Friends to be best of enemies in track clash
REDCAR’S in-form Connor Bailey believes heat two of tonight’s Championship match against Berwick will be partly a ‘mates race’ as he faces friend and new Bandits’ signing Jacob Hook.
The Agilia Bears look to temporarily continue their roller-coaster recent results by rising again to record a morale-boosting victory following a heavy 35-55 loss at Scunthorpe a week ago.
That came just days after the largely unexpected two-legged demolition of Glasgow in the cup which followed on from an equally comprehensive defeat – their biggest home reverse for almost five years – against 2022 champions Poole on May 20.
Bailey has ridden the crest of a wave throughout this spell of unpredictable results, claiming double-figured scores almost everywhere he has ridden.
Yet, by the complexities of the sport’s rules on averages, he has dropped into one of the Bears’ two reserve berths and been replaced by Jason Edwards in the main body of the team.
Returning from a midweek under-24 league racing venture in Poland, Bailey said: “I had a couple of rough opening meetings in the league and Jason had a few good ones so he has climbed up and I have dropped down.
“It is ironic I have come into good form when this has happened but I think it’s good for the team as me being strong at reserve allows me to take extra rides if I’m needed.”
Bailey and other fast rising youngsters, including Edwards and Hook, benefit from experience gained in Poland’s age restricted competition, with Bears’ Glasgow-based 20-year old amassing an encouraging paid nine and eight on recent visits to race for Wroclaw.
“New tracks are fresh challenges for me” added Bailey, who was born and bred in Perth, Western Australia, although, through heritage is available to ride for England.
“We are all acquaintances in speedway but I know Hooky the best as he is about the same age and we have similar backgrounds.
“Off track you get on with most people but once you get in a race it’s different.”
Edwards is another with extra incentive when he comes up against Queenslander Hook as both are team-mates at GKM Grudziadz in Poland.
Manager Gavin Parr is clinging on to a vague hope that out for two months Erik Riss might make a surprise comeback this evening after an extensive and partially successful three-hour test session at Redcar last Sunday.
Former Bears’ favourite Richard Lawson is lined up as a guest should the German, out with a rare brain ailment, decide to wait longer.
Parr said: “Erik looked fantastic back on a bike last Sunday but only he knows how he feels.”
Berwick Bandits’ Jason Hook