Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH 43–47 LEICESTER

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MEETING SPONSOR

Cycas Hospitality – They’re the leading, pan-European hospitality management company, operating hotels and serviced apartments for their partners in key city locations, travel hubs and leisure destinations. With a portfolio of more than 50 branded and independent properties across twelve European countries and a core purpose to develop and inspire Europe’s best hospitality team, they partner with all the major global brands as well as curating their own independently-branded hotels.

SCORECARD

IPSWICH 43: Jason Doyle R/R, Danny King © 10+1, Adam Ellis 9+1, Tom Brennan 6, Emil Sayfutdinov 12+1, Danyon Hume (G) 2+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER 47: Max Fricke © 8+2, Luke Becker 12+1, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Kyle Howarth 7, Sam Masters 6+1, Drew Kemp 9, Joe Thompson (RS) 0. Team Manager: Jen Crossland

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield817
Ipswich917
Belle Vue815
Leicester811
Oxford106
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were beaten by Leicester on Thursday night at Foxhall in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The home team were without the key injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with rider replacement being used at number one and Danyon Hume guesting at number six. Ipswich raced into a six-point lead early on but were pegged back by heat seven and the Lions edged ahead in heat nine. Another 2-4 in heat 13 gave Leicester a four-point lead and they held on for the away victory as Ipswich took the aggregate bonus point. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 12+1.

Visiting number two Luke Becker won a shared heat one and heat two was stopped with the Lions in a good position as Joe Thompson fell on the third bend and was excluded. Jordan Jenkins took victory in the re-run as Ipswich got the first heat advantage of the night. The hosts extended their lead in heat three as Tom Brennan picked up three points and Adam Ellis raced past both Lions in style to join him for the maximum. Sayfutdinov won heat four in a 3-3 leaving the Witches 15-9 up.

The Lions responded in heat five with a 1-5 of their own and it was a 3-3 in heat six won by Sam Masters. Heat seven was stopped with the away side at the front as Hume fell at the back and was excluded. Ryan Douglas won the re-run to level the score and the Leicester race winners kept on coming with Becker taking the chequered flag in a shared heat eight, making it 24-24.

The visitors went ahead in heat nine as Drew Kemp beat Ellis and Masters finished third. Danny King stopped the run of away race winners in heat 10 but with Brennan at the back it was a 3-3. Sayfutdinov followed suit in a shared heat 11 and the run of 3-3s continued in heat 12 with Ellis first across the line meaning Leicester held a 35-37 lead going into the business end of the meeting.

Max Fricke won heat 13 ahead of King and with Masters third it edged his side closer to an away win. The home duo of Brennan and Hume made the gate in heat 14 but Kyle Howarth got the better of both Witches to win the race for a 3-3. Sayfutdinov won the final race of the night but with King at the back it meant the Witches fell to their first defeat of the season at Foxhall although they did pick up the aggregate bonus point.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat to Leicester…

“I know we were weakened but it was our worst home performance of the season against a very good team who rode well. They were better than us and deserved the victory, but we have got to look ahead at what is to come and write it off because we are still in a great position in the league, and we have a massive meeting in the cup semi-final up next.

“It doesn’t feel like a positive right now, but we picked up the aggregate bonus point. I know there was a lot of talk at the start of the season of us going unbeaten all season but that was never realistic in our heads, but I do feel if we could go the whole season not being beaten on aggregate that would be amazing, and it is something I would like to achieve. So, the aggregate bonus point tonight is good and now we have a break before the cup to know how the injuries are progressing before then.

“Dan went and saw someone today and they are not going to operate which is probably a good thing and he has started treatment to speed up his recovery. Jason is home now and is recovering and we know both want to be back as quickly as possible and they are doing everything they can to do so.

“It is very difficult to replace them, they are arguably the hardest two to replace. When you have a rider at reserve riding like a heat leader that is a massive miss to us, but we have a break now and then the cup that we need to get through and then another break and by the time the league resumes for us hopefully we will have one of them or both back.”

