LATEST NEWS FOR THE BEARS
& HAVVY 2008

LATEST NEWS PART 2 ~ AUGUST 2008

BATTLER CHRIS IS BACK ON TRACK FOR BEARS
By Gareth Rogers, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 28th August 2008
REDCAR Bears’ team boss Brian Havelock is full of praise for the way in which American rider Chris Kerr has retrieved his season after suffering serious injuries in March. That’s in addition to his penchant for scoring lots of points when the Newcastle Diamonds are around. Well-timed comments with the Bears taking on the Diamonds at the South Tees Motorsport Park tonight at 7.30pm. This in the second leg of the annual Tyne-Tees Trophy with the Bears already 48-42 ahead after the first leg at Newcastle.

Brian said: “Chris broke the fibula and tibia of his right leg in March. He made his comeback in July when he knew he was ready and has been on the button from day one. He was in storming form in March and we all knew he had to be as his work permit expires this season and he has to achieve at least a seven-point average at the end of the current campaign to be allowed back in 2009. We are so pleased for him that he has carried on the good work with a highlight being his 13 points at Newcastle in the Premier League fixture on August 3.”

Off-track the personable 23-year-old Californian has some important influences who keep him focused. He shares accommodation in Wolverhampton with the Bears’ Australian Ty Proctor, one of the most determined and ambitious newcomers to reach these shores in recent years, while he also has a new full-time mechanic in fellow American Merle Craven. New Yorker Merle is a former East Coast speedway rider and very much a “father figure” to his young compatriot. The duo were at Wolverhampton Speedway on Monday evening testing Chris’s motors.

The benefits of their professionalism will be required as the Diamonds welcome Josef Franc back to their ranks. At the same time the Diamonds will be missing club captain Richard Juul at reserve as he will be attending his grandmother’s funeral in Denmark. One new Diamond who is likely to receive a reasonable welcome on parade is 21-year-old Matyas Hlavacek who is well known around the Motorpark pits as a mechanic and who has practised regularly on the 271 metre shale oval.

For the Bears, Josh Auty has sorted the mechanical problems which curtailed his scores last Thursday against Glasgow though Benji Compton has not recovered from the shoulder injury sustained at Newcastle on Sunday and his place is taken by Redcar Cub Scott James, who has been on top form in the Conference League in recent weeks

BEARS
1 Gary Havelock (C); 2 Josh Auty; 3 James Grieves; 4 Chris Kerr; 5 Ty Proctor; 6 Scott James; 7 Arlo Bugeja.

DIAMONDS
1. George Stancl (C); 2 Sean Stoddart; 3 Josef Franc; 4 Matyas Hlavacek; 5 Jason King; 6 Jerran Hart; 7 Mitchell Davey.
 

BEARS TO RUB SALT INTO THE WOUND?
By Redcar Speedway ~ Tuesday 26th August 2008
The Redcar Bears face the Newcastle Diamonds in the second leg of the Tyne- Tees Trophy on Thursday evening at the South Tees Motorsport Park, South Bank, Middlesbrough with tapes up at 7.30pm. The Bears lead 48-42 following their away victory at the Newcastle Stadium last Sunday evening. The Diamonds are spearheaded by young Englishman Jason King who has been one of the success stories of the Tynesiders' season and who has accepted an invite to take part in the prestigious South Tees Silver Helmet on October 23rd such is his prowess around the Motorpark's 271 metre shale racing oval.

Giving firm support to Jason will be two Czech Republic internationals Josef Franc and George Stancl. Josef was unfortunately missing from the first leg of the Trophy because of riding commitments in his homeland and so the Diamonds will be happy to see his potential points contribution on Thursday evening. Stancl is one of the most stylish performers in the sport and always capable of providing competitive opposition. However a lot of friendly attention will be paid to Newcastle's new signing - also from the Czech Republic - Matyas Hlavacek.

Matty, as he is fondly known, is based in Middlesbrough and was the mechanic to compatriot Tomas Suchanek when he was a Redcar Bear in season 2006. Matty has since assisted other Bears' team members whilst also enjoying after-match practice at the Motorpark. His assessed seven-point average meant that he was not considered for a team spot with the Bears even though he is an accomplished member of the Mseno team in the Czech Extraleague. With Christian Henry suffering persistent shoulder problems the Newcastle management have snapped the 21-year-old up and even though Bears-Diamonds encounters are pretty tense affairs then there is likely to be some goodwill towards this popular young man as he takes his first tentative steps in British Speedway. Club captain Richard Juul will not be available due to a family funeral in his native Denmark.

