Speedway's oldest surviving individual race meeting - the Silver Helmet - which was first staged at the former Cleveland Park, Middlesbrough in 1928 is the attraction at the newly created South Tees Motorsport Park this Thursday evening from 7.30pm.

Many older supporters will recall the halycon days of the post-1968 Second Division when the Silver Helmet attracted the cream of the crop. It wasn't until 1971 that a home rider took the Helmet with Bruce Forrester outstanding. in 1978 current Redcar Bears' team manager Brian Havelock won it as a Workington rider before Steve Wilcock went on to record four home victories in 1979/80/81/85. The last home rider to win it was Daz Sumner in a very competitive field during the 1989 season.

In this new era the Bears' management have booked a number of Elite League riders with international experience plus three emerging Scandinavian talents never seen on a Premier League before. These mixed with a number of handy Premier League visitors and the Bears themselves.

They will meet in the conventional former World Championship formula of 16 riders meeting each other once in five starts over 20 heats. Former World Speedway Champion and Redcar Bears skipper Gary Havelock has been drawn at number one in the riding order but he and his fellow Bears Chris Kerr, Daniel Giffard, Jack Hargreaves, and Kevin Little will have to use every inch of home track advantage against the likes of Wolverhampton Wolves heat leader and Swedish international Freddie Lindgren , GB international and winner of four league medals in his career: David Howe - who like flamboyant Polish star Adam Skornicki has been riding with the Oxford Cheetahs this season. Making up the Elite League quartet is Richard Hall of the Peterborough Panthers whose performance was key in the recent play-off victory for his club.

The new gold nuggets on display are teenagers Ricky Kling of Luxo Stars and Sweden, Claus Vissing of Holsted and Denmark and his compatriot Kenneth Hansen who rides for Slangerup.

The Premier League visitors are Lee Smethills (Rye House), James Wright (Workington), Christian Henry (Newcastle) and Christian's team-mate George Stancl who was on fine-form for the Diamonds in last Thursday's match at the Motorpark.

A new South Tees Silver Helmet has been donated by Julie Lewis and Rostrum Trophies with the lucky winner receiving the award from the lovely Niomi Garcia of the Angels Gentleman's club.

After the presentation there will be a fabulous Firework Finale.

Please note that prices of admission for this event will be: Adults £12, Concessions £8, Children under 16 £2 with matchday programme at £2.

The speedway season is scheduled to finish at the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday October 26th with a Conference Shield fixture featuring the Cleveland Bays versus the Buxton Hitmen.