Big defeat at Redcar

On a track where we have generally been competitive in the past the Stellar Monarchs gave one of their most ineffective performances for a long time and were swept aside by a score of 58-32.

Team manager John Campbell was to some extent lost for words and said "It was very disappointing indeed, we should be far better than that. All we can say is that Josh Pickering had a good night and Paco Castagna made a decent return after his time out with injury. That was it."

Captain Pickering won his first two races and also heat 15, and scored in his other races other than heat 10, his tactical substitute ride. In this one Charles Wright off gate three lifted and two-wheeled across the turn causing Pickering to shut off. He made his feelings known to the referee but the official didn't seem to have appreciated what had happened.

Josh did beat his own track record in heat 4, but he didn't even finish the night as holder because Connor Bailey knocked a further 0.1 sec off the new time in heat 9.

Craig Cook normally excels on this circuit but seemed to completely lack pace, and it transpires that his no. 1 bike has not yet been returned to him after last Friday's incident at Armadale.

The only other Monarch to get out in front was Castagna who briefly led a couple of times, but his insistence on riding tight lines made it a fairly simple matter for the home riders to sweep past.

Bastian Borke's gating was so poor he didn't give himself much chance of scoring well, and Max Clegg's night started with an engine failure after a decent start in heat 2 before he managed to grab three thirds.

All of the home riders recorded wins and paid wins and must have been amazed how easily they won this match. Monarchs have suffered a run of misfortunes this season but instead of wilting, they need to snap out of it and stop the campaign petering out. Next up: Oxford at Armadale.

Castagna Back As Monarchs Head To Redcar

The Stellar Monarchs are back on the road on Friday as they head for Teesside to take on the Redcar Bears in Championship action.

The home men look well served for a playoff position currently 7 points clear of the Monarchs albeit only 1 place above in 5th.

The Bears have made their home shale somewhat of a fortress this season with only Poole taking anything away from the North East so far and with their regular 1-7 in place (well allowing for Luke Harrison being a permanent guest for Jake Mulford) they will be hoping to extend that advantage.

The bulk of their scoring will be expected to come from heat leader trio of Charles Wright, Danny King and Erik Riss.

Wright in particular having probably his best year since he was crowned British Champion in 2019 while King looks to be hitting form at the right time and former Monarchs Riss enjoying his best spell since returning from a mystery illness.

Elsewhere British u21 champ Connor Bailey and Danyon Hume provide the second-string back-up with Jason Edwards the senior reserve.

The major news for the Stellar Monarchs is the return to action of Paco Castagna. The Italian coming through a couple of practice sessions unscathed and raring to go.

Any hope that the return of Paco would see a full 1-7 in place were sadly denied with the news that Kye Thomson misses out through illness rider replacement in operation allows all bar Craig Cook an extra ride, but all our thoughts are with Kye for a speedy recovery.

A lot of eyes will be on Bastian Borke as he makes his first visit the Redcar and if his efforts at Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Berwick are anything to go by the fans are in for a treat on one of the most exciting racetracks in the country.

This being the second meeting of the season between the pair the aggregate bonus point is up for grabs also with the Bears currently holding a 4-point lead having won at Armadale back in May.

Tapes up are at 7.30pm with a live stream available at https://www.redcar-speedway.tv/ updates will also be found on the Monarchs official website.

Redcar Bears: Chares Wright, Danyon Hume, Connor Bailey, Erik Riss, Danny King, Jason Edwards, Luke Harrison

Stellar Monarchs: Craig Cook, Bastian Borke, Kye Thomson R/R, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering, Dayle Wood, Max Clegg