Team manager Jitendra Duffill believes Berwick Bandits test will be a decent gauge of what to expect over the next seven months
Tapes go up on Redcar Bears’ new season tonight, and team manager Jitendra Duffill believes it will be a decent gauge of what to expect over the next seven months.
Berwick Bandits visit South Tees Motorsports Park for the first leg of the Tees Tweed Trophy (7.30pm start) as the new-look Ecco Finishing Bears take to the track for the first time.
The concluding leg of the early season challenge takes place at Shielfield Park on Saturday and, with the serious business of Premier League Cup action not starting until Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, Duffill knows it will be largely a case of getting back into the groove.
But he says the Bears’ performance against a strong-looking Bandits side featuring former Redcar favourites Matej Kus and Kevin Doolan, will go some way to suggesting how they’ll do over the coming season.
View gallery Redcar Bears 2014
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“It’s their first time out so some of them will be quite rusty,” said Duffill. “It’s been a few months since our last meeting.
“So, as much as we want to win, it’s as much about blowing the cobwebs away and getting used to being back on a speedway bike.
“But it will be a good test for us and a yardstick for what we can expect this year.”
The return to Teesside of former Czech champion Kus has created a good deal of interest and Duffill expects him to be back with a point to prove.
Kus, who spent three years in the Bears team, was often fast and spectacular and his all-action style was a hit with fans.
But despite wearing the No 1 racejacket for a spell, last year was a disappointing one for him and he was left out of this year’s side.
“I know he was disapponted not to be back at Redcar this year,” said Duffill, “but he struggled and had a lack of confidence.
“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times over the winter and he seems a lot happier.
“So we wish him well, although that won’t stop us wanting to get one over on him tonight!”
Duffill also believes the visitors could have a sting in the tail in the shape of Steen Jensen, although he’s backing his own Danish reserve, Jan Greaversen, to make an impression.
“Jensen has been going well on the contintent and could be a big threat if he repeats his Danish form over here,” he said. He was one of our transfer targets over the winter.
“But Jan comes in on a high average for reserve and I’m hoping he can score well for us.”
Tonight’s match sees the Bears wear their new matching kevlar race suits in competitive action for the first time.
“The team really look the part,” said Duffill. “They are going to turn some heads.”
Castleford Castles take on the Berwick Border Raiders in a second half Northern Junior League KO Cup match.
BEARS: Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen, Luke Crang, Richard Hall, Richard Lawson
BANDITS: Claus Vissing, David Bellego, Kevin Doolan, Liam Carr, Matej Kus, Matthew Wethers, Steen Jensen.
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