For the Bears Benji Compton should be recovered from a heavy fall suffered during the Sunday encounter up on Tyneside while Josh Auty seems to have sorted the mechanical problems that devilled him during his latter races against Glasgow at home last Thursday. Chris Kerr meanwhile undertook extensive tests of his motors at Wolverhampton Speedway on Monday in a bid to build further on the good points tallies that he has earnt since returning from months away through an early season injury.

REDCAR 'TLS' BEARS
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2. Josh Auty, 3. James Grieves, 4. Chris Kerr, 5. Ty Proctor, 6. Benji Compton, 7. Arlo Bugeja

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS
1. George Stancl, 2. Sean Stoddart, 3. Josef Franc, 4. Matty Hlavacek, 5. Jason King, 6. Jerran Hart, 7. TBA

The End-of- Season Presentation Evening has been confirmed for Saturday October 25th at 7pm for 7.30pm start. The venue is the Marton Hotel and Country Club, Marton, Middlesbrough. The evening will commence with rider and mangement interviews then several awards for the Redcar Cubs and Redcar Bears climaxing in the 2008 'Bear of the Year' as voted for by the fans. The awards will be followed by a gargantuan buffet with the evening finishing on the extensive dancefloor. Tickets at £17.50 per head can be ordered from the Speedway Office on Thursday evening. Admission will only be by advance ticket on the evening.
 

GEM OF A WIN FOR BEARS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 25th August 2008
REDCAR Bears triumphed in the first leg of the Tyne-Tees Trophy at the Newcastle Stadium last night when they defeated the Newcastle Diamonds by 48-42. The scores were close throughout but a 5-1 heat win by Gary Havelock and Josh Auty in heat five took the Bears ahead by 16-14.

Although heat six saw the points shared 3-3 there was a spectacular outside pass by the Bears’ young Australian Ty Proctor on George Stancl and Sean Stoddart. The visitors’ margin was improved further in heat eight when Arlo Bugeja and Josh Auty recorded another 5-1 heat win for a 27-21 lead. With the fast-starting James Grieves, the consistent Gary Havelock and the supportive Chris Kerr all winning heats from that point the Bears were able to maintain the difference and yet again taste victory on Tyneside.

The second leg is at the South Tees Motorsport on Thursday evening at 7.30pm when the Diamonds will have heat leader Josef Franc back from commitments in the Czech Republic.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS
J.King 15, G.Stancl 12+2, R.Juul 9+2, S.Stoddart 4, J.Hart 2+1, M.Hlavacek 0, rider replacement for J.Franc

REDCAR BEARS
J.Grieves 13, G.Havelock 10, T.Proctor 7, J.Auty 6+4, C.Kerr 6+1, A.Bugeja 5, B.Compton 1
 

HAVVY'S DERBY BATTLECRY
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 23rd August 2008
BEARS skipper Gary Havelock has issued a derby battlecry as his team prepares to take on Newcastle Diamonds (tapes up 5.30pm). “A good bit of Geordie bashing - you can’t beat it, it’s the best feeling in the world,” declared Havelock ominously. The former World Champion was reflecting on the Bears’ recent home and away victories over the Diamonds in the Premier League.

Redcar have the chance to make it three in a row in tomorrow evening’s first leg of the annual Tyne Tees Trophy at the Newcastle Stadium (formerly Brough Park). The recent clash up the A1 saw around 500 Bears fans make their presence felt and team boss Brian Havelock believes they will be out in force again. “In the past era of speedway in the North-east, the Diamonds were the dominant team when it came to results in all competitions,” said the gaffer. “Since the Bears came back to the South Tees Motorsport Park in 2006 the reverse has been true and we are loving it. I’ve told Newcastle boss George English that I’m bringing my cricket bat to both the first leg on Sunday evening and the second leg next Thursday at home because we could score a century of points. I have the actual Tyne Tees Trophy in my possession but he’ll only see it on display before I whisk it back to my Teesside home.”

Brian’s confidence is high following the Bears' 55-38 home victory against the Glasgow Tigers on Thursday with the top five all winning at least a heat each despite mechanical problems for young Josh Auty.

