RedcarRacer

With Wilkinson in the top five, as Drac has confirmed, that only confirms that Havvy snr will be fielding the cheapest team possible available to him and not - as he suggests, one looking for honours, which is not hugely unexpected but again disappointing and not the approach that will get the fans back. This will certainly mean Mudgway will be offered a deal, which I cannot work out - he is not good enough, but will likely get in as he lives locally. I will be hugely disappointed if Dilger is not back in the team, he was a real plus point and a very good reserve at home. Not having Wilkinson in reserve is just poor team management, but again why I am surprised! Roll on the pre-season friendly with Newcastle/Berwick/Workington which is likely to be confirmed shortly too! Noting against them just get sick of seeing the same teams all the time.

He did actually look very good, and stood out for Leicester.

Deserved his place after good finish but just hope he will be at reserve, will be strong hopefully with Max.

Would imagine he will be at Fans forum on Thursday and will be asked about his future, or at the very least he did will be asked.

Redcar will confirm their second signing for 2013 on Thursday. I would imagine it will be one of our assets from 2012 team so that means Kus or Dilger, but you never know could be Ostergaard or Wilkinson. http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/motorsport-news/redcar-bears/2012/11/06/redcar-bears-set-to-announce-next-2013-capture-84229-32171149/

That is true, but not every rider in speedway takes the highest offer, yes it is common place and you cant be blame him, however by the same token I would suggest that Redcar should not return for these sorts of riders - especially the ones who show absolutely no loyalty to the fans. If you not going to sign for a team, dont say you will or make out like you will, just keep quiet.

I personally would not have Roynon back after he turned his back on us for a little more money, plus he is very injury prone and it is very unlikely your going to get a full season out of him. Summers is back as we know, and although a critic of Wilkinson he should be offered a place back - although he has to be at reserve on that average would be a huge waste otherwise - although I suspect we may not be first in line for Wilko, I know he said he would like to be back - but on that average a number of teams will be in for him and not sure we will get him, but you never know. I would take Summers, Kus, Dilger and Wilkinson from 2012 side, indeed I would also think about having Ostergaard back as he showed glimpses - indeed the team as a whole that finished looked tidy enough. I would not have Mudgway as that would mean Wilkinson in top five, if he does not come back then maybe Jade with Max.

I still cant for the life of me understand everyone banging on about MJJ - yes he is a fine prospect but he is not that far ahead of Woffinden, indeed would put them very much on par - I think Tai can offer the GP series a lot, can be controversial, speaks his mind but more importantly he CAN beat the World's best riders.

Why any British fan would sooner have MJJ in the GP over Woffinden amazes me! MJJ is talented yes, but Woffinden is only what? 22. He is a great talent too and one who with the right backing could qualify for the top 8 next year in the GPs, it would be tough but he is capable. Hampel, Ward, etc I dont care if they get in or not - Woffinden is the only one I want in, as no GB rider in the GPs would hugely detract from the event for me. I hope Sky are putting pressure on IMG and that it does sway them. I think Iversen getting in through the challenge makes it more likely that Woffinden will get in.

Indeed if CVS was to have another serious go at PL, will most likely be with Dudley rather than Redcar.

You need to look back a bit, but I dont mind researching my facts - but here you go - http://ts6.gazettelive.co.uk/local-news/sport/speedway-rain-claims-first-mat.html Print it out and show him as he will probably deny it, he denies most things in connection with Redcar!

Well that was printed by the Gazette so he can hardly deny saying it unless your saying Martin Neal is printing mis-quotes. And I am horrified that Taylor is even allowed in the STMP given what he did with the club - an absolute disgrace.

Taking from Evening Gazette website, as I do like to deal in facts. Speaking March 20th 2008, before Havvy snr was promoter, then promoter Glyn Taylor said: "The track length was 264m last year and now it's 271m. "It doesn't make any difference to the riding line but the track is fractionally bigger, so heat one will be a track record." Some disagree and dont think the kerb made a big difference, I personally do for the reasons stated, and it emphasises why since this date the banking on 3 and 4 are never used. PS I do hate to use quotes by Mr Taylor as I do detest the man after he did his best to shut the track and even tried to sack Gary Havelock before the fans bailed him out.

