Redcar Bears will bring down the curtain on their sixth season of racing at the South Tees Motorsport Park this week with boss Brian Havelock satisfied that progress is being made.

The Bears face the Somerset Rebels in their final Premier League fixture on Thursday, with tapes up from 7.30pm.

Last season, Redcar finished bottom of the league, but they go into this week's closing clash with four teams below them in the table, one of which is local rivals Newcastle Diamonds.

Havelock said: "This year we have enjoyed the opening of a new grandstand at the speedway arena while the club has also moved forward with respect to building up its asset base of riders.

"We recruited Matej Kus and he has proved an exciting points scorer for the Bears. Aaron Summers, Peter Juul and Robert Branford were purchased in the transfer market after showing what they were capable of in previous seasons.

"All will be determined to put on a good show on Thursday to send our fans into the close season with an anticipation of even better times ahead."