boz

Not been great for a while, but willing to give it the benefit of the doubt last night with the recent weather. Must have been hard to prepare with the temperatures. If it has not improved in the next couple of weeks then I would be worried.

Martin Neal (Evening Gazette journalist) has tweeted that Max has broken his leg.

Was a comfortable win, as expected for the Cubs as Phillips especially has had a lot of track time at the South Tees Motorsports Park, whereas not sure how many of the Stoke lads had ridden it. Was impressed with Luke Crang though, quick out the gates and looked smooth enough on the track. For Stoke, Ward actually looked the pick of the riders - shame he didnt start his last ride. Still, full credit to the boys as it was very cold by the time they started and the track was not at it's best.

Final score tonight, Redcar 23 - 13 stoke H1 - Phillips, Crang, farnaby, tedham - 5-1, 5-1 H2 - ward, jones, McDonald, Phillips (ef while a mile in front) - 1-5, 6-6 H3 - Crang, jones, ward, McDonald - 3-3, 9-9 H4 - Crang, Phillips, tedham, farnaby - 5-1,14-10 H5 - Crang, McDonald, farnaby, ward (n/s) 5-1, 19-11 H6 - Phillips, jones, McDonald, tedham 4-2,23-13 Cubs: Phillips - 8+1 McDonald - 4 Crang - 11+1 Fenwick - no show Spitfires: Tedham - 1 Farnaby - 2 Jones - 6 Ward - 4+1 Appears I was just too slow!

Newcastle were excellent, although without making excuses could tell they had had some meetings under their belt. Very impressed with lindgren, best rider on show for my money by far. Newcastle looked strong all the way through, even Kerr deserved more than he got after falling whilst second. For the bears, was pretty much a case of blow the cobwebs away. Most riders should a glimpse of their potential, but newcastle were just much sharper all night. Too early to make any real judgements, although was slightly disappointed in Wilko and Kus especially. Kus appeared to be riding a lawnmower at times. Best wishes go to Dilger and Wilko after the accident, looked very nasty indeed. On the plus side, Skidmore got better as night went on, and summers was always on the pace. On that showing though, would expect newcastle to be right up there again this season.

No real surprise that Dilger is the final rider. Decent looking side again, strength in depth with good reserves.

Would definitely have Matej back, he can be worth the admission on his own on his day. Towards the end of the year was riding well and would hopefully be a snip on his current average. Would not be unhappy with Ulrich back either.

Dilger has posted on Facebook that he has signed his first contract for next year so might well be him.. Would be happy if so, felt he did well last season. Would like to see most of the team that finished the year back..

News from dinner dance tonight is that Aaron Summers will be returning next season.

He did also say that it was a team who were still using some of there Sky money to do it - can't think of any other PL side who would have Sky money to do it. Whether its sour grapes from Havelock on missing out or not - I have no problem with Ipswich paying whatever they pay. You probably have some of the biggest gates and are no doubt looking on winning the league. He does look a cracking prospect though and a bit disappointed to be honest he is not joining us.

After the PL meeting tonight was a 7 heat meeting between Redcar and Somerset. HAve jotted down the scores and heat results if any use to anybody. Redcar - 25 Kyle Bickley - 23233 - 13 Luke Woodhall - 0111' - 3+1 Ben Woodhall - 13122' - 9+1 Somerset - 17 Jack Parkinson-Blackburn - 32331 - 12 Keiran Dicken - 12200 - 5 Lewis Whitmore - 0FNN - 0 Heat 1 - Parkinson-Blackburn, Bickley, Dicken, L Woodhall - 2-4 ,2-4 70.1 Heat 2 - Bickley, Parkinson-Blackburn, B Woodhall, Whitmore - 4-2, 6-6, 65.2 Heat 3 - B Woodhall, Dicken, L Woodhall, Whitmore F - 4-2, 10-8, 70.2 Whitmore looped at the tapes and both rider and bike took a hefty knock. Whitmore up and ok but bike damaged and had to withdraw from rest of mmeeting. Heat 4 - Parkinson-Blackburn, Bickley, Woodhall - 3-3, 13-11, 69.5 Heat 5 - Bickley, Dicken, L Woodhall - 4-2, 17-13, 68.9 Heat 6 - Parkinson-Blackburn, B Woodhall, L Woodhall, Dicken - 3-3, 20-16, 68.8 HEat 7 - Bickley, B Woodhall, Parkinson-Blackburn, Dicken - 5-1, 25-17, 69.0 Parkinson-Blackburns bike went back straight first lap when 2nd, managed to jump start it himself and pressure Woodhall for remaining few laps. VEry entertaining second half with plenty of passing and close racing, and great sportsmnaship shown by all riders. All presented with a trophy and gift at the end and watch by a decent crowd.

Probably good for someone like Jack Hirst, he is based up that way I believe and was great for Redcar in the Junior League last year. Sure he said he wanted to ride in NAtional League but only for a Northern side. Would be a good reserve at this level.

Would love to see a Northern track in the NL, whether it be the second team for one of the PL teams or an amalgamation of them all. Theres certainly a good few riders like Jack Hirst and Greg Blair who would certainly benefit from more regular competitive racing. Whether it would happen or not I dont know, but I thought the Nortern Academy League this season was fairly successful.

