Since the sport of Speedway was revived at the South Tees Motorsport Park in 2006 one visiting side has been a thorn in the flesh of the Redcar Bears - the Kings Lynn Stars. However with a powerful top five for the 2009 campaign this Thursday from 7.30pm should see the grizzly Bears at last take the points as the Norfolk seven race them in Premier League action.

Kings Lynn boast an outstanding new kid on the block in the form of 16-year-old Australian Darcy Ward. The Queenslander raced previously and briefly for the Boston Barracudas in 2008 at Conference League level before being given his opportunity to step up to full-time professional riding and he hasn't looked back. Amazingly he leaps up from reserve within a few months to achieve a nine point average just short of Stars legendary skipper Tomas Topinka. Fans who have watched the sport at the Norfolk Arena for decades feel that there are parallels with Michael Lee who also rode for Boston then moved up to the Kings Lynn side at the same age. By 21 Michael was World Speedway Champion.

As mentioned, the Czech Republic international Tomas Topinka is still top of the pile and in April achieved his 500th appearance for the club having first joined them in season 1993. He has produced some outstanding rides at the Motorpark over the seasons and will test the Bears top riders.

The Stars management have also discovered another instant success with the recent acquisition of 20-year-old Swede Linus Eklof who replaces the injured Christian Henry.

He was a member of the Swedish Under 19 squad who won the European Team Championship in Poland last season and was first spotted by Kings Lynn boss Keith Chapman during the World Under-21 Championship Qualifier at Rye House Speedway.

Other capable but experienced performers in the visiting top five are heat leader Chris Schramm who rode for Ipswich in the Elite League previously and Argentinian Emiliano Sanchez. There are also a lively pair of reserves in the shape of young Australian Kozza Smith who is making a comeback from serious injuries incurred at the beginning of the current campaign and young Dane Jan Graversen whose second full season in British Speedway this is - after being at Mildenhall last year.

So a good match in prospect with the Bears looking solid plus the recent encouraging performances of Benji Compton and Arlo Bugeja at reserve to add to the mix.

REDCAR BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C)
2. Robbie Kessler
3. Carl Stonehewer
4. Ben Wilson
5. Ty Proctor
6. Benji Compton
7. Arlo Bugeja
KINGS LYNN STARS:
1. Tomas Topinka (C)
2. Linus Eklof
3. Chris Schramm
4. Emiliano Sanchez
5. Darcy Ward
6. Kozza Smith
7. Jan Graversen

The fixture is sponsored by L T Motor supplies of Oxbridge, Stockton.

Dates have been confirmed for those away fixtures postponed because of waterlogged tracks on the original staging dates. The second leg of the Knockout Cup first round versus the Newport Wasps will now take place in South Wales on Sunday June 7th at 2.30pm. The Bears take a 14 point lead into that match.

The Premier League match against the Birmingham Brummies will take place in the Midlands on Wednesday June 17th at 7.45pm.

No home date had yet been confirmed at the time of writing for the postponed Premier Trophy match at the Motorpark against the Newcastle Diamonds but for up-to-date club information log onto www.redcarspeedway.co.uk or call the club hotline on 09068 664665(calls charged at 60p per minute)