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LATEST NEWS ~ NOVEMBER 2006
DAN'S BACK
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette Wednesday 29th November 2006
Rider of the year Dan Giffard will be back with Redcar Bears in 2007. The South Tees Motorsports Park fans' favourite has signed on the dotted line to rejoin the Bears on another year-long loan deal from Elite League club Eastbourne. It means another season of eight-hour journeys from his Sussex home to every home match - but he's delighted to be back. "I'm really looking forward to next season," said the exciting 21-year-old former Weymouth star who was a consistently impressive performer this year."
"At the start of last season every press report you read reckoned that we'd be near the bottom of the table. We did much better than that and got into the play-offs, so I think we can we proud of our achievements. Hopefully next season we can do even better."
Giffard - who will move into the main body of the team after racing at reserve last year - joins Bears assets Mat Tresarrieu and Chris Kerr as confirmed starters for the Bears next year, while contract talks are planned with skipper Gary Havelock tomorrow. With his immediate future sorted, Giffard's first job will be to try and secure some sponsorship from companies in the area.
"I didn't get a single penny in sponsorship from the Teesside area last year," he revealed. "I think companies are under the impression that it would cost thousands and thousands of pounds - that's not the case at all. Any sponsor who came forward would be well advertised and well looked after. I need a new engine for next year, so it could really make a difference."
Anyone who may be able to help Giffard is asked to contact Bears' director of operations Gareth Rogers on 07901 844924 or gareth@redcarspeedway.co.uk,
STARS REUNITED - Title win heroes mark anniversary
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette Wednesday 29th November 2006
We are the champions... well, we were 25 years ago! The class of 81 were back together again this week as Teesside's speedway heroes of old gathered to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Middlesbrough Tigers' National League title victory. It was a memorable season for the Tigers in 1981, as they finished eight points clear of Weymouth in a 19-strong league. It was the first time a Middlesbrough speedway team had won a league title since the Bears won the 1947 National League Second Division and their last before Cleveland Park closed in 1996. And, along with team manager Tony Coupland, the bulk of the squad that brought glory to Teesside were back together this week.
Bernie Collier, Alan Armstrong, Martin Dixon, Mike Spink, Geoff Pusey and skipper Steve Wilcock all attended the reunion at Liberty's in Town, which also doubled up as the Cleveland Bays' end of season presentation evening. They all received a framed photograph of the victorious Tigers team, presented by special guest Alastair Brownlee.
Mark Courtney and current Redcar Bears manager Brian Havelock also rode for the Tigers in 1981 but were unavailable for the reunion while squad member John Place sadly died after a motorcycle crash in 1996. Other former Cleveland Park favourites who joined the celebrations included Dave Durham, Paul Bentley, Mike Smith, John and Scott Robson, Nig Close, Tony Swales and former manager Henry Atkinson.
Rusty Hodgson was presented with the Bays' Rider of the Year trophy, while Martin Emerson collected the award for the Most Improved Rider.
The Bays are set for a full season of action next year and will take their place in what is expected to be a 12-strong Conference League.
DANIEL GIFFARD RE-SIGNS FOR THE REDCAR BEARS
Bears 'Rider of the Year' signs - Tuesday 28th November 2006
21-year-old Daniel Giffard has agreed terms with Redcar Bears club owner Chris Van Straaten for the 2007 season. Daniel was voted 'Rider of the Year' by fans at the South Tees Motorsport Park after showing great improvement across the season from one of the Bears' reserve berths. it is likely that Daniel will move into a top five berth for the new season next March.
Daniel returns on loan from parent club the Eastbourne Eagles and will again commute to Teesside from his East Sussex base. He is seeking sponsorship in the region to allow him to invest in even better machinery for the next campaign and in the initial phase of his quest will receive the assistance of the club's Director of Operations Gareth Rogers who will advise any prospective backers on what profile and facilities are available. Any interested parties should contact gareth@redcarspeedway.co.uk or 07901 844 924.
With the Giffard deal done and dusted - attention is likely to turn this week to finalising the immediate future of club captain and former World Champion Gary Havelock. This will run parallel with seeking at least one new reserve with Jack Hargreaves now being confirmed as a member of the Stoke Potters 2007 Premier League squad. Jack rode on loan to the Bears in 2006 but has been recalled by his parent club.
