Heeps steals the show

We were well beaten 53-37 at Redcar tonight on a very pleasant sunny evening, with a well prepared track producing some exciting racing - none more so than heat 15.

John Campbell said afterwards "It was a very disappointing performance, a point should have been within our reach. Cameron Heeps was outstanding, Victor Palovaara and Joel Andersson had their moments but overall we didn't do enough to deserve anything."

Heeps certainly had one of his best meetings for us, 15 points gained in the most thrilling style and finishing off the match by winning the most exciting three way tussle you are ever likely to see against Stewart and Wright.

Cam passed Charles Wright early on but had to take care as the Bears' no. 1 came back at him throughout the heat. Meanwhile he hunted down Jordan Stewart and swept round him on the last corner. He also won heat 9 from the back and had a great tussle with Wright and Palm Toft in heat 13.

After heat 15 the three main protagonists spent some time chattering excitedly about how much they enjoyed the heat,

In our quest for at least a point we made a good start as Victor started as he had finished last night with a fast win, with Ricky in third. However that was as good as it got.

Victor faded a bit but added a few more points, and Joel was also involved in some of the better heats. He won heat 14 and earned his place in the final heat.

Ricky Wells is normally a Redcar specialist but he spent most of the night chasing and trying to overcome poor starts.

We held back our tac sub move till heat 9 in which Wells added a third to Heeps' victory.

It looked odds on that our reserves Willie Lawson and Danny Phillips would fail to beat an opponent as they trailed a long way behind most of the time. Then suddenly, William got ahead of Jack Smith and seemed certain to get a point in heat 12. He was in third for 3.5 laps but then, in a ghastly reminder of last September at Workington, suffered a puncture on the final turn. Quite astonishing.

Redcar well deserved their win with points throughout the side, 10 race winners to our 5 and an 11-1 advantage at reserve.

A word for the Redcar promotion. What a great setup they have, centre green immaculate, track in great condition and everything running like clockwork. A super place to watch Speedway.

Busy Weekend Continues

The Staggs Bar Monarchs are back in action on Saturday as we head for Teeside to take on the Redcar Bears this being the reverse Championship fixture after the Monarchs 49-41 victory at Armadale.

That victory did not come without a cost though with Josh Pickering having to withdraw from the meeting due to the shoulder injury that saw him miss the last month rider replacement will operate with all except Ricky allowed a ride.

Elsewhere Danny Phillips steps in for Luke who needs more time to get over the effects of his recent concussion.

The rest of the team is as expected and all have excellent records around the Media Prime Arena track. The Monarchs of course tinker to a huge victory there last year with Ricky racing to a maximum, Joel collecting 12 and Victor paid 11, repeats of these performances would be much appreciated tonight. Redcar also holds no fears for Cameron who describes the track there as 'awesome' and one of his favourites so that can only bode well also.

The Bears are a different proposition around their home track though and have a solid record there so far this year with only league leading Leicester having taken there.

The Beats will like up the same as they did at Armadale with Charles Wright and Michael Palm Toft leading the way. Backup from the ever improving Tom Bacon and Jordy Stewart is guaranteed while Ulrich Ostergaard is always capable of a big score around his home patch.

So a big match for both teams as the Bears open their home league campaign looking to avenge their defeat at Armadale while the Monarchs look for their first away points of the season all of which will prove vital should the playoffs be reached.

For those not in attendance live updates will be available on the Monarchs official website with tapesup at 19.30