the Bears in the Premier League earlier this season and lost by only six in the return match on Teesside. But Havelock says the spirit and commitment shown by his team in last weekend’s stunning 47-43 quarter-final second leg win at Glasgow has convinced him that the Bears’ name can be on the Shield.
“There was a 14-point deficit after we’d raced Workington home and away in the league,” said Havelock, a Comets favourite during his riding days, “but we have got a stronger team now. I think we can score seven or eight points more at their place this time, so I’m looking for a win of about 12 points tonight - and I believe we can do it. If we ride like we did at Glasgow, then we can beat anyone who’s left in the competition. It’s all about what you do as a team, not just how many points your top riders score. We’ve got two riders who are capable of scoring maximums, but it’s also about the other riders in the team doing the business. Jack Hargreaves and Dan Giffard showed what they can do at Glasgow - it was a big improvement from both of them, so I’m looking forward to more of the same from them.”
Both sides will use the rider replacement facility - the Bears for Mat Tresarrieu and Workington for Mattia Carpanese - while the visitors have been sweating on the fitness of reserve Charles Wright. He damaged his back and ankle in a crash at Newcastle on Sunday, but has gone on record as saying he plans to be in the Comets side tonight. The Bears welcome back Josh Auty who missed Sunday’s trip to Glasgow because he was needed by Scunthorpe, his Conference League team.
Workington’s main threat is likely to come from their top trio of new Premier League Riders’ Champion James Wright, Ulrich Ostergaard and Kauko Niemenen. “Their top three look strong,” said Havelock, “but I’m not sure about the rest of their team.”
Meanwhile, no agreement has yet been reached over potential home and away Halloween Trophy challenge matches against Scunthorpe. The Bears will wait to see how their Young Shield bid progresses before looking at the possibility any further meetings.
BEARS:
1 Gary Havelock, 2 R/R for Mat Tresarrieu, 3 James Grieves, 4 Josh Auty, 5 Chris Kerr, 6 Dan Giffard, 7 Jack Hargreaves.
COMETS:
1 Kauko Niemenen, 2 R/R for Mattia Carpanese, 3 James Wright, 4 Craig Branney, 5 Ulrich Ostergaard, 6 Charles Wright, 7 John Branney.
FIRST BEND ACTION VIDEOS
By Redcar Speeedway ~ Tuesday 9th October 2007
Premier League and Young Shield meetings on DVD for £16inc p&p. Orders can be taken on-line at either www.first-bend-action-videos.co.uk or on the back up site www.freewebs.com/first-bend-action-videos or alternatively by snail mail and cheque (made payable to Brian Logan) to;
FBAV, Nithsdale Cottage, Brandon Street, DUNOON PA23 8BU
Brian Logan ~ Official Glasgow Videos
email: first_bend_action2005-videos@yahoo.co.uk
STAR INTERVIEW with CHRIS KERR
By Keith McGhie of ‘Speedway Star’ ~ Monday 8th October 2007
Among the highlights of recent weeks and a major factor in the Bears late season bid for honours has been the re-emergence as a real force of Chris Kerr at the end of what our amiable California speedster admits has been a season which went a bit away from the plan. Chris began the year like an express train before a horrific second bend accident in the match against King’s Lynn on May 3, then a series of mechanical headaches, derailed the Bears’ current number five.
“The most frustrating thing was the season started really strong,” pointed out Chris after he had helped the Bears to a stunning double success over Glasgow last week. Then I had the accident and just after that I blew my engine and haven’t really been able to get going since. The last month things have picked up and I feel I’ve had more good meetings than bad during that time. I finished last year on a high and want to do the same again this season with a view to coming back in 2008 and starting off the way I did this year. I’ll be ready to go – that’s for sure – I’ll be doing a lot of training and practice as much as I can back home. I’ll work for my uncle, who refurbishes houses, but I’ll practice as much as I can as, although I live up in the mountains and we do get snow, we do get some decent weather also during the winter. I enjoy snowboarding too which helps keep me fit and sharp.”
Before that Chris and the rest of the team have their sights set on Young Shield glory, beginning tonight with good performance against Workington, and few riders have been getting more chance to practice recently. The mid-season dip means the ‘California Kid’ is batting well above his average at the moment and that has left him in demand by other promoters: He admits: “It worked out well in that way, although I’d obviously rather kept on scoring well and maintained a higher average. Usually at the end of a season riders begin to slow down a bit but my workload has actually picked up as a result. I’ve been to Workington, Stoke and Birmingham recently; I’ve done a few Elite League bookings for Eastbourne at Belle Vue and Ipswich and Wolves at Arena Essex plus a couple of meetings at Berwick a while ago…”
Another unexpected bonus was a maiden appearance at Swindon in the PLRC as a result of recent injuries to Gary Havelock and James Grieves. Having amassed just one from his opening three rides, Chris finished with a flurry, including a from behind victory over Sheffield’s former PLRC winner Andre Compton. “I switched bikes after my third ride and got a win and a second place and if I’d have started the meeting on my second bike I think I would have had a good chance of making the ‘semis’ – it only needed nine points and I had six from basically three rides."
The forthcoming 2006 South Tees Silver Helmet proved to be one of the highlights of Chris’s inaugural season in the UK with a superb overtake of a flying at the time Havvy standing out in the memory. The likes of British GP winner Chris Harris, Wolverhampton’s Swedish International stars Peter Karlsson and Freddie Lindgren, multiple Australian Under-21 Champion Chris Holder (already a maximum man here at the STMP this term), Premier League Riders Champion James Wright, British U-18 and Conference League Riders Champion Tai Woffinden, plus Havvy and Grievesy in the field make certain that this year’s individual spectacular will be every bit as keenly contested.
“I look forward to the challenge – it’s always good to test yourself against that s |