'HONOUR HAVVY'
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette Tuesday 28th November 2006
Teesside speedway hero Gary Havelock deserves an award from the Queen. That's the view of former England manager John Berry who has called for the 1992 world champion to be recognised for his services to the sport. Eaglescliffe-born Havvy, who lives in Marton, has won honours galore in his glittering career and was captain of England, though not during Berry's reign. He's still going strong too as captain of the Redcar Bears - and Berry believes it's time Her Majesty took note. In his new book, More Confessions, out this week, Berry includes Havvy among ten speedway personalities he believes should be honoured.
"What made Gary Havelock so good for the sport was his enthusiasm and the fact that he embodied the youth of the 90s," writes Berry. "We had rock and roll in the 50s and 60s, then we had punk and protest in the 70s. By the time the late 80s and 90s came along, rebellion was no longer the fashion. Physical antisocialism by adolescents had been replaced by youthful nonconformity and Gary was able to represent the era of the articulate rather than the resentful. I thought long and hard about excluding Gary from the list because of some of the less endearing things about his activities, but I decided not to judge him against the moral attitudes of my era, but against the more liberal approach of his own. Having won a world championship entitles Gary Havelock to receive an honour. The fact that he became a very well thought of skipper for his country, and managed to balance the respect of the establishment with the aspirations of youth made him worthy of a place in my list."
Berry also named Boro Bears stars of the early 60s, Eric Boothroyd and Eric Boocock, as worthy candidates for a mention in the Queen's Honours List. He was also full of praise for Redcar Bears fans who have given speedway such a warm response since it returned to Teesside this year after a ten-year absence. Berry knows all about Teesside's passion for the sport, having been to Cleveland Park as boss of Ipswich and Wimbledon. And he writes: "It's great that Teesside, where the fans really appreciate good speedway, now has a successful new track in Redcar and a great personality to support in Gary Havelock."
Havelock is due to meet Bears owner Chris van Straaten for contract talks later this week, while Dan Giffard was also due to talk turkey with the club supremo after both were given permission by their respective parent clubs to discuss a further loan spell at South Tees Motorsports Park.
However it has been confirmed that Jack Hargreaves will return to Stoke, while Tomas Suchanek is being lined up for a loan move to Somerset after his parent club, Poole, refused the Bears permission to talk to him.
# To order your copy of More Confessions for £15.99 post free, phone the Retro Speedway hotline on 01708 734 502, or go online at www.retro-speedway.com, or post cheque (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway (Books), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AW.
PAST MEETS PRESENT
By Steve Harland Monday 27th November 2006
SPEEDWAY’S past met its present and future one in Middlesbrough at the weekend when the Redcar Speedway junior team the Cleveland Bays staged a presentation evening that also formed part of a reunion at Liberty’s in Town.
Organisers Jason Pipe and Steve Harland, the club’s junior development officers, were estatatic that so many people turned up to support the event but they acknowledged the back room team led by Yvonne Matthews, Lorraine Turner, Jan Hall & Jackie King, put on a superb spread and also brought many items of memorabilia that adorned the walls including programmes, photographs and pennants. Sky TV star Andy Tillett also made a rare appearance as did Century Radio's Middlesbrough FC fanatic, Alistair Brownlee, who presented all the riders with their trophies.
Almost 400 supporters turned up to pay homage to the present junior team whilst eagerly anticipating the opportunity to talk and listen too many of the riders who competed at Cleveland Park. Riders who appeared for the Cleveland Bays’ Conference Shield campaign lined-up alongside the 1981 National League Championship team in addition to riders from other eras including 1970s riders Dave Durham, Tony Swales and Nigel Close.
The evening got off to a poignant beginning when PA announcer for the evening, Gareth Rogers proposed a toast for absent friends, in honour of former Teesside captain Bruce Forrester, who died of Alzheimers Disease recently, and John Place who was a squad member of the 1981 side.
