The Redcar Bears entertain a revamped and revived Stoke Potters side in Premier League action at the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday evening at 7.30pm.

For a club which traditionally did not have a high turnover of riders the Stoke management decided on a revamp for the beginning of the 2007 season. Following a bad run of results plus the serious injury to Gary Stead last month they have rung the changes again.

20-year-old Dane Claus Vissing has joined the Potters on a permanent basis having made his Premier League debut as an international visitor to the South Tees Silver Helmet at the Motorpark last October. He has made an immediate impact with several double figure top scores at home and away.

The Midlands side also snapped up former Premier League Riders' Champion Glenn Cunningham and brought 22-year-old Lee Complin back into the speedway fold after a five-year absence from the sport. Lee has kept sharp and active though short-track and grasstrack racing.

So the only survivor of the corresponding fixture last season is reserve Barrie Evans who is joined in that position by 2006 Bears' favourite Jack Hargreaves.

There is no doubt Stoke see 18-year-old Hargreaves as a potential 'secret weapon' but with the hometeam getting back to full strength and fitness - young Jack will not have matters on track his own way. Some fascinating clashes lie ahead.

The Bears cause was boosted by the return of Gary Havelock last Thursday. Although not fully recovered from his rib injuries the club captain decided to get race sharp as soon as was physically possible and his initial race victories were very encouraging.

Absent on this occasion will be 16-year-old reserve Josh Auty as he is now, understandably, concentrating on his GCSE examinations.

Once those priorities are met Bears fans can look forward to see the exciting development of a rider who scored eleven plus three bonus points last Thursday against the most formidable team in the Premier League.

Bears draft in former Newport Wasp Karlis Ezergailis as a guest replacement with the young Australian hungry for opportunities.

Mathieu Tresarrieu continues his return to match fitness from the number two position while stalwart James Grieves looks forward to continuing to maintain a run of points-scoring consistency that signals his move to the Redcar Bears has completely revived his speedway career.

REDCAR BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C)
2. Mathieu Tresarrieu
3. James Grieves
4. Arlo Bujega
5. Chris Kerr
6. Karlis Ezergailis
7. Rusty Hodgson
Team Manager: Brian Havelock
STOKE POTTERS:
1. Glenn Cunningham
2. Ben Barker
3. Claus Vissing
4. Lee Complin
5. Rusty Harrison (C)
6. Barrie Evans
7. Jack Hargreaves
Team Manager- John Adams