boz

Forecast looked improved this morning and been dry so far, will do my best to keep this updated if it changes though (although I reckon a bit of rain might help the track!) Think this meeting really could go either way. A lot depends on which Kus turns up. We have had a slow start to the season, but all cobwebs should have been firmly blown away now. Comets are usually good value here, and Lawson certainly knows the quickest way round. Hoping for a narrow Bears win, but any result is possible!

Willing to give the benefit of the doubt for now - although its not a signing that excites. Guess the fact that it is a short term signing will have put a few potential riders off, is potentially only a 4 week team spot. Davey never really impressed me the times I seen him in the last couple of seasons, has rode a few second halves and junior meetings down here and never really stood out. Good luck to him though - I wish him all the best and fingers crossed it all works out for him and us.

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.

That was indeed mentioned, Arlo Bugeja was going to replace him but did not have the correct license.

Second year on the trot that Garrity failed to show for this meeting - very poor by him. Felt for Blair who blew an engine on 4th bend last lap of his second ride whilst well clear. Ritchie Worrall was superb and a very worthy winner - not bad considering he did not score a point at this meeting last year. Steve Worrall did well enough - but due to the formula used rode against Davey 3 times which made it hard for him. Very impressed by Pickard who was giving it his absolute all. Take my hat off to all the riders who gave it a go - heavy shower just before the start and then constant drizzle made conditions tough.

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.

Robson was superb - you almost wanted to see him miss the gate more often. Kerr was the big surprise for me - looked very very good again and shame he got a puncture when he did. Thought Complin was also very good value - Poole rode his socks off but was a little bit wild i thought.

Good luck to Jack Hirst! Was unbeaten round STMP in the NJL I believe and looks to have a future. Just a shame there are no NL teams further north for him.

Both Worrals looked good at the Redcar individual a few weeks ago, along with Branford and Birks got better as the night wore on. Disappointed Garrity pulled out but by all accounts he is very exciting.

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.

Was a great way to end the season last night, in front of the biggest crowd i can remember for a long, long time. Took a while for the meeting to get going, but once it did there was some excellent racing. A great way to end the season for Ty, and a great way to say goodbye to Redcar. Has been a joy to watch the last two years. Thought Chris was excellent, some of his passes were superb and think I speak for every redcar fan when I say we would love to see him back next year. He will certainly have his pick of clubs though. Maks was again superb, and look forward to watching him next season. He will be worth the entrance fee on his own. Big mention for Stuey Swales as well who had a great meeting. As for the other riders, thought Kenny Ingalls gave it everything. Was quite erratic in his first few rides but when he shot out the tapes he looked good. The young Swede again took a couple of rides to weigh up the track but then looked decent as well. Kildemand didnt look as quick as last year but was never off the pace. Roll on March!

Makovsky is in for Ashworth according to Havvy Snr on the radio last night. No big name riders like the last few years but think it will be a very close meeting and a few riders could win it.

Should be an absolutely fantastic meeting, quite a line up. Fair play to Wolves as well for fielding what is pretty much a full strength team!