Every Cleveland Bays rider present was given a cash bonus and a momento for their efforts in the Conference Shield in 2006. Martin Emerson won the ‘Most Improved Rider’ category as chosen by the junior management team of Jason Pipe and Steve Harland, whilst Rusty Hodgson was the club’s ‘Rider of the Year’ as voted by the supporters. Other riders to attend included Gary Beaton, Jitendra Duffill, Steve Jones & Gary Irving.
But the loudest applause was for the appearance of the 1981 league champions, 25 years precisely to honour the riders who appeared for the club in its finest hour in the modern era. Both Steve Wilcock and Geoff Pusey received a rapturous response whilst Alan Armstrong, Bernie Collier, Martin Dixon, Mike Spink and team manager Tony Coupland all received generous applause. All the riders were given a framed team picture and interviewed by Gareth Rogers. Asked what was the highlight of that season Martin Dixon replied dryly: “You must mean the time Steve (Wilcock) had Mark Courtney by the throat in the pits at Boston!”. Bernie Collier was questioned about his brief appearance on a southern tour when he pre-dated the full monty on the back of his bike on the way from Exeter to Weymouth. Asked what was the motivating factor in the team’s ride to glory, Tony Coupland, explained that they had been close the year before finishing third when Rye House pipped them right at the death and there was a good spirit amongst everyone to finish the job. “It couldn’t have happened against better opposition than our local rivals from up the road (Newcastle),” he recalled.
Apologies were given for Brian Havelock (it was his daughter’s 40th birthday party in London) and Mark Courtney, whom Tony Coupland, said: “We’ve searched high and low for Mark: Dartmoor, Broadmoor and we still haven’t found the bugger!”.
Other riders who attended included Chris Baldwin, Mark Burrows, Phil Downes, Gary Flint, Kevin Keay, Brian & Peter Johnson, Chris Readshaw, Tony Richardson, John & Scott Robson, Barry Simpson, Mike Smith, Jamie, Jonathan & Stuart Swales. Former team manager Henry Atkinson, who worked for both Reg Fearman & Ron Wilson from 1961 through to 1976, was also in attendance.
A special presentation was made to Stoke rider Luke Priest who received a cheque for £125, half the proceeds of a raffle held on the evening. Luke received a warm round of applause and said he hopes to back riding again next Summer, pending a number of operations.
Both Jason & Steve spoke about how great it was when they knew Chris Van Straaten was bringing speedway back to Teesside and thanked all the sponsors who backed them in 2006 particularly Dave Scott of Scott Bros; Dennis Johnson of Just Automatics; Roy Myers of the Clarendon Hotel, Graham Abel of Hartburn Garage and Barry Simpson of Simpson Racing UK.
Musical entertainment was provided by former captain Martin Dixon with his band, including the 1971 Stars of Tomorrow champion at Berwick, Malcolm McPhie on keyboards, named appropriately, ‘the Mad Dogs!’ whilst Alistair Brownlee spoke of the sporting vacuum that was felt across Teesside when speedway racing ceased at Cleveland Park. He spoke warmly of his memories of being taken to the speedway by his father, who lived in South Bank just over the road from the current track at South Tees Motorsport Park. He also remarked that whenever he hears the words: ‘we stuffed Newcastle’, its music to his ears, no matter what the sport is!
DAN'S OUR MAN
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette - Wednesday 22nd November 2006
Negotiations have begun to keep rider of the year Dan Giffard with Redcar Bears for another season. But Stoke have refused them permission to talk to Jack Hargreaves about a return to South Tees Motorsports Park in 2007. Giffard was a big hit for the Bears this season, regularly weighing in with big scores from reserve during his year on loan from Eastbourne. The revised regulations for 2007 mean that he lines up with an average of just over 4.5 instead of 5.2 because British riders who came graduated from the Conference League are eligible for a 10% cut in their average. That was introduced to replace the rule that stated all Premier League teams must have two Conference League graded riders at reserve. So Giffard could line up at reserve again - but he is more likely to be in the main body of the team.
"We recognise that he can cope with that," said director of operations Gareth Rogers, "and that he aspires to be in the top five." Like Giffard, Stoke-owned Hargreaves has also expressed a preference for a return to Teesside next year. But Rogers explained: "Stoke have so far not granted permission to talk to him about his plans for 2007."