In an interesting move, the Diamonds have signed 21-year-old Czech Republic rider Matyus Hlavacek who is based in Middlesbrough and is normally the mechanic to former Redcar Bear and compatriot Tomas Suchanek. Matty, as he is fondly known, has been practising after race meetings at the Motorpark but a required assessed average of 7.00 prevented the Bears from considering him for a team place. With the Diamonds missing Christian Henry with a persistent shoulder problem then their management have moved quickly to fill the gap.

DIAMONDS
1. George Stancl 2. Sean Stoddart 3. Josef Franc 4. Matyus Hlavacek 5. Jason King 6. Jerran Hart 7. Richard Juul (C)

BEARS
1. Gary Havelock (C) 2. Josh Auty 3. James Grieves 4. Chris Kerr 5. Ty Proctor 6. Benji Compton 7. Arlo Bugeja
 

BEARS TAKE TIGERS DESPITE CLOSE CALL
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 22nd August 2008
THE Redcar Bears saw off a mid-match revival from Glasgow Tigers to win their latest Premier League fixture 55-38 at South Tees Motorsport Park. The Bears had led 26-10 after six heats but in heat seven the Glasgow team manager Stewart Dickson invoked the tactical ride rule whereby Shane Parker could score double points if he finished in front of an opponent. Partnered by guest reserve Klaus Jakobsen from Stoke, Parker took the heat 8-1.

Then, in heat eight, Bears’ 17-year-old rider Josh Auty stalled on the start line allowing the lively Jakobsen to win the heat and be followed across the finish line by Lee Dicken for a 5-1 win to narrow Bears’ lead to just 28-23. There was a strong and immediate response by James Grieves and Chris Kerr in heat nine as they posted a 5-1 but Glasgow were still able to take 4-2 heat advantages in heats 10 and 12.

However in heat 13, with Bears skipper Gary Havelock in a dominant lead, Ty Proctor came through a wheel-to-wheel battle with opponent Robert Ksiezak to claim second spot and that 5-1 score followed by a 4-2 from Chris Kerr and Benji Compton in the penultimate 14th heat and a final heat 5-1 by Gary Havelock and James Grieves over the very effective Parker wrapped up the league points for the Bears. For both Havelock and Grieves it was sweet revenge as Parker had defeated them earlier in the match in two of the outstanding races of the night.

Bears manager Brian Havelock said: “I was pleased with the efforts of our top five riders tonight. Josh was unlucky as he started the meeting in great style following Gary home for an opening heat 5-1 and then won his second outing in heat six. We think it was a fuel problem that caused him to not get off the line in heat eight and the switch to his second bike did not prove at all successful in heat 10. The rest of the boys kept up their momentum although Shane Parker was in great form considering that he has not ridden for three months. I’m confident that the result will secure a sufficient league position for us to qualify for the Jack Young Shield which we won last season.”

BEARS
Gary Havelock 13+1, James Grieves 12+2, Ty Proctor 9+1, Chris Kerr 9+1, Josh Auty 5+1, Arlo Bugeja 4, Benji Compton 3+1

TIGERS
Shane Parker 15, Klaus Jakobsen 9+1, Lee Dicken 4+1, Trent Leverington 4, Robert Ksieszak 3, Anders Anderson 3, Mitchell Davey 0
 

JOSH TURNING JEERS INTO CHEERS AS TEAM BENEFIT
By Gareth Rogers, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 21st August 2008
THE 100% improvement by Redcar Bears’ 17-year-old second string Josh Auty has been a vital factor in the team’s improved results, says team manager Brian Havelock. It’s all the more important as the Bears face a very solid Glasgow Tigers at the South Tees Motorsport Park in the Premier League tonight from 7.30pm.

Havelock said: “Josh came to us with a lot of raw talent but struggled initially to turn that into a consistent points return once he had left school and became a full-time racer. I even had a section of fans lobbying me for his removal. But I've been around the game long enough to recognise that young lads take time to settle. Don't forget that my Gary was 16 when he made his debut for the Middlesbrough Bears at Cleveland Park so from experience I'm prepared to be more patient than the terrace experts. Anybody with sense could see Josh would come good and so it has proved. Although Josh doesn't like riding in heat one - and very few riders do - his pairing with Gary means that he has to get out of the gate with him,” added Havvy Snr. “That has ensured a healthier points tally, plus he has combined with Gary for several first heat 5-1s at home and away which really rattles the opposition's cage and sets our own boys up in the right frame of mind.”

