The Newcastle Diamonds are the visitors to the South Tees Motorsport Park the home of the Redcar Bears on Thursday evening in Premier Trophy action with tapes up at 7.30pm.

"We love taking on the Geordies whatever the fixture at anytime and anywhere' exclaimed Teessider boss Brian Havelock who, along with his son and Bears skipper Gary, hails from Yarm. "There was a time when the Diamonds ruled the roost not just in the North East region but in the whole division but since the Bears were re-born in 2006 we have done very well against our deadliest rivals in the majority of fixtures. However, we are not complacent so Gary and I will be reminding the lads of their responsibility to our fans to keep up the momemtum of success."

The Newcastle management have made changes to their line-up in recent weeks with the acquisition of 19-year-old Rene Bach on loan from Elite League club the Peterborough Panthers. Rene from Rodekro in Denmark has made an immediate impact in the scoring stakes alongside his compatriot Kenni Larsen. Larsen is back with the Diamonds after a handful of matches in 2008 and is already outscoring his original seven point assessed average. Making up an effective heat leader trio is club captain Jason King. The 24-year-old is in his second successive season on Tyneside having had several clubs beforehand but happily domiciled and settled in Newcastle and showing the benefits of that stability.

In support are two experienced riders Derek Sneddon and Trent Leverington. Scot Sneddon joined the Diamonds during the winter having spent the previous three seasons at Edinburgh where he helped the Monarchs to win the Premier League Championship in 2008 and established himself in their top three. Aussie Leverington also had a change of track during the close season after many years at Glasgow. He is a solid middle-order rider with a reputation as a feisty racer especially at the Motorpark.

At first reserve is Adam McKinna who was brought into the line-up at the end of May to replace the struggling Casper Wortman. Adam is a former Redcar Cub so knows the Motorpark's circuit well. McKinna is accompanied by Craig Branney who has returned after a season out of the sport with a badly broken leg to post some very encouraging tallies for the visitors.

For the Bears: Stuart Swales does get to make his delayed debut while Ty Proctor and Gary Havelock swap team positions but still combine their talents for the key thirteenth heat in the race formula.

REDCAR 'NEBT/SIMPSON RACING UK' BEARS:
1. Ty Proctor
2. Robbie Kessler
3. Ben Wilson
4. Carl Stonehewer
5. Gary Havelock (C)
6. Stuart Swales
7. Arlo Bugeja
NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS:
1. Kenni Larsen
2. Derek Sneddon
3. Jason King (C)
4. Trent Leverington
5. Rene Bach
6. Adam McKinna
7. Craig Branney

The meeting is sponsored by Florcraft of Thornaby who include industrial flooring in their services.

Fuller club details can be found on www.redcarspeedway.co.uk with updated previews and results also on the club hotline 09068 664 665(calls charged at 60p per minute).