Meanwhile fans won't have to wait until next season for another dose of shalesport action - a winter meeting will take place at South Tees Motorsports Park on Saturday, December 30. Technically it will be a grass track meeting because only one permit per month can be issued for speedway meetings in the UK outside the regular season and Brighton (December), Newport (January) and Telford (February) are already on the calendar. So riders will be mounted on grass track bikes, which are similar to speedway machines but have a front suspension and a two-speed gearbox.
The meeting is the brainchild of Bears co-promoter Glyn Taylor, who will organise it in conjunction with Pickering DMC.
He hopes to run the meeting over a conventional 20-heat speedway format with four-man, four-lap races. Classes for 250cc, 350cc and flat track bikes will also be catered for, which should add up to a packed programme of around 40 races. Taylor says that if the event is a success it could be run as an international meeting next year. Taylor also revealed he had an area of land at South Tees Motorsports Park in mind for a potential future international grass track. The December 30 meeting is likely to start at around 2pm and admission will be £10 for adults with accompanied children free.
# Tickets (priced £5) are still available for the Cleveland Bays Rider of the Year/Middlesbrough Speedway Reunion evening at Liberty's in Town, Middlesbrough, on Saturday. There will be a buffet plus two sets from a band featuring former Boro Bears skipper Martin Dixon. Contact Jason Pipe on 07725 859968 or j.pipe_71@ntlworld.com
# Tickets are also available for a disco and quiz evening a to start off retiring Bears star Kevin Little's farewell celebrations. It takes place at the Thistle Hotel in Redcar on Thursday, November 30 and prices are £7 for adults and £3 for under-16s. They will be on sale at the Bays Rider of the Year night or you can secure yours by calling Lorraine on 07783 246996.
GIFFARD LIKELY TO BE IN TOP FIVE
Monday 20th November 2006
Following the conclusion of the AGM of the British Speedway Riders' Association it has been announced that the scheme for graded reserves in the Premier League has been removed although all clubs must have two young British riders in their septet. With a new 40 point limit introduced - without bonus points- the situation for Redcar Bears' 'Rider of the Year' Daniel Giffard is that it is likely that he will move out of a reserve berth into a top five place in the team line-up for the 2007 season. Daniel finished the 2006 season with an avaerage of just over 5.2 and the 10% reduction for British riders means he will carry an average of just over 4.5 into the next campaign. In theory this could keep him at reserve but with a 40 point limit on team strength the management recognise that Daniel is more than capable of being in the top five facing harder rides and aspires to make progress in the sport through competitiveness.
Negotiations between his parent club Eastbourne of the Elite League and Redcar are moving quickly and positively to secure his services for the Bears on loan for a further season. The 21-year-old drives up from Eastbourne in Sussex for his home matches at the South Tees Motorsport Park and was voted by the fans as 'Rider of the Year' for the improvement that was there was all to see and in so doing pipped his mentor Gary Havelock - the former World Champion and Bears' skipper - to the coveted award.
Whilst the arrangements with Eastbourne continue apace the news on talks between Redcar and Stoke over the future services of 18-year-old Jack Hargeaves have reached a current impasse with Stoke not granting permission for Redcar to speak to Jack about his availability for 2007.
The club is also actively on the trail of a rider whom they wish to replace the retired Kevin Little in the Bears team next season and further updates are expected on the club hotline 09068 555 801 as the week progresses.
American Chris Kerr and Frenchman Matthieu Tressarieu being assets of the Redcar Club have already been confirmed as starters for next season.
AGM STATEMENT
By BSPA - Monday 20th November 2006
BRITISH Speedway bosses have listened to the fans - and modified the controversial tactical ride rule. Promoters from all Elite and Premier League clubs met over the weekend in Coventry for the sport's AGM ahead of the 2007 season next March. And another one of the main issues from the three-day conference was the development of British youngsters.
As for the tactical ride rule, teams are only allowed to nominate a rider for double points from a starting position once in a meeting... and even then, that team has to be 10-points behind and not nine. Under the previous rule teams could potentially claw back a staggering 14-points from two races to turn meetings in their favour, a move which many fans were against.