CYCAS HOSPITALITY RIDER OF THE NIGHT

King picked up the award after scoring 10+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich add one point to their total having won the aggregate bonus point after their eight-point win at Leicester earlier in the year but drop to second in the table on points difference. The Lions take two points away from Suffolk and remain fourth.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to take on the Stars on Monday 2nd June in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg tie. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY GUIDE | LEICESTER (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 22nd May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSOR

Cycas Hospitality – They’re the leading, pan-European hospitality management company, operating hotels and serviced apartments for their partners in key city locations, travel hubs and leisure destinations. With a portfolio of more than 50 branded and independent properties across twelve European countries and a core purpose to develop and inspire Europe’s best hospitality team, they partner with all the major global brands as well as curating their own independently-branded hotels.

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.17 2. Danny King © 6.15 3. Adam Ellis 5.68 4. Tom Brennan 6.60 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.93 6. Danyon Hume (G) 4.66 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke © 8.91 2. Luke Becker 7.12 3. Ryan Douglas 6.92 4. Kyle Howarth 5.40 5. Sam Masters 7.33 6. Drew Kemp 3.86 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich816
Belle Vue815
Sheffield714
Leicester79
Oxford95
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase in advance here and on the gate and are priced at £24 for adults and £22 for concessions (65+) & students (21 & under). Tickets for children aged 6-16 are £1 whilst children 5 & under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3.50 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches return to Foxhall on Thursday as they take on the Leicester Lions in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich have been on the road over the last week, losing narrowly at Sheffield last Thursday before returning to winning ways at Birmingham on Monday night despite their injury troubles.  

The home team remain without the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson. Doyle is recovering from a dislocated hip after a crash in the Warsaw Grand Prix whilst Thompson is out with a broken scaphoid that he picked up in a crash at the British U21 Final. Rider replacement is in operation at number one whilst former Witch Danyon Hume guests at number six. Team manager Ritchie Hawkins has reverted back to the riding order that has been used for the majority of the season.

The Suffolk side will be looking to add an aggregate bonus point to their tally, having won 49-41 at Leicester earlier in the season but know it will need another team performance to cover the missing Doyle and Thompson against strong opposition.

MANAGER’S NOTES

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“Great to be back at home and it will be a really tough test against a solid team and with us missing Jason and Dan, they will fancy their chances. We covered their absences really well on Monday and are we are going to need another massive team effort on Thursday to keep our home run going. We have done very well at home and the boys are full of confidence.

“It is very difficult to bring anyone in for Jason who we feel can do a good job and with the form and ability the other boys have got everywhere at the moment, but even more so at home, we feel they are strong enough to cover Jason on Thursday.

“Danyon knows the club well and is very good at Ipswich and also rode against us here for Birmingham and we love getting him in the team if we can. He was unfortunate to lose his place with us a few seasons ago, but he loves being part of the team and we like to keep that continuity. We have a great relationship with Danyon at he is definitely the best option to go round Foxhall tonight.

“We want to have Jason and Dan back of course. After tonight we have a break and then the focus is on the Knockout Cup which is extremely important and then we have another week off. That should give the boys time to know when they will be back, so as time goes on, we will keep an eye on things and do whatever we can do for the best of the team.

“It is the toughest meeting we could have asked for at this time unfortunately. They go very well at Foxhall and will love coming here this year. They will feel it is the best opportunity to win here and will be coming to take the points, so we need to keep performing as a unit if we want to win.”

LEICESTER LIONS

Last year’s runners-up have started the season reasonably well and sit fourth in the division. The visitors have already got two wins on the road to their name at Birmingham and Oxford but have lost twice on their travels, narrowly at King’s Lynn and by 14 points at Belle Vue on Monday. With Ipswich missing two key riders, the Lions will sense this is an opportunity to pick up an away victory at a place they have had some success at in recent seasons.

Leicester have made a change since that defeat at home to Ipswich last month, with Dan Gilkes replacing Sam Hagon. However, Gilkes has since picked up an injury and has been replaced temporarily by Joe Thompson.

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

Ipswich last welcomed Leicester to Foxhall in September of 2024 for the first leg of the play-off semi-final. The Suffolk side entered the play-offs without the likes of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins due to injury with Jan Kvěch, Tom Brennan and Ashton Boughen guesting for the missing home trio. Second-placed Leicester came into the play-offs without Ryan Douglas and Craig Cook with Lewi Kerr in for Cook and rider replacement in operation for Douglas.

