Following an after-meeting spin at Mildenhall's West Row Stadium on Sunday afternoon ex-Redcar Bear Robbie Kessler has declared himself fit to ride in the first round, first leg clash between the Redcar 'TLS' Bears and the Mildenhall Fen Tigers at the South Tees Motorsport Park this Thursday evening at 7.30pm.

Robbie was snapped up by the Redcar management during an injury crisis in the 2007 season and earned a high level of popularity amongst Bears fans for stepping up to the plate from day one and providing consistently good points returns.

Many Bears fans were disappointed that the sport's ruling on maximum average total for a team prevented his retention when the injured Bears eventually returned.

Robbie suffered neck injuries on his debut for the Suffolk side at Peterborough in an inter-league challenge in early March. The Fen Tigers have struggled in his absence and are looking forward to his spearheading the East Anglian's cup challenge alongside ex-Grand Prix racer and seven-times Finnish Speedway Champion Kaj Laukkanen.

The Finnish Flyer has extensive Elite League as well as international experience and will be one of the top riders in the Premier League this season. Mildenhall also track one of Denmark's finest young prospects in the shape of 21-year-old Jan Graversen who has already top-scored for his new side while 17-year-old Jari Makinen one of the world's most sought after youngsters signed for Mildenhall club only last week as they attempt to turn their campaign around.

The Fen Tigers are managed by Laurence Rogers, younger brother of the Bears Director of Operations Gareth Rogers, so their is family pride at stake too in the fixture.

For the Bears Team Manager Brian Havelock there will be some checking on the general welfare of his troops. Both Josh Auty and James Grieves took no further part in the away Premier League victory at Newport on Sunday afternoon after their heat eleven collision. Josh suffered concussion and James bruised ribs.

Daniel Giffard was also absent with abdominal problems and was due a hospital scan on Monday afternoon. Chris Kerr has already returned to California after breaking his leg in two places recently.

The Bears finished the match at Newport with four riders - three of whom had never ridden at the South Wales circuit before - which made their victory all the more meritorious.

REDCAR 'TLS' BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C)
2. Rider replacement for Chris Kerr
3. James Grieves
4. Josh Auty
5. Ty Proctor
6. Arlo Bugeja
7. Daniel Giffard
MILDENHALL FEN TIGERS:
1. Jan Graversen
2. Jari Makinen
3. Kaj Laukkanen (C)
4. Rider replacement for Casper Wortmann
5. Robbie Kessler
6. Ben Taylor
7. James Cockle

Gary Havelock will take part in a celebrity basketball match on behalf of the Whizz Kidz charity at the Eston Sports Academy, Normanby Road, South Bank, Middlesbrough on Sunday May 4th at 4pm. The local schools basketball finals precede from 11am Fuller details on www.game-time.co.uk Bob Pope of Teesside Karting has organised a Chris Kerr Benefit Race meeting at the South Tees Motorsport Karting Circuit on Wednesday May 7th. 20 places at £50 a head available with all profits to the Bears rider. Fuller details on 01642 231117.

6:15pm Monday 21st April 2008

Print   Email this   Comment