boz

Will be interesting to see how Matej goes - on his day is great round the STMP. Really hope he has rediscovered his confidence, if he has will go on to have a great season. Looking forward to seeing how we get on though - think we look solid without being spectacular but always hard to tell on paper.

I certainly do

Had a little bit of rain overnight but nothing significant. Forecast tomorrow doesnt look too bad although will be a bit chilly! Ill try and update the weather on here tomorrow. Looking forward to the first meeting of the season. A win would be good, just hoping to get all 7 through the first meeting unscathed!

Until the new website goes live, can find the fixtures here thanks to the Evening Gazette: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/speedway/redcar-ecco-finishing-bears-2014-6525427

I think Wilko can definitely improve his average - he certainly has the ability. Does need to sort out his equipment gremlins and keep on the bike! Lawson should do well - I really think Kozza was the key to the side though, in terms of points and entertainment. Hopefully we will keep in contact with him re next season.

I don't think it's all doom and gloom - although clearly losing Kozza is a massive blow. On paper, definitely not one of the stronger sides in the league. But then Speedway isn't raced on paper.. In Lawson we have the number 1 we didnt have last year so an improvement there. Graverson might not set the world on fire but will be a solid reserve/middle order man. Skidmore had a good first season with the Bears and would expect some improvement there. Slightly underwhelmed with the Hall signing but I do feel for the promotion on that one. Not a lot of options and I dare say some potential signings will have priced themselves out. They will have known how desperate we are so will have asked for that extra few £. On his day can look excellent, but I agree that away he may be slightly suspect. Maybe a change of scenery will help him kick on. My one hope is that we prepare the track for racing - towards the end of last season the racing definitely improved.

Massive blow for us - I loved watching Kozza ride at Redcar last season and was delighted when we signed him - a real entertainer. I'm clinging to the hope there has been some crossed wires somewhere!

I had heard something very similar. Can only assume in place of Nelson if he doesnt get his Visa.

Was a big improver throughout the season (along with Ryan Macdonald) in the NJL. As mentioned above, race wins against some of the big hitters on the NJL. Good to see him getting a chance in the NL, and great to see another graduate from the NJL.

Danny Phillips maybe? Think he rode at Kent in a meeting last year and don't think he is fixed up anywhere yet.

Still only 11/12 I believe. Currently Redcar's mascot.

As per the Evening Gazette, rest of the side is Wilkinson, Skidmore, Graverson and Luke Crang.

On an entirely selfish note, hope your number 7 is not Phillips. Would like to see him end up at Redcar at some point in the future

Lyons did struggle at the start of one year but then ended it very well so no real complaints from me. I do agree with RR's general principle though, would rather see riders on the way up rather than on the way down. Would love to see someone like Kozza Smith, a real entertainer who never gives up. Was real value for money at the silver helmet this year.

Good start to team building, and it is nice to have at least one or two familiar faces in the side. Interesting to see who the new number 1 might be, although fairly certain we hear the same thing every year and we have not ended up with one yet! Maybe someone dropping down from Elite? Or someone like Nick Morris who always seems to fly round our place (highly unlikely i know, but we can dream!)

Would also say that young Greenwood looked pretty decent at reserve. Always on the pace.

Congratulations to Somerset, they were excellent tonight. Doyle was excellent, along with Nick Morris. Always good value at the stmp. Thought Summers was superb for the Bears, great win in heat 15. Wilko was also excellent. Not a bad meeting to end the season

Can't help with lineups I'm afraid. Going off Twitter Kevin Doolan is down to ride tonight, who for is another thing! I'm assuming it's for Dyer. Been a cold, windy day so far with spells of light drizzle. Forecast is for much of the same for the rest of the day - would assume at this point it will go ahead but if rain gets any heavier then might be a problem.

Should be a great day of racing, looking forward to it. And sure the lads appreciate the extra track time too.

Not a bad looking side at all nyb. Think Ulrich on that average is a must. He is never going to be a 8-9 point man again but on decent kit is way better than 6.5. Jorgensen has had some great meetings at STMP as well. Skidmore has had a very decent season - very consistent and whilst he may not increase his average massively is always good for 6-7 points. Can't see Kus back next season and think Dyer will probably be off to Workington (if he comes back to the UK!) Entertainment wise would love to have Kozza Smith - was superb value at the Silver Helmet and really played to the crowd as well. A big fan of Phillips although not sure he would be ready for PL next season - maybe a full season in NL and then step up. Someone like Bates would be a decent option though. Big thing for me is to get the 'off-track' stuff sorted over the winter. For a large part of the season the track was awful. This has been much better the last month of the season so hopefully we now have that sorted. Think we do need some fresh ideas at the top though - and with the constant rumors of new directors it would be good to get that put to bed nice and early so we can all move on.

Right decision, been steady rain since half four. The biggest home meeting in our history, would have been a shame to run it in these conditions. Fingers crossed for better weather next week.

Interesting snippet at the end as well, with apparently Kyle Bickleys dad saying that Kyle would like to sign a contract with Redcar once he turns 16. I know that's still afew years away yet but the lad is a real talent.

Superb performance from the Bears in front of a very healthy crowd. Best Kus has rode for a long, long time - more like the Kus of old. Aaron took a little while to get going but his last few rides were superb. Some great passes from behind. Ulrich and Wilko both had good meetings and Skidmore was his very consistent self. Slightly disappointed in newcastle though. Worral never really looked like winning a race and Lindgren and Tully both very poor. Rosen looks another great find and Kerr started fantastically although tired. Still see Somerset as massive favorites now but you never know!

Whilst I agree with the general point of us finishing 6th and still being champions seems strange, I think it's harsh to say we have been rubbish all season. The last 6 weeks of the season have been pretty poor - but up until then we had rode pretty well. Not an outstanding team, but much better than in previous seasons and I think worthy of just creeping into 6th.

Been great to see the improvement in Dan Phillips this year. Looks almost untouchable at this level now, hopefully can take that confidence with him to Mildenhall and do well. Impressed with Shuttleworth again, and was also the first time i had seen Basford. He showed some real promise and was really going for it. And was great to see Kev get a win!