Despite the injury issues and having gone eight without a win prior to the fixture it was Ipswich who started strongly as they raced to a 16-point lead after 10 races. The Lions clawed back eight points in the second half of the meeting and were relieved to leave Suffolk just eight points behind having been second best for the majority of the night. Kvěch top scored with 10+1.

RACEDAY REPORT | BIRMINGHAM 41-49 IPSWICH

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Image courtesy of Phil McGlynn

SCORECARD

BIRMINGHAM 41: Tobiasz Musielak © 16, Paco Castagna 7, Michael Jepsen Jensen R/R, Keynan Rew 6+1, Matej Zagar 6+1, Jonas Jeppesen 2, Jason Edwards (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH 49: Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis 9, Emil Sayfutdinov 9+2, Danny King © 8, Tom Brennan 10+2, Danyon Hume (G) 2+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 11+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Durno

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich816
Belle Vue815
Sheffield714
Leicester79
Oxford95
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches returned to winning ways at Birmingham on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The visitors arrived at Perry Barr without the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with rider replacement in operation at number one and Danyon Hume guesting at number six. The hosts were using rider replacement at number three for Michael Jepsen Jensen who quit the club over the weekend. Despite the injuries and suffering a number of mechanical issues whilst in scoring positions in the first half of the meeting, the Witches held an eight-point lead after nine races. The Brummies fought back with the help of a tactical substitute to narrow that lead to just two points, but it wasn’t enough as the Suffolk side secured the win with a race to spare. Jordan Jenkins top scored with 11+1.

Heat one didn’t get past the first turn as Tobiasz Musielak was the victim of some first bend bunching. Tom Brennan won the re-run with Adam Ellis third for a heat advantage as Musielak retired at the back. That was followed by a maximum in heat two thanks to Jenkins and Hume. Emil Sayfutdinov led heat three but retired with machinery problems allowing Keynan Rew to win in a 4-2. There were more mechanical gremlins for Ipswich in heat four as Brennan retired on the opening lap which resulted in another heat advantage to Birmingham making it 11-13 to Ipswich overall.

Heat five eventually got going at the third time of asking and it was worth the wait for the Witches as Ellis and Sayfutdinov raced to a maximum. The home team registered a 4-2 in heat six as Musielak won but Brennan worked hard to get the better of Paco Castagna for second and Hume retired. Danny King and Sayfutdinov then teamed up for a 1-5 in heat seven with Jonas Jeppesen the latest rider to not complete the race. Ellis and Jenkins looked set for another maximum in heat eight but yet again bike issues intervened with Ellis dropping out of the race, meaning it ended in a 3-3 as Jenkins fended off the Castagna charge, making it 20-28 overall.

Brennan took victory in a shared heat nine and the home team pulled two points back in heat 10 with a 4-2. Birmingham team manager Chris Adams put Musielak out as a tactical substitute in heat 11 and it had the desired effect as he and Matej Zagar hit a 5-1, putting them just two points behind. Sayfutdinov couldn’t be caught in heat 12 as Jenkins finished third for a Witches 2-4 giving the away team a 34-38 lead.

The points were shared in heat 13 and Ipswich secured the victory in heat 14 with a 1-5 awarded after Rew crashed out late on in the race whilst chasing King at the front as Jenkins was promoted into second. The final race of the night ended in a 3-3 as the travelling supporters celebrated a fourth away win of the season in the league.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win at Birmingham…

“I thought it was a great performance, and we bounced back from Thursday despite being two riders down. We needed a full team performance to cover R/R and Dan’s absence, and we had a performance from six riders that all had a win or a paid win. It was solid throughout and I’m really happy with that. We had a few mechanical gremlins that made life hard for us but on reflection it was good to have them tonight and get them out the way all in one go seeing as we still got the win! It certainly made it too close for comfort and is something we can’t afford to be happening later on in the season.

“Every rider had different problems; things that can happen and rarely happen and they all happened in one go. It is good to get them out of the way and I’m delighted with the boys, and we are all leaving really happy.