With one of the Premier League's top stars Shane Parker back in action for the Scottish visitors after a prolonged absence through the after effects of pneumonia, the rest of the team will be inspired by his presence. Glasgow track five Australians normally and so the battles between them and the Bears' Aussie duo Ty Proctor and Arlo Bugeja should be something to behold. The 21-year-old Proctor goes into this fixture on the back of a 15-point maximum at the Motorpark against the Newcastle Diamonds last week.

His performances mean that he is riding well above the pre-season five point assessed average set down by the Department of Employment in granting him a work visa and means that he is one of the personal success stories among Premier League newcomers this season. Ty has now put himself in the frame for selection for a three match test series at Under-23 level between Great Britain and Australia next month.

While Glasgow only track ex-Middlesbrough Bear Parker as a top heat leader their strength is in depth and the points return of Auty, Proctor and American Chris Kerr will be vital in the 'engine room' of the Bears team if the balance of scores are to be in their favour.

REDCAR BEARS
1. Gary Havelock (C) 2. Josh Auty 3. James Grieves 4. Chris Kerr 5. Ty Proctor 6. Benji Compton 7. Arlo Bugeja

GLASGOW TIGERS
1. Robert Ksiezak 2. Lee Dicken 3. Shane Parker 4. Anders Anderson 5. Trent Leverington (C) 6. Mitchell Davey 7. Klaus Jacobsen (Guest).
 

BEARS BLUNT DIAMONDS WITH PROCTOR MAX
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 16th August 2008
WONDER from Down Under Ty Proctor roared to his first 15-point maximum last night as Redcar Bears demolished derby rivals Newcastle 59-33. Redcar Bears' Aussie star Ty Proctor is given the bumps after his first ever 15-point full house in British speedway against Newcastle Diamonds. The match had been delayed 24 hours due to heavy rain - but, boy, it was worth it! Anyone who thinks there is no passing in speedway any more should be tied to a chair and made to watch a video of this meeting.

It may have ended in a convincing victory for the TLS Bears but the racing was as breath-takingly exciting as it you’ll find anywhere. Even Proctor - who was presented with the Jake Brudenell Memorial Trophy for being the Bears’ man-of-the- match - had to come from the back. He went round Jason King - the one visiting rider who could head back to Tyneside with any credibility - coming out of the final bend in heat seven, then powered from last to first in heat 13. With Chris Kerr scoring well too, the pair’s switch in riding order certainly seems to have worked a treat.

“I’ve been saying all day that I was going to get a maximum,” said a delighted Proctor, who arrived in the UK as a complete unknown in March. “I was very determined to do it. It’s coming slowly - I think there’s plenty more in the tank. It’s wicked! I didn’t want to be at No 4 and I told (team manager) Brian Havelock that. I felt I could do better at No 5 and I think that’s been proved right.”

The scene was set for the night in heat one when Josh Auty, having been passed by George Stancl, dived inside the Czech to regain second place and partner Gary Havelock to a 5-1. Diamonds boss George English - who had lost Christian Henry with the recurrence of an old shoulder injury after his first ride - threw in Stancl as a tactical double in 11. But the best he could do was split the Bears pairing of Proctor and Benji Compton, meaning they were unable to add to their one solitary heat advantage of the night.

Once again the top five looked a formidable unit, but the two reserves made useful contributions too. Arlo Bugeja came up with the move of the night when he came from nowhere to blast round Sean Stoddart and Richard Juul to slot in behind Auty - who maintained his best run of form this year - while Cubs starlet Compton gave his most confident performance since being given a run in the side. And let’s not forget Scottish braveheart James Grieves. Left floundering frustratingly at the back in his opening ride after finding himself down on power on a bike he’d just spent £3,000 on completely rebuilding after wrecking it at the Scottish Open in Edinburgh, he switched to his spare and only dropped one more point all night.

BEARS
Ty Proctor 15, Gary Havelock 12+2, Josh Auty 8+3, James Grieves 8, Chris Kerr 7+3, Benji Compton 5, arlo Bugeja 4+1.

DIAMONDS
Jason King 11, George Stancl 9, Richard Juul 5, Josef Franc 4+2, Jerran Hart 3, Sean Stoddart 1, Christian Henry 0 (withdrawn).
 

