The Redcar Bears will operate the rider replacement rule for Maks Gregoric, who fractured a femur in a track crash at Workington Speedway on Saturday night, when they face the Rye House Rockets in Premier League action at the South Tees Motorsport Park off South Bank Road, Middlesbrough on Thursday evening with tapes up at 7.30pm.

As a result of Gregoric's absence Tomas Suchanek will move to number three in the riding order with the Czech Republic international having been on good form in the previous two home matches including his part in a last heat decider against the Glasgow Tigers last Thursday when he and team partner Gary Havelock came through from behind to claim a 5-1 heat win and secure a last gasp draw.

Ben Wilson is also back in the ranks after his horror smash at Berwick Speedway on May 1st when the young Yorkshireman went straight through the fence at the Borders circuit. The Bears missed him against Glasgow and Workington and his points contribution will be vital against the visitors from Hertfordshire who are a very solid team of performers.

Commented home promoter Brian Havelock: 'It has not been a easy time on the injury front. Maks had a successful operation on Sunday but is likely to miss the rest of the season plus we can only operate the rider replacement facility for a limited period. So we are now seeking to sign a new rider and some names are already under consideration. At least Jan Graversen and Ben Wilson are back in the fold after their recent crashes and that is good news.'

The Rockets have an interesting blend of youth and experience with some of the less esablished riders such as Linus Sundstrom and Kyle Hughes on particularly good form this season. Long serving skipper Chris Neath and veteran Stefan Ekberg form a strong partnership for the Rockets while Jordan Frampton has enjoyed a good couple of weeks including an outstanding performance in the semi-finals of the British Championship at Sheffield Speedway. There will also be a lot of interest in how Australian newcomer Kurt Shields performs. Kurt was originally recommended to Redcar by their former star Ty Proctor and he and Proctor rode together in a Pairs event at the Motorpark last Summer. It was presumed that Kurt was joining the Bears for the 2010 season but he decided after all that he wanted to be based down South near to his cousin Adam Shields of the Lakeside Hammers in the Elite League.

REDCAR 'SIMPSON RACING UK/R.I.S.' BEARS:

1. Gary Havelock (C)
2. Rider replacement for Maks Gregoric
3. Tomas Suchanek
4. Emiliano Sanchez
5. Ben Wilson
6. Stuart Swales
7. Jan Graversen
RYE HOUSE ROCKETS:
1. Chris Neath (C)
2. Stefan Ekberg
3. Jordan Frampton
4. Luke Bowen
5. Linus Sundstrom
6. Kurt Shields
7. Kyle Hughes

Redcar Speedway are pleased to announce that Barry Briggs MBE the four-times World Speedway Champion will be at the Motorpark on Thursday June 3rd as part of his national motorcycle tour to collect money on behalf of twelve paralysed ex-speedway riders.

Fuller details of the tour and the launch at Wembley Stadium on www.briggo.net Redcar club details can be found on www.redcarbears.com with further previews, reports and scores on the club hotline 09068 555 801(calls charged at 60p per minute).