“Jordan had another excellent night here and it was great to see him bounce back from a couple of tough meetings. He really stepped up to the plate and top scored in an away win so you can’t ask for more than that. Overall, we covered R/R well too.

“We will know more about Jason and Dan as the week progresses regarding a timescale of how long they will be out for. We are at the stage that we know they are injured we just need to know the extent of the damage and recovery times and we should know that this week.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted for reserve Jenkins who top scored with 11+1 and stepped up in the absence of Thompson.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up another two points and remain top of the table whilst Birmingham stay bottom and are yet to pick up any points in 2025.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 22nd May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY GUIDE | BIRMINGHAM (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to face the Brummies at the Perry Barr Stadium on Monday 19th May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Tobiasz Musielak © 7.79 2. Paco Castagna 4.74 3. R/R for Michael Jepsen Jensen 7.33 4. Keynan Rew 5.81 5. Matej Zagar 7.20 6. Jonas Jeppesen 4.50 7. Jason Edwards (RS). Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.17 2. Adam Ellis 5.68 3. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.93 4. Danny King © 6.15 Tom Brennan 6.60 6. Danyon Hume (G) 4.66 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Durno

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich714
Belle Vue712
Sheffield611
Leicester69
Oxford95
King’s Lynn74
Birmingham60

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here and on the gate.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches are on their travels again on Monday as they visit Birmingham in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich were in action on Thursday at Sheffield where they were defeated for the first time in 2025 after a last-heat decider went the way of the Tigers. Ritchie Hawkins experimented with a new riding order for that fixture and sticks with it for the trip to Perry Barr.

Rider replacement will be in operation at number one for Jason Doyle who dislocated his hip in a crash at the Warsaw Grand Prix on Saturday. The Australian’s hip was put back in later that evening and he also suffered a slight cut to his face. Doyle will be leaving hospital on Monday and will start intensive physio in Poland immediately.

Further bad news came on Sunday when Dan Thompson suffered a broken scaphoid in a crash at the British Under 21 Final in Glasgow. Former Witch Danyon Hume will guest at number six. We wish Jason and Dan all the best in their recoveries.

The Suffolk side already know what it takes to win at Perry Barr, having raced to a 47-43 victory there last month and unless the pair meet in the play-offs, it will be the last ever visit to Birmingham on Monday with the club announcing it will close at the end of the season.

MANAGER’S NOTES

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“We didn’t perform that well there earlier in the year and they ran us close, so we will need to improve on that performance, but we will go there with great confidence. I still believe on paper they are a good team, Zagar is back which is a massive bonus for them, and I think it will be a tight, tough test.

“I had a chat with the boys afterwards and we are going to stick with the riding order on Monday. It is hard to just chuck them in it for one meeting, so it gives them a bit of consistency. We have a very solid team whatever order they are in, so it shouldn’t make too much difference. They all need to be prepared to ride in any order and that is what they are doing.

“I’m concentrated on us but with the team they have, to not have any points on the board is surprising. They weren’t helped by not having their current line-up for their fixtures against Oxford, but I think if the team they have now clicks, I think they will be a strong team as the season goes on.”

*These quotes were given prior to the injuries to Doyle and Thompson. There will be quotes on both riders in the Raceday Report.

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES

Birmingham have had a torrid start to 2025 and sit bottom of the table with no points to their name after six fixtures. The Brummies have already been beaten three times on home shale in the league, including that defeat to Ipswich just a few weeks ago. The hosts know they need to turn things around quickly in their last ever season before the top four pull away.

The club have made a change since they last faced Ipswich, bringing in Paco Castagna for Antti Vuolas. Matej Zagar returns to the side having now had his visa approved. However, the Brummies were rocked by news on Sunday that Michael Jepsen Jensen has decided to quit racing in the UK and rider replacement will be in operation at number three in his absence.