BEARS CAN DO THE DERBY DOUBLE!
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 15th August 2008
BACK to full strength Newcastle are being tipped to give Redcar Bears a tougher test when they visit South Tees Motorsports Park tonight. But TLS Bears boss Brian Havelock is still backing his side to complete a derby double over their nearest neighbours. The Diamonds were without skipper Christian Henry and promising young reserve Jerran Hart when they crashed 48-42 at home to the Bears earlier this month. But both have returned to fitness in time for this evening’s Premier League return fixture (tapes up 7.30) - which was hastily rearranged after being rained off last night - and scored well against whipping boys Mildenhall on Sunday.

Indeed Hart was just one point away from a paid maximum and Havelock admitted: “They’re going to be a stronger side than they were when we went there. But don’t forget we were without James Grieves for that match - that weakened us but we still won. Newcastle will be stronger at reserve because Jerran Hart is back and Dickie Juul drops down from No 4 and that will suit him better. But our top five should take care of them. After doing what we did at their place, there’s something seriously wrong if we don’t beat them at home.”

Since winning on Tyneside, the Bears have given an assured performance to beat the Isle of Wight and pushed leaders Somerset closer than anyone else in the PL at the Oak Tree Arena this year. Ty Proctor returns to the No 5 berth for tonight’s match, with Chris Kerr going back to No 4. Havelock was keen to keep the riding order as it was, but Proctor was not happy at No 4 and promoter Glyn Taylor took the decision to make the switch. Cubs rider Benji Compton retains the No 6 jacket and Havelock is convinced he’s on the verge of a big score. “I can see a little sparkle in Benji,” he said. “Even when he’s at the back, he gives 100%.”

Last week’s kids go free entrance offer will be repeated tonight. All accompanied children under 12 will not only be admitted free of charge but also receive a free hot dog and soft drink. THE Bears’ Premier League match at Stoke has been rescheduled again. It now takes place on Sunday, September 14 (7.30pm).

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

DIAMONDS
1 George Stancl, 2 Sean Stoddart, 3 Josef Franc, 4 Jason King, 5 Christian Henry, 6 Jerran Hart, 7 Richard Juul.
 

DIAMONDS CLASH POSTPONED
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 14th August 2008
TONIGHT’S scheduled Premier League derby clash between Redcar Bears and Newcastle has been postponed due to a waterlogged track and will now take place tomorrow tonight (tapes up 7.30pm). The track was under water yesterday and, with today’s forecast of further rain, TLS Bears promoter Glyn Taylor acted swiftly to rearrange the match. Accompanied children aged under 12 will be admitted free to the meeting and will also get a free hot dog and soft drink.
 

ON THE RADIO
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 11th August 2008
Brian Havelock will be the studio guest of Alastair Brownlee this Wednesday evening between 7pm and 8pm on BBC Tees 95fm. Brian will preview the derby match against Newcastle. This will be a weekly slot for the Redcar Bears with a Bears guest until the end of the season.

Gary Havelock was the first guest on Wednesday August 6th and scheduled to be on air in future programmes are Josh Auty, Arlo Bugeja and Kiwi Cub Jade Mudgeway.

Gareth Rogers will be the guest on the Matthew Davies Breakfast Show on BBC Tees on Thursday August 21st between 8.30am and 10am.
 

SPARKLING LINE UP FOR THE DIAMONDS
By Redcar Speedway ~ Monday 11th August 2008
The Newcastle Diamonds are back at full strength for their visit to the South Tees Motorsport Park, South Bank, Middlesbrough on Thursday evening in Premier League action against the Redcar Bears at 7.30pm. When the original staging was scheduled on July 31st the Diamonds were without captain Christian Henry and his re-appearance allows them to field a competitive reserve pairing in the shape of veteran Richard Juul and promising teenager Jerran Hart who, like Christian Henry, was not available a fortnight prior.

Czech Republic internationals George Stancl and Josef Franc have always scored well at the South Tees circuit while Jason King has been on outstanding form at home and away for the Diamonds in the past month. With Sean Stoddart rating the Bears' track as one of his favourites then the Tynesiders will fancy their chances despite a 48-42 home loss to the Bears on August 3rd. In fact it would not be an understatement to record that the club, riders and fans will be heading down the A1 thirsting for revenge!