I dont have the exact time but it was in the 56 second region which is fast enough to have won races in the PL round Redcar this season. Think a few of the boys who rode would have something to offer in the PL next year at reserve, including Robert. I know a lot of people would like to see him at Redcar next season (and Im sure fans from other teams at there clubs!)

Was indeed a cracking meeting. Mightily impressed with both Worralls, Steve won the meeting with a good ride in the final whilst Richard was quick throughout and was very unlucky. Wrathall improved as the night wore on whilst Jack Hirst was not disgraced. Branford was again quick but perhaps was trying almost too hard on occasions and locking up. Felt very sorry for Greg Blair who was in my opinion the best rider of the night. His steel shoe fell off in the semi final whilst leading and hit his chain. His ride in heat 8 to get past Birks and Steve Worral was outstanding and I think he would have been on the top couple of steps on the podium. Wasnt a bad crowd either, although a shame a few more didnt turn out.

taken from our local paper, the Evening Gazette : Pocket rocket Joe Haines is celebrating his first speedway trophy after being crowned British Under-15 champion. Now the pint-sized Cleveland Bays starlet has his sights on going right to the very top. Haines, who turned 15 last month, has been a revelation in the Conference Shield this year, scoring double figures in all but one appearance for the South Bank-based Bays - and on the other occasion he recorded a paid maximum! Story continues ADVERTISEMENT He went into Saturday's final round of the British Under-15 Championship at South Tees Motorsports Park with a two-point lead over nearest challenger Ben Hopwood in the aggregate standings. And he duly completed the job on his home track, even coming from behind to beat Hopwood in the final. "It's brilliant," said Haines, who is rated one of the hottest young prospects in speedway. "Ben beat me once when I missed the start but beat him in the final." Among the spectators at Saturday's meeting was Redcar Bears captain Gary Havelock, who won the 1992 world championship. Now Haines believes he can follow in Havvy's tyretreads by winning the sport's richest prize after cutting his speedway teeth on Teesside. "If I didn't think I was going to become world champion, I wouldn't be doing it," said Haines. "It's no good coming second - winning is what it's all about." Haines scored 11 points from his four programmed rides on Saturday, losing only to Hopwood in his second outing. That was good enough to put him straight through to the final, along with Hopwood who scored ten. Adam Wrathall and George Piper made up the quartet in the final, but it was always going to be about Haines and Hopwood. Hopwood trapped the quickest but Haines had the measure of him, roaring past on the first lap and stayed in front. Next year there will be a 250cc British Championship for the young guns too, enabling our hottest young prospects to compete at an even younger age. The riders will use purpose-built Jawa engines and the initiative should put British riders on an even keel with their counterparts in Scandinavia where youth speedway has long since flourished. The 80cc engines used to such good effect by youngsters in Sweden and Denmark are no longer made, so the introduction of a 250cc championship over here will level the playing field. Fans at South Tees Motorsports Park on Saturday were given a glimpse of the future in the form of seven non-championship 250cc races. All were won by 12-year-old Marc Owen in some style - watch for the name in a few years! Cleveland Bays' final match of the season at home to Buxton Hitmen has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 26. It had been due to take place this Thursday, but that is when the Bears' rained off Tyne Tees Trophy first leg against Newcastle will now take place.

Joe was very quick indeed, about 1 second away from some of the times in the main meeting, very impressive indeed.

taken from updates on Redcar board: Second half match results ( was a bit confusing so apologies here ) Buffalos v Cobras H1 - Tai Woffinden, Joe Haines, Brendan Johnson, greg Blair, 4-2 55.8 H2 - James Sergeant, James Patterson, James Cartmell, Rusty Dougan, 2-4, 6-6, 62.5 H3 Joe Haines, James Patterson Woffinden (dnf), Cartnell (dns) 2-3, 8-9, 56.2 Cartnell looped at start, ref said all four back but Cartnell withdrew. NAsty looking fall but walked off track. Woffinden led but seemed to pull over to let other lads through and did not finish. H4 - Greg Blair, Brendan Johnson, James Sergeant, Rusty Dougan - 2-4, 10-13, 58.7 H5 - Greg Blair, James Sergeant - James Patterson, Rusty Dougan - 1-5, 11-18, 58.1 H6 - Joe Haines, Brendan Johnson, Greg Blair, James Sergeant - 2-4 ,13-22, 56.2 Entertaining second half, Haines a class above as expected but 12 year old (?) James Sergeant did very well ,great from the gate especially! Well done to all! Brednan Johnson did well as well once he got to grips with the track, looked very good in last heat. Was a pleasure to watch them all and hope to see them back up here soon.

Fantastic news that, have been very impressed with him when he has had rides in the second half. Obviously hard to judge how quick he is riding on his own but looks very good. Is this confirmed anywhere?

how did Greg Blair look? Seen him ride a few second halfs as well and was coming on in leaps and bounds until he got an injury.

thanks for that, didnt think he was old enough to sign for a club but was just wondering if he had any close links to clubs. Great to hear that there is even a slight possibility of him ending up with us at some point, has looked very good when i have seen him.

Hi, Anybody got any information about Joe Haines? Has rode in the last couple of second halfs at Redcar and has looked very impressive. He tied up to a contract anywhere? Ben Hopwood has also been in the last couple and looked very good too, both very promising riders indeed. Thanks

Absolutely fantastic meeting. Pretty much everything that could happen could, best meeting ive seen on TV for a very long time. Great to see the Brits do so well, thought we would struggle a bit but rode fantastically.