LAST TIME OUT AT PERRY BARR

The Witches last travelled to Birmingham just a few weeks ago in April and came away with a 47-43 victory. After a tight opening to proceedings the away side managed to open up an eight-point lead after eight heats of action and looked to be on course for a comfortable win. However, the Brummies battled back to level things going into the final three races. Two heat advantages to Ipswich secured the two league points with a race to spare. Dan Thompson top scored with 15 from reserve.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £24, concessions £21, students (17-22 with proof of ID) £11 and children 16 and under go free. Official programmes cost £3.00 and car parking is £3.00. There is a modern three level grandstand extending for the full length of the home straight. On ground level there is a bar and refreshments area plus souvenir sales shop. Closed circuit television monitors show the racing and replays. There are also extensive bar and restaurant and light refreshment facilities.

For more information about the club head to Birmingham’s official website.

RACEDAY REPORT | SHEFFIELD 46-44 IPSWICH

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Image courtesy of Phil McGlynn

SCORECARD

SHEFFIELD 46: Jack Holder 9+1, Anders Rowe 7+3, Josh Pickering © 14, Justin Sedgmen 1+1, Chris Holder 6+1, Lewis Kerr 3, Leon Flint (RS) 6. Team Manager: Simon Stead

IPSWICH 44: Jason Doyle 10+1, Adam Ellis 7+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 8+1, Danny King © 6+1, Tom Brennan 5, Dan Thompson 7+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 1+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Gay

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich714
Belle Vue712
Sheffield611
Leicester69
Oxford95
King’s Lynn74
Birmingham60

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches suffered a 46-44 defeat at Sheffield on Thursday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich went into the fixture with a 100% record in the league whilst the Tigers were looking to preserve their unbeaten home record and there was never more than four points between the two sides throughout the contest. Ipswich held a two-point lead heading into the final race of the night after a heat 14 maximum, but the home team responded in the final heat with a 5-1 to snatch victory. Jason Doyle top scored with 10+1.

Heat one was stopped with Adam Ellis hitting the deck and all four riders called back. Anders Rowe won the re-run but with Jack Holder at the back it was a shared heat to start the night. Lewis Kerr took victory in heat two as Dan Thompson rode well to get the better of Leon Flint for second in a Sheffield 4-2. Heat three resulted in a 3-3 and in heat four the away side got their first race win of the meeting as Thompson took the chequered flag and Tom Brennan relegated Chris Holder to the back for a heat advantage that levelled the score at 12-12.

Josh Pickering couldn’t be caught in heat five, but Ellis managed to get past Justin Sedgmen late on for a crucial point to ensure it ended in a 3-3. The hosts went in front in heat six as the pair of Jack Holder and Rowe worked their way from the back to pass both Witches riders for the 5-1. Chris Holder picked up three points in a shared heat seven and Ellis was a comfortable winner in a heat eight 3-3 which left Sheffield 26-22 ahead.

The away side were looking good to level the score in heat nine with Brennan and Thompson at the front, but Thompson fell on the final turn meaning they were forced to settle for a 3-3. Emil Sayfutdinov got his first win of the evening in a shared heat 10 and Doyle then got his first three points by winning heat 11 as Ellis worked overtime again to pass Kerr for a point to give Ipswich a 2-4. A 3-3 in heat 12 left things finely poised at 37-35 to the Tigers.

Doyle couldn’t be passed in heat 13 but with Brennan at the back it was another 3-3. The Witches went ahead for the first time in the meeting with a maximum in heat 14 courtesy of Danny King and Thompson, but Sheffield responded in heat 15 with a 5-1 of their own to secure victory by the narrowest of margins.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat at Sheffield…

“I thought it was a brilliant performance; it is the happiest I have come away from an away meeting since Belle Vue. I thought the boys were the better team and felt we were, not unfortunate because they were our own mistakes, but we made a couple of mistakes that cost us the win.

“We changed the riding order to experiment, and I don’t think that helped and we may well have won without that but I’m happy with where the boys are at, it is all positive and I am happy with a lot of the performances and that there is a lot more still to come.

“Its about trying different things and preparing for the rest of the year and making sure we are in the best possible position come the end of the season. I don’t think the riding order worked as well as our previous order, but it is good to keep practicing whilst we are in this position and the boys want to stick with it on Monday and I’m happy for them to do that.