The Bears will be encouraged by their victory last Thursday over a lively and competitive Isle of Wight team with Gary Havelock unbeaten by an opponent and Chris Kerr logging three heat wins. Also their away performance at Somerset Speedway, Highbridge the following evening when their 42 point tally was the highest by any Premier League team at the Oak Tree Arena this season. So another classic North-East derby is in store with both sides now looking very even on paper and with no complacency in team manager Brian Havelock's camp.

There will be a special offer for Under-12s on Thursday evening with free admission plus a free hotdog and drink from the catering outlets. Said club owner Glyn Taylor - 'It's always difficult in the Summer holidays to keep the kids occupied and at a reasonable cost. This is our way of helping that out.'

Further fixture news for the Bears is that they are now at Stoke Speedway on the evening of Sunday September 14th.

REDCAR 'TLS. BEARS
1. Gary Havelock (C), 2, Josh Auty, 3. James Grieves, 4. Chris Kerr, 5. Ty Proctor, 6. Benji Compton, 7. Arlo Bugeja

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS
1. George Stancl, 2. Sean Stoddart, 3. Josef Franc, 4. Jason King, 5. Christian Henry (C), 6. Jerran Hart, 7. Richard Juul
 

BEARS PUSH LEADER TO THE BRINK
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 8th August 2008
BATTLING Redcar Bears gave Premier League leaders Somerset a hell of a fright before going down 48-42 last night. The Rebels have made a habit of blowing visiting teams away at the Oak Tree Arena this season, but the TLS Bears had them sweating. Twice Brian Havelock’s men had their noses in front and their score was the highest recorded by a visiting team in the Premier League this season.

Gary Havelock played another superb captain’s innings and was given solid support by back-to-form Josh Auty – forced to travel with only one bike after discovering a crack in his frame after Thursday’s win over the Isle of Wight – along with Chris Kerr and Ty Proctor. Usually dependable heat leader James Grieves struggled to make an impression on a track where he traditionally finds the going tough – but it was nonetheless a rousing performance by the Bears.

To the delight of a healthy contingent of travelling fans, the Bears took the first race 5-1 through Havelock and Auty and, although the Rebels quickly levelled things up, the Bears edged ahead again and it was heat seven before the home supporters saw their team in front.

Reserve Stefan Katt (14 +4) gave them a sting in the tail but even then they were always looking over their shoulder with Havelock, Auty, Proctor and Kerr a match for any of their riders. It wasn’t all from the gate either, and Havelock produced the ride of the night in heat 11 when he fought his way from behind to beat Jordan Frampton.

“It was a brilliant match,” said manager Brian Havelock. “We were unlucky. We had an off night – mentioning no names but it was there to be seen – but we had an excellent meeting and their team manager was sweating cobs all night. They’re a cracking side but good luck to them. Every rider they’ve brought in this season has improved. The travelling fans have been good again and we heard them. After five heats I though we had a chance because the Somerset riders’ heads were down a bit.”

While Kerr is relishing his switch to No 5 in the riding order, Proctor is known to not be greatly happy with his new slot at No 4. However with Auty now riding to his true potential again, Havelock has revealed he his likely to put the highly-regarded teenager at No 4 on Thursday, with Proctor going to No 2.

REBELS
Stephan Katt 14+4, Jason Doyle 12+1, Jordan Frampton 9, Emil Kramer 7, Brent Werner 5+2, Matthias Kröger 1+1, R/R for Simon Walker

BEARS
Gary Havelock 12+1, Ty Proctor 11, Chris Kerr 7+1, Josh Auty 6+1, James Grieves 3+1, Arlo Bugeja 2, Jay Herne 1.
 

HAVELOCK LEADS WAY TO POINTS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Friday 8th August 2008
IN-FORM Redcar Bears continued their push for a Premier League play-off spot last night with a 52-41 win over the Isle of Wight in a gloriously entertaining meeting at South Tees Motorsports Park. They were in control from the off but had to battle from behind several times and also saw their flying start pegged back again when the Islanders took full advantage of the tactical double rule. Maximum man Gary Havelock was unbeaten by an opponent in his four rides while Chris Kerr again looked at ease in the No 5 slot and racked up three wins while Ty Proctor gave another solid display.

Josh Auty is finally showing his form of last season while James Grieves made a welcome return after his fall at Edinburgh on Friday. He admitted to still having a stiff neck before the meeting but it didn’t prevent him from giving an all-action performance. He blasted round the outside to bat Krzystof Stojanowksi and win heat nine then, in the race of the night, got the better of Glen Phillips in heat 12 after the pair twice swapped places.

