The Redcar Bears take on the Sheffield Tigers this Friday evening at the South Tees Motorsport Park, off South Bank Road Middlesbrough, in what is described as a 'Northern Grudge Challenge' with tapes up at 7.45pm.

The Tigers have beaten the Bears twice at the Motorpark this season in the Premier Trophy and the Premier League with the Bears having been successful at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium in season 2009.

However, on the back of the Bears winning the Tweed-Tees Trophy over two legs against Berwick there is a lot of confidence in the camp.

Commented team manager Jitendra Duffill: "If only we had started the season the way we are finishing it. We were delighted to win some silverware last week and we have been stung by losing to Sheffield in April and May so it is certainly time for revenge."

As Sheffield are also a regular Thursday track the Bears management switched to a change of racenight when the challenge was issued and there is a slightly later start to proceedings to accomodate the traffic patterns.

The Tigers will have an interesting number one in the shape of Josh Auty who joined the Redcar Bears as a 16-year-old reserve in 2007 and spent two years at the Motorpark where he proved popular for his determination on track. He switched to the Tigers in 2009 when his mentor Eric Boocock became the Yorkshire club's team manager. Following racing in Australia this past close season and outings with Elite League Coventry Josh's career has been upward and onward in 2010 hence his elevation to top of the Sheffield averages. As such he usurps the reigning Premier League Riders Champion Ricky Ashworth but this is a sign of a strong top end for the visitors with Richard Hall providing lively support as a former winner of the South Tees Silver Helmet. Meanwhile another former Bear Arlo Bugeja will guest at reserve for the Tigers.

The Bears will be without James Grieves who injured his left wrist in a second ride fall last Thursday against Berwick with Emiliano Sanchez still absent with a hand injury and Charles Wright unlikely to ride again this season after his serious groin cut in late August.

So ex-Redcar Cub Aaron Summers will again make a guest appearance as will ex-Bear Chris Kerr. The rider replacement rule will operate for both sides with it covering the absence of Emiliano Sanchez in the Bears line-up and Josef Franc in the Tigers set-up.

REDCAR BEARS: From - Joe Haines, Gary Havelock (C), Chris Kerr, Aaron Summers, Tomas Suchanek, Guest for Peter Juul(away racing in Denmark), Rider replacement for Emiliano Sanchez
SHEFFIELD TIGERS: From - Ricky Ashworth, Josh Auty, Arlo Bugeja, Richard Hall, Simon Lambert, Hugh Skidmore, Rider replacement for Josef Franc.

The following Thursday September 23rd there will be a touring team from Scandinavia at the Motorpark and a reduction in admission prices for the event. Then for the star-studded South Tees Silver Helmet on Thursday September 30th there will be a small increase in admission prices although child admission will be held at the same level. The Silver Helmet is the sport's oldest individual event in the UK having been first staged at the former Cleveland Park Stadium in 1928. In addition to the speedway racing there will be an interval attraction in the form of HOT BOYZ LIVE and all in aid of the North Tees Haematology Unit as there will be a raffle with sporting prizes.

Bears fans can also now vote for their choice of 'Bear of the Year' via www.gazettelive.co.uk/bearspoll The award will be made at the end-of-season social at the Marton Hotel and Country Club on the evening of Saturday November 6th. Tickets for the event which includes a full buffet and music by Brian Dales are available at £16 each from the Speedway Office on racenights.

Full club details can be found on www.redcarbears.com with previews and scores also on the club hotline 09068 555 801(calls charged at 60p per minute).