I have always backed the Havvy/Consortium promotion to the extent that they took over the club and helped save it, they were rewarded for this with good crowds and good takings. However, the penny pinching just cannot go on - this season the whole year went down the pan when Havvy jnr got injured, not because of his injury but the fact his replacement was merely the cheapest available. But the cheapness of the management was seen before this, booking Newcastle for a challenge, when we already had them in the KO Cup - sorry but Redcar fans dont want to watch Newcastle or any team a minimum of four times a year, but we all know why they were booked. The track is not great but that is not the issue - the team just is not entertaining, Redcar fans dont mind getting beat but you cannot serve dross week in, week out and try and label it as entertainment. The Silver Helmet line-up summed up the current disregard the management have for the fans - Havvy and the consortium feel they will get crowds no matter what they do, they have now pushed that to the extreme where loyal supporters and volunteers are now refusing to return. It is such a shame as the club has everything in place to be a success, just it is missing decent management, direction, promotion and a team worth shouting about. I do fear for speedway on Teesside, however, given the fan base is still here - I have heart somebody will come forward to take it on, but I am not sure whether the consortium/Havvy snr will relinquish control so easily. So I do echo Whiteliner's comments, please put the club in order CVS! The track was altered on the first and seconds corners by Glyn Taylor to lengthen the track a few years into the re-opening, albeit not much but with added banking too - it meant the riders were stopped from straightening up mid corner on bend 1 which previously allowed them to fly into 3 and 4 and use the banking - a technique the likes of Woffinden, Tressarieu and Kerr did with wonderful effect in the opening years. That is the reason the banking on 3 and 4 are no longer used by ANY rider, no matter how good.

Totally agree, I think AJ will be disheartened by the fact he has not challenged for top spot this year.

Wow, dont think many Redcar fans could see many more wins coming this season, let alone one at Rye House. Sounds like both Rye and Redcar have similar issues of apathy and financial belt tightning which is adversely affecting their excellent fans bases because if you serve up dross then people get sick very quickly. Brilliant from Max Dilger - cementing his place in next year's side if he hadnt already. Well done Max.

Lets get back to the thread here - the GP challenge is a huge meeting and BSI will be very nervous. They will want Vaculik to qualify for sure as otherwise he will take a wild card. Hampel could still get into an automatic spot too but a big ask - and he will defo get a pick. Personally I think Woffinden is a nailed on selection, sorry but the GP series DOES need a British rider, no matter what people think and I think Woffinden will do okay and he is worthy of being given a couple of years. Same goes for Ward, I think he is nailed on to get a wild card - end of the day is a wonderful rider and the GP series will be better with him in, end of. We cant forget Bjerre either, he has big sponsorship deals - but if Iversen and MJJ come through the Challenge then the chances of another Danish wild card are remote. I think Pavlic will be a huge danger at the challenge, and think he could easily take one of the spots at his home track. Think the way KK is riding too, then he could easily be in the reckoning. So I think Hampel, Ward and Woffinden already have three of the wild cards - last one will depend on the outcome of the challenge...although if AJ ( I think he will) doesnt auto qualify then I think he will get the last pick.

I sort of agree Simmo, but not sure the Consortium doesnt take a lot of the blame too - clearly they make sure the purse strings are tight too, just like Havvy snr does - think they have all done a lot of positives but something just isnt right at the club. It is such a shame as some clubs would kill to have the now very good infrastructure and core fan base Redcar have, if we had a side pushing for silverware or at the very least entertaining, then finance is not an issue at the club - but they are currently in danger of losing a lot of fans through pure apathy. One thing the club does need to improve is presentation - Gareth Rogers may do it out of good will, but he is truly awful - does nothing to get the home fans going at all. RIP Ron McNeil! Now there was a man who could present speedway!

At the moment not sure how many Redcar fans care about the opposition, morale on Teesside is at an all time low since the sport returned to us. Hard to put finger on as everyone was fairly happy with the team at the start but ever since early injury to Havvy it has gone rapidly down hill. Everyone moans about the track, but to be fair it has generally been a gaters paradise since we tweeked the track from its originally lay out - it is a fact that racing has never been as good since the early days as riders cant straighten up as early thus they can get the speed up to use the bank on 3 and 4 which is just a total waste of time now as the only people who go that far up end up falling anyway. But back to this week, hopefully the weather my get a few people there, but the team just has not got the fans on side. It really is a case of roll on 2013 and have to say only Summers should survive the 2012 cull. (and maybe Dilger).

Outstanding achievement by Leicester to be undefeated at home, even if you don't get 15 heats of entrainment every week - if you have a winning side, that will generally keep fans happy!

Very good showing from our very own Maks Gregoric, on less than 5 might be getting a call very soon!

Carl Wilkinson confirmed signed on loan for Redcar to replace Havvy, likely to be for remainder of the season but we shall see. http://www.redcarbears.co/News.aspx?NewsID=332

As has been said I think if Fisher and Barker stay fit they will be almost untouchable at home this mean Plymouth should be very, vey hard to beat at home and to be honest that is the basis for most clubs at the start of the season. And to be honest given Fisher and Barker are brilliant on most tracks they could easily catch someone on an off night. No way will they be bottom of the league IMO, but only if Barker and Fisher stay fit. And I know Bowden takes a lot of stick, but Barker and Fisher must be costing him a fortune!

Sedgman looking in good form, more and more happy with his signing!