“Jordan picked up a slight knock a couple of weeks ago and it has knocked him out of his rhythm, and he struggled in his first couple, but it was a really good ride in his last ride and I’m very happy with how his season has gone overall so far.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted for Doyle as the rider of the night after he top scored with 10+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich remain top after being defeated for the first time this season whilst third-placed Sheffield pick up two points and move three behind the leaders.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to take on the Brummies on Monday 19th May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY GUIDE | SHEFFIELD (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Sheffield to face the Tigers at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday 15th May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 9.09 2. Anders Rowe 5.63 3. Josh Pickering © 7.18 4. Justin Sedgmen 4.79 5. Chris Holder 8.74 6. Lewis Kerr 4.77 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 9.17 2. Adam Ellis 5.68 3. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.93 4. Danny King © 6.15 Tom Brennan 6.60 6. Dan Thompson 4.66 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Gay

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich614
Sheffield59
Belle Vue69
Leicester56
Oxford85
King’s Lynn64
Birmingham60

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches return to action on Thursday at Sheffield in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich remain unbeaten in 2025 and sit top of the table after six wins from six including three victories away from home. That record faces its toughest test at Owlerton when they take on the Tigers who sit in second place with a 100% home record.

Team manager Ritchie Hawkins has changed the riding order for the first time this season moving Adam Ellis to number two to partner Jason Doyle. Emil Sayfutdinov is at three for this fixture with captain Danny King at four. Tom Brennan shifts to number five for the trip to South Yorkshire.

MANAGER’S NOTES

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“It is a really tough test going to Sheffield, but it is great to be back together as a team. Most of the team were at the British Final on Monday but we can’t wait to get on track as a one to seven at the moment with the form we have been in and how good the season is going.

“We have had a lot of big battles with Sheffield in recent years and it looks like it could be similar this season with the way the two teams have started the season. I’m sure it will be a great battle on Thursday, and we got over the hoodoo of not winning there for a long time last season and we know how to win there and what is required. With the form we are in, we have got to attack them and the track. It is not do or die in this meeting, but it will give us a great marker of where we are and I’m sure we are going to be butting heads with them all season and it would be great to get an early one over them.

“I have shuffled things up a bit with the riding order. Everything has worked perfectly so far, and I am more than happy with that riding order and the results we have achieved with it. We are always striving to improve and make sure we are prepared and later on in the season there might be a circumstance out of our hands where we have got to use a different riding order, and we don’t want to go into that cold. We will see how this goes on Thursday and either way we will learn lessons from it.”

SHEFFIELD TIGERS

Sheffield have been regulars in the play-offs since their return to the top-flight in 2021 and they have made a strong start to 2025. The Tigers sit second in the table mainly due to their home form which has seen them win four wins from four with their only other league meeting being a narrow defeat away at Belle Vue.

The hosts lost Tai Woffinden to injury on the eve of the season and were forced into changes bringing in Lewis Kerr and Justin Sedgmen to replace the former world champion and Danyon Hume.

LAST TIME OUT IN SHEFFIELD

The Witches last travelled to Sheffield in September of 2024 the first leg of the Knockout Cup final. With Jaimon Lidsey and Tom Brennan guesting for the injured Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov and Sheffield running rider replacement for Tai Woffinden, the hosts registered a string of 4-2s in the first half of the contest and found themselves 12 points to the good after nine races. Ipswich battled hard in the second half of the meeting but left themselves too much to do in the second leg at Foxhall after a 20-point defeat. 

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £25, concessions (over 65s & students) £23, juniors (aged 12-17) £5 whilst children aged 11 under cost £1. Official programmes cost £4. All the stadium is open except the back straight which remains closed for safety reasons. There is seating in the Panorama Room, which also boasts a restaurant and bar overlooking the track. There is a fast-food bar, and the Panorama Room Restaurant also offers a ‘Speedway Special’ carvery with a choice of meats. The Panorama Room Restaurant has large bar with ideal viewing facilities in addition to the carvery. Reserve your table now by calling Owlerton Stadium on 01142 343074. For travel information head here.

For more information about the club head to Sheffield’s official website.

RACEDAY REPORT | 2025 BRITISH FINAL

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SCORECARD

Dan Bewley 14, Robert Lambert 14, Charles Wright 11, Adam Ellis 10, Chris Harris 10, Anders Rowe 9, Dan Thompson 9, Danny King 8, Craig Cook 7, Leon Flint 6, Tom Brennan 6, Steve Worrall 6, Connor Mountain 5, Jason Edwards 3, Drew Kemp 2, Vinnie Foord 0.