The tactical substitution rule, where a rider can replace one of his colleagues for double points off a 15-metre handicap, remains as an option for team bosses when eight-points down. Again, this can only be used once. British Speedway chairman Pete Toogood said: "We've listened to the fans and come up with the modifcation to the rule. By keeping one tactical ride available, it means most riders will still have their four programmed rides in a meeting and this allows them to progress with age. This encourages riders to move up the speedway ladder through the three leagues which is important. By cutting the option to just one per meeting when 10-points down we feel we have reached a satisfactory solution."
Other decisions to come out of the AGM were:
*POINTS LIMIT: Elite League clubs must now build their teams to a combined average of no more than 42.5, not including bonus points. British riders who have progressed from the Academy / Conference League system will be given a discounted average for team building purposes when making the step into the Elite League.
Premier League clubs can build teams to 40-points (not including bonus) to include two British riders at reserve who have progressed from the Conference League.
*BRITISH ACADEMY LEAGUE: At least 15 clubs have given their intention to enter a team for the league to be run immediately after senior meetings. The British Speedway Promoters' Association remain committed to encouraging the progress and development of young British riders.
*NEW CLUB: Birmingham Brummies have been accepted into the 2007 Premier League.
*2007 SEASON: Starts on March 15.
*CHANGE OF TITLE: For the point awarded to teams for a win over two legs. This will now be called the Aggregate point.
*GREAT BRITAIN BOSS: Neil Middleditch will be invited to continue in charge of the national team and Peter Oakes will also be invited to continue as Under-21 manager.
*BRITISH SPEEDWAY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Pete Toogood - Somerset (Chairman), Chris Van Straaten - Wolverhampton & Redcar (Vice-Chairman), Colin Pratt - Coventry, Dave Pavitt - Isle of Wight, Neil Machin - Sheffield.
*RIDING ORDER: The top two riders in average order must be at numbers one and three in team riding order.
*RACE FORMAT: Heat 1 will see the number one riders start from the outside gates in order to give 'second strings' a better chance of success.
Heat 15 will again feature riders nominated by the respective team managers who can select from the top three scorers on the night and/or the top three in average order.
*ELITE LEAGUE: Arena-Essex, Belle Vue, Coventry, Eastbourne, Ipswich, Oxford, Peterborough, Poole, Reading, Swindon, Wolverhampton.
*ELITE LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Top 4 as 2006.
*ELITE LEAGUE PETER CRAVEN SHIELD: A proposal has been made to revamp and enhance the competition with a fifth rider in every race with a handicap format at the end of the season. The proposal has been put to the Speedway Riders' Association who were represented at the AGM.
*PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newcastle, Newport, Redcar, Rye House, Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.
*PREMIER LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS: Top 4, decided over two legs.
*PREMIER LEAGUE JACK YOUNG SHIELD: To be contested by Premier League clubs finishing 5th-12th in the regular standings.
*PREMIER TROPHY: This will start the season in three qualifying groups - North, Midlands and South.
Chairman Toogood said: "I was very impressed by the way club bosses made their feelings clear about the British riders, we all want to see them develop.
"This was a very positive AGM, obviously there were some tough decisions which had to be made and you can never please everybody, but we have all gone away knowing we've reached some very amicable agreements.
"We remain determined to build our sport up to the next level, we know we have a wonderful product and we are all committed to working hard in seeing the sport progress."
REDCAR REVIEW
Sunday 19th November 2006
This week sees the publication of the 'Redcar Review' - a 20 page A4 title featuring dedicated pages for the 2006 Redcar Bears with action photos, portraits and individual quotes; end of season statistics; full match by match home and away analysis plus the perspective of each member of the Bears' management team on the past campaign in the Premier League at the South Tees Motorsport Park.
Obtainable at £3 per copy after the main events at Saturday's Middlesbrough Bears 1981 reunion/Cleveland Bays' presentation evening at Liberty's in Linthorpe Road, Middlesborough or before Kevin Little's quiz evening and disco at the Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough at 7.30pm on Thursday November 30th.
Those not able to attend or general speedway fans can obtain a copy by sending a cheque or postal order for £4 (to include p&p) to:
SponSport Ltd
PO Box 4167
Walsall
West Midlands
WS3 1WZ
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