boz

I'll get my grumbles out the way first. Why start 15 minutes late with the weather looking like it was. I can understand wanting to get the Ben Fund collection in (where no riders made it to us on second bend!), but in the circumstances could have been done better. Then to have an interval after heat 10 smacked of we have got the required number of heats out the way, we don't care. Did not agree with that at all. On to the meeting I thought the Bears were excellent, but slightly disappointed with some of the Bandits. Doolan and Pijper normally go well here but struggled tonight. Thought TJ gave it everything as always and was impressed with Gappmeir at reserve. Bears top 5 for me were all excellent. Bellego has been a different class this season and his pass of TJ in heat 6 was superb. And if only we had started the season with Busch. Alongside Bellego I would be getting their signatures sorted for next year. Bjerre was a bit hit and miss, but Jonas was quick and arguably Skidmores best performance this season. Slight concerns at reserve for me though. I think Nielsen is a tad unlucky, in that all his big scores seem to be away from home. Payne battled hard tonight for little reward and though he was unlucky to be replaced in his fina lride.

Weather still fine. Been overcast all day but no rain.

He has certainly took me by surprise this year. Always been decent round STMP, but did not think he would be as good as he has been. Seems to be much more consistent too. Fingers crossed we can tempt him back next season!

Been try and overcast all day a couple of miles from track - some rain yesterday but nothing to cause any concern. Last forecast i saw agrees with above, a chance of a light shower at 9 but ok till then. In terms of the meeting, I fancy a Bears win but not by much. The likes of Doolan, Pijper and TJ go well around here and Liam Carr at reserve tends to go well too.

Have to admit, we thought the same. Not complaining mind!

Great win for the Bears - for the second home meeting on the bounce I thought the tactical had screwed us over. Possibly fair to say the reserves were the difference, paid 9 from the excellent Bewley against the 0 from Phillips. Great battling display from the Bears though and Bellego and Bjerre were superb all night. I have said it before but Bellego is a joy to watch around the STMP and I'd be knocking on his door very heavily for next season already. Thought Lawson and Summers had their worst Redcar meetings in a while, but would probably still have gone with them for heat 15. Not the most passing in the world, but plenty of close racing and the close score towards the end kept it exciting.

Still dry a few miles from the track - seem to have missed most of the showers around. No further showers seem forecast so should be good to go.

Branford is guesting in place of Danny Ayres for Glasgow I believe. Not sure if Payne is fit for the Bears. For any Glasgow fans, had some light rain the last half hour or so and forecast seems to suggest further showers till 4 then just overcast. Barring any downpours we should be ok and the water may well help the track. I'll keep this as updated with I can regards the weather though. On paper should really be an away win - we have been better of late but would be surprised if we had enough to beat the Tigers.

No topic for this meeting yet. Both teams at full strength as far as im aware. We have seen some entertaining speedway this year, but would good to get a win on the board! Will be tough against a Rye House side on decent form, with riders who have gone well here in the past. Was impressed with Busch last week and looking forward to how he goes tonight. Need the reserves to step up again to get the win I feel. Narrow Bears win (although I say that every week)

I have it as Josh G, Skidmore, Bjerre, Starke

A pretty entertaining meeting I thought, and considering how dusty the track was there was some pretty decent racing. Draw probably just about the right result - Tigers certainly missed Bates but we definitely missed JBA as well. Bellego again excellent, seems to have found a really good setup and consistently looks very quick. Bjerre had another solid meeting and Busch improved as meeting went on. Looked very good in his last two rides, give him another week or two and think we will have a very decent rider on our hands. Stead was as you expect for Sheffield, Berge started off well but then had an ef and was on the end of a hard but fair move from Busch. Howarth was excellent value, and pulled off possibly the best ride i have seen at the STMP in heat 13. Right round the boards to pass first Bellego and then Bjerre. Great ride. Both Tigers reserves impressed me as well, couple of excellent wins for Sissis

Jonas big miss for us, but Bates normally flies round here so probably evens itself out. Would expect Lambert to outscore Nielsen, think a lot rests on which Kus turns up. Could score 15 or 5. Always optimistic, will go for narrow Bears win.

To be honest, there are not that many other viable options. From the little bits I have seen he will be a big step up from Bukhave so will improve the team. Should at least give us a chance of winning our home meetings.

Tobias Busch is the man

4 home and 4 away I believe (league or league cup meetings)

Have to admit thought the change would have been made by now - we have been waiting for Bukhave to hit the required matches so have had plenty of time to get something lined up.

Mikkel would be my preferred choice. Good form it seems this season on continent and would become an asset. Think Nielsen has done ok for us - although his best meetings seem to be away.

Was good too see two committed guests almost literally throwing the bikes at each other!

Agree with that, the Kus one on bend 4 I thought was very hard. Think Kus rode him hard on bend 4 and annoyed him a bit so re-paid the favour and a bit extra!

Rider of the night award is chosen by the meeting sponsors and is always a Redcar rider. To be fair to Ulrich, both Kus and Garcia were very forceful on him as well. Didn't appear to be any complaints from any of the riders involved.

Am actually slightly disappointed to come away with only a draw from that. I'm not one to normally blame 1 decision for costing us a meeting, but the decision to exclude Andersen from heat 5 has cost us the meeting. A clear cut case of all 4 back in my opinion. That being said a gutsy performance from the Bears + guests - not the most entertaining meeting of all time but the scores kept it interesting. Ulrich was very good value at number 1 - was stuffed up i na couple of heats but gave as good as got as well. His pass of Kus in heat 10 was certainly forceful. Branford impressed me as well - a good solid 6 and a decent audition for somewhere? Payne also very solid, 5+4 from your number 7 you can't complain. Only worry again was Bukhave. Not blaming the lad himself for the position he is in - but would be surprised if that was not his last home meeting for Redcar. One change will not make us into world beaters - but should at least give us enough to win some home meetings! For Newcastle, Kus showed he has not forgotten the quick way around the MPA after a bad first ride. Steve Worrall was also excellent. Robson was decent enough, and Garcia started well but man and machine seemed to struggle with the extra number of rides. Have to have a big concern over Phillips - if he was ever going to score points it would be here. Personally thought the Bears just deserved the win (I would say that!) - but pleased to see us not lose against a strong Newcastle select.

I actually think this might be decent meeting. Ulrich at 1 strengthens us, and Bellego and Andersen have been in excellent form. Hugh has been decent enough especially at home and Lee Payne has shown he is capable of a big meeting. Kus obviously knows the best way around the MPA, Garcia was excellent last week for Glasgow along and along with the Worralls should score well. And not many riders have done as many laps here as Danny Phillips. i would expect a 'Newcastle' win, but think (hope!) it should be closer than many think.

Branford will also guest for Nielsen..

Well I really enjoyed that meeting - certainly best meeting at redcar this season. Glasgow are certainly an excellent side , and to be honest at times didnt really get out of second gear. But i thought the track provided some excellent racing. And thank the lord for David Bellego. Absolutely outstanding. No-one has rode that line at Redcar to such good effect since Tressarieu (sp?). Jonas was also excellent and probably deserved a bit more. As I said, Glasgow maybe eased off slightly and as much as i hate to say it Worrall was excellent. Most impressive for me though was Garcia. First time at Redcar I believe and was excellent. Great style on the bike. Would pay to watch Lunna on his own as well, all action!

Late change for Bears. Simon Nielsen out injured, James Sargeant will replace him.