SEMI-FINAL: Harris, Wright, Ellis, Rowe

FINAL: Lambert, Wright, Bewley, Harris

REFEREE: P. Griffin

THE REPORT

Robert Lambert became British champion after Monday’s Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final in Manchester.

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were represented by Adam Ellis, Dan Thompson, Danny King and Tom Brennan and it was Ellis who performed best reaching the semi-final before his night ended. Thompson agonisingly missed out on the semi-final on race wins after being tied with Anders Rowe for the final spot. King finished eighth on eight points whilst Brennan finished eleventh on six points.

Brennan couldn’t get amongst the points in heat one starting from gate four and heat two didn’t reach the first turn as Vinnie Foord flipped his bike from the start and was excluded. Having made the start in the original staging, Thompson made the gate again in the re-run to get his night off to the perfect start. Ellis made a good start from the outside gate in heat three and got into second but was passed by Lambert who then went on to get the better of Steve Worrall on the last lap to win. King wasn’t able to pick up any points in heat four as Rowe held off Dan Bewley to win the race.

Leon Flint won heat five as King took advantage of Thompson going wide to pick up second place with Thompson having to settle for a point. Brennan and Charles Wright exchanged moves for first in heat eight before Wright made it stick to win the race with Ellis adding a point to his tally in third.

Heat 10 was a cracker as Rowe took an early lead, but Ellis blasted past the previously unbeaten rider and Thompson also worked himself into second as Rowe was eventually relegated to the back by Chris Harris. King and Brennan hit the front in heat 12 but Lambert flew past both at the end of the opening lap to win leaving King and Brennan to battle it out for second, a battle which Brennan won.

Ellis led heat 13 but ended up in second after being passed by Bewley at the start of the second lap. King produced a great ride to win heat 14 as he worked the outside line well all race before diving under Harris going into the third turn of the third lap to hit the front and collect three points. Thompson rode a brilliant first lap in heat 15 to get himself into first but soon found himself back in third as Lambert rounded him and Wright came underneath and despite his best efforts he couldn’t get back past Wright, meaning he added a point to his score. Despite his best efforts, Brennan couldn’t find a way past Craig Cook in heat 16 as he finished second again.

Ellis secured his spot in the semi-final by winning heat 19 ahead of King with the skipper missing out on the semi-final. Thompson had no answer for Bewley in heat 20, finishing in second behind the Grand Prix rider whilst Brennan ended his night at the back. It wasn’t quite enough for the impressive Thompson to make the semi-final though after he was tied on nine points with Rowe but with one race win less.

Ellis was looking good for the final after he made the gate in the semi-final but was swallowed up by Harris and Wright going into the second lap and despite pushing hard until the end, he wasn’t able to find a way past Wright to progress to the final.

The final was one of the best races you could wish to see with Lambert, Bewley, Wright and Harris throwing the bike at each other for all four laps. It looked like any rider could win the title throughout the heat, but it was Lambert who crossed the line first to pick up his second title ahead of Wright and Bewley, whose run of victories in the event came to an end. Wright will be the wild card for the British Grand Prix double-header in Manchester on June 13 and 14.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s British Final…

“There were some great performances from our riders but unfortunately, we didn’t get one in the final. Adam came closest and got in front in the semi-final but made a slight mistake and went back to third. He nearly got back into the qualifying spots on the line, but it was a great performance.

“Dan narrowly missed out on the semi-final on countback and carried on his superb form and it was a good meeting for him which he will take positives from in his young career.

“Danny had a tough first ride and very nearly made the points back in the next four rides but just missed out on the semi-final places. Tom fought really hard all night but found himself in the wrong places at the wrong times often and was chasing all meeting like Danny after a tough first ride and maybe they didn’t have the best draw having gate four so early on.”

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Sheffield to take on the Tigers on Thursday 15th May in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY GUIDE: 2025 BRITISH FINAL

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The 2025 Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final takes place at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday 12th May in an individual fixture that starts at 7.30pm, live on TNT Sports and Discovery Plus.