Havelock and Auty were in on the act too – the latter riding great first and second turns to slot in behind the skipper in heat six before getting his reward for dogged persistence in heat eight by finding a way past James Holder, while Havvy roared round Paul Fry in heat 10 despite being left the narrowest of gaps. Havelock and Auty had set the TLS Bears on their way with an opening heat 5-1 and with six races gone they were 23-13 up.

The lead was slashed to just three points when Fry took the chequered flag with team-mate Phillips behind him in second place – but the Bears quickly began rebuilding their advantage. The visitors ended on a high when Fry and Stojanowksi team-rode superbly to keep Grieves and Auty at bay for a 5-1 in the final race – but the night belonged to the Bears.

“It was a brilliant meeting,” said manager Brian Havelock. “There was very little water on the track and very little dirt and we had a cracking match. But I didn’t expect them to come here and win like they did last year. I was always fairly confident of a win because they’re not as strong as they have been. The riding order is perfect and we looked good all through the team – Benji Compton rode very well considering he only got three points.”

BEARS
Gary Havelock 11+1, James Grieves 11, Chris Kerr 10, Josh Auty 9+2, Ty Proctor 7+2, Benji Compton 3, Arlo Bugeja 1.

ISLANDERS
Paul Fry 13+1, Krzystof Stojanowski 9, Jason Bunyan 6, Glen Phillips 4+1, Richard Sweetman 4+1, James Holder 3, Andrew Bargh 2+1.
 

GRIEVES BACK FOR ISLANDERS BATTLE
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Thursday 7th August 2008
TOUGH as nails heat leader James Grieves will be back in the saddle for Redcar Bears’ Premier League clash with the Isle of Wight tonight. The Flying Scotsman missed Sunday’s rousing derby win at Newcastle after suffering concussion in a frightening fall during Friday’s Scottish Open individual meeting at Edinburgh, caused by his engine seizing. But he’s been passed fit and will take his place in the TLS Bears team for tonight’s match against the Islanders (tapes up 7.30pm).

“He’s 100% fit and he’s riding,” said delighted boss Brian Havelock. “We thought he’d be the one rider we’d really miss at Newcastle because of the experience he’s got there, but in the end we won without him. But it’s important we give another good performance tonight because we don’t want to undo all that good work by slipping up at home.”

Victory tonight would leapfrog the Bears above their visitors - who destroyed Newcastle 68-22 at Smallbrook on Tuesday - into sixth place in the table. Havelock has not ruled out a late challenge for a place in the play-offs, but has told his team they must remain unbeaten at home for the rest of the season if they are to finish in the top four.

“With three points for an away win now, you can find yourselves moving up the table,” he said. “But we need to keep it up. For example we’ve still got to go to Stoke (who won at Birmingham last night) and they’ve got Lee Complin back and they’re starting to find some form. So it’s important we win the rest of our home meetings this season.”

The Islanders inflicted a heavy 20-point home defeat on the Bears last summer - but without chief tormentors Cory Gathercole and Chris Holder, Havelock expects the outcome to be much different. “I don’t think they’ll have the strength in depth to beat us,” he said. Accompanied children aged under 12 will be admitted free to tonight’s meeting - and they’ll also get a free drink and hot dog. It will hopefully make the kids happy and ease the burden on mum and dad’s pocket a bit,” said promoter Glyn Taylor.

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

ISLANDERS
1 Jason Bunyan, 2 James Holder, 3 Glen Phillips, 4 Paul Fry, 5 Krzysztof Stojanowski, 6 Andrew Bargh, 7 Richard Sweetman.

THE Bears’ postponed Premier League match against Newcastle will be restaged next Thursday with the visit of Glasgow shifting to Thursday, August 21. The Bears make a quick return to Newcastle Stadium on Sunday, August 24, for the first leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy with the return leg scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 4. Stoke will now visit on Thursday, September 18, and entertain the Bears on Saturday, September 20.
 

BEARS TAKE DERBY HONOURS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Monday 4th August 2008
REDCAR Bears defied the injury-enforced absence of heat leader James Grieves to win a pulsating North-east derby at Newcastle last night. And, after watching his side take the local bragging rights with a 48-42 victory, team manager Brian Havelock is backing his side to force their way into the Premier League play-off picture. Former Newcastle star Grieves was ruled out of the trip to Tyneside after taking a heavy bang on the head in his opening ride at Friday’s Scottish Open at Edinburgh.

But while the hosts were left to reflect on a dismal one-point return from the rider replacement facility to cover for their injured skipper Christian Henry, the Bears clinched victory thanks to a solid all-round performance. Skipper Gary Havelock struggled to get to grips with a track which took a good soaking from a heavy downpour just before the start, but Ty Proctor was his usual free-scoring self, Josh Auty had arguably his best meeting of the season and Chris Kerr, who switched to a bike containing one of Dan Giffard’s engines after his first ride, posted his highest score since returning from injury.

Three times the home side edged in front, but couldn’t make their lead stick, and the pendulum swung the other way when Kerr and Proctor teamed up for the only 5-1 of the night in heat 10. The Bears stretched their lead in an incredible heat 11 as Auty forced his way to the front and Havelock, having been relegated to the back, found a way inside Sean Stoddart coming out of the final bend.

The points were wrapped up in a controversial heat 14, from which the Bears needed only a 4-2 to take the match. Proctor got away in front but, when Arlo Bugeja fell on the pit bend as Richard Juul went in hard underneath him, the trainee referee taking charge of the race excluded the home skipper. When it was restarted Proctor duly led the way from the tapes and, with Bugeja happy to collect the one point on offer for third behind Stoddart, the huge contingent of travelling fans were sent wild with delight.

“I’m over the moon with that,” said manager Havelock. “And I think with another away win we can start thinking of a place in the top four. We’ve put a bit of distance between us and Newcastle and, with three points for an away win, it soon starts mounting up. It was a proper team performance - even Benji Compton was unlucky. He fell when he was in a good position and that knocked him back for the rest of the night.”

The Newcastle camp clearly believed Juul was unfairly excluded in heat 14. Havelock had a good vantage point of the incident and said: “There was a coming together and Arlo went down. That’s all you can say - it was six and two threes.” Meanwhile Grieves is hoping to be back in the side for this Thursday's home meeting with the Isle of Wight.

DIAMONDS
Jason King 14, Josef Franc 10, Sean Stoddart 9+1, George Stancl 7, Richard Juul 1, Adam McKinna 1, R/R for Christian Henry.

BEARS
Ty Proctor 14+2, Chris Kerr 13, Josh Auty 10+1, Gary Havelock 6+3, Arlo Bugeja 5+1, Benji Compton 0, R/R for James Grieves.
 

HAVELOCK TIPS BEARS TO TAKE DERBY POINTS
By Martin Neal, Evening Gazette ~ Saturday 2nd August 2008
LAST time Redcar Bears were at Newcastle, the meeting was held up by heavy snow. Now TLS Bears boss Brian Havelock is backing his side to go down a storm when they return to Tyneside tomorrow. The Diamonds triumphed 52-38 when the sides clashed in the Premier Trophy at Newcastle Stadium in March, but Havelock is expecting a different outcome this time. On that occasion only former Diamond James Grieves and Chris Kerr reached double figures for Redcar, who could muster just one paltry point from the reserve berths.

Since then, however, Arlo Bugeja has often been a capable scorer while Benji Compton has impressed Havelock when deputising for the injured Dan Giffard. “We’re capable of going there and getting a win,” insisted Havelock. “But it’s going to be down to how the reserves perform. They’re without Jerran Hart and we’re without Dan Giffard - but we’ve got Benji in the side and he’s coming along nicely. Birmingham won at Newcastle so I don’t see why we can’t. Bear in mind that we should have won at Birmingham and we would have done, instead of losing by a single point, if we hadn’t been the victims of such back luck.”

The Diamonds are likely to be without shoulder injury victim Christian Henry again and will used rider replacement as cover, while a guest will be brought in to fill the gap left by Hart.

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

DIAMONDS
1 Josef Franc, 2 R/R for Christian Henry, 3 George Stancl, 4 Richard Juul, 5 Jason King, 6 TBA, 7 Sean Stoddart

THE rained-off home match against Newcastle is now likely to take place a week on Thursday (August 14). The Diamonds are already due to visit South Tees Motorsports park for the first leg of the Tyne Tees Trophy that night, so the Bears management are looking at making it a league match instead.