LINE-UP

1. Leon Flint 2. Chris Harris 3. Jason Edwards 4. Tom Brennan 5. Dan Thompson 6. Craig Cook 7. Vinnie Foord 8. Connor Mountain 9. Drew Kemp 10. Robert Lambert 11. Steve Worrall 12. Adam Ellis 13. Danny King 14. Dan Bewley 15. Anders Rowe 16. Charles Wright. Reserves: 17. TBC 18. TBC

REFEREE: P. Griffin

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to buy online and on the gate.

THE PREVIEW

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches are represented at Monday’s Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final in Manchester by Tom Brennan, Dan Thompson, Adam Ellis and Danny King.

The individual event takes place at the National Speedway Stadium with sixteen riders doing battle to become the British champion.

Both King and Ellis have experienced winning the title, King in 2016 and Ellis in 2021. Brennan has come close to top spot, finishing second in 2022 and 2024 and will hoping to go one better in 2025. Thompson qualified for the event after winning the semi-final at Leicester with a five-ride maximum and makes his first appearance in the event since 2020.

The winner of the meeting, or the next best placed rider if Dan Bewley or Robert Lambert win the title, will receive a wild card for the British Grand Prix double-header in Manchester on June 13 and 14.

We wish all four riders the best and hope to welcome another British champion back to Suffolk.

MANAGER’S NOTES

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives his pre-match thoughts…

“It is great to see the Witches having four riders participating in the meeting and all four will be going with lots of ambition to do very well. Danny and Adam are past winners and would love to regain the title this year. Danny has started this season in good form and has shown a massive improvement speed-wise in his equipment than in the past couple of years which you need around Belle Vue. He had a good meeting there earlier in the season and looked the fastest he has been there since the year he was runner-up.

“Adam has started the season steadily, trying lots of new equipment and working very hard on that. He has shown signs he is in for a great season, and he was superb the year he won it so will be looking to replicate that.

“Tom has started brilliantly and has fitted in with the team straight away. He is loving life and has been a runner-up before. At some point in his career, it looks nailed on that he will get on the top step of the podium and I’m sure he would love to do it this year and will have the ambition to do that. He is more than capable.

“Dan comes into the meeting as the maximum man from the semi-final and in many meetings recently! He is in absolutely superb form and has stepped up a level and there is no doubt he is going to cause a stir amongst the bigger names, and it won’t phase him, nothing does! It really wouldn’t surprise me if you saw him make the semi-final on Monday and from there anything can happen. I’m sure all four of them will be looking to be in those championship heats at the end of the night.

THE CONTENDERS

Bewley is looking to make it four wins on the spin after success in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Fellow Grand Prix rider Robert Lambert will be another favourite and will be keen to put things right after failing to reach the semi-final in 2024.

Chris Harris and Charles Wright have both lifted the trophy before and will be looking to add to their titles.

AWAY DAYS

Ticket prices can be found here and official programmes cost £5. For more information about your visit to the National Speedway Stadium, head here.

For more information about the club head to Belle Vue’s official website.

FRED. OLSEN LOGISTICS JOIN AS 2025 CLUB SPONSOR

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Fred. Olsen Logistics have joined as a club sponsor for the 2025 season.

We would like to welcome them on board and thank them for their valuable support as they join Simply Climate Control, KEM Pumps, Edwards Electrical and Ipswich Town Football Club as club sponsors.

Fred. Olsen Logistics – “Backed by our history, to help deliver your future”

Fred. Olsen Logistics is a private company owned by the Olsen family, with origins in international shipping dating back to 1848.

Our highly trained team will look after your consignments from collection all the way through to the safe delivery. Our human approach to shipping and logistics means you will always be able to speak to one of our team and know that your goods are in safe hands.  

Fred. Olsen Logistics offers a complete start to finish operation in freight forwarding and logistics services, our offices based in Ipswich and Felixstowe are perfectly located near to Britain’s largest container port with direct links worldwide as well as fantastic road and rail links across the UK.

RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH 53–37 KING’S LYNN

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MEETING SPONSORS

Tru7 Group – Tru7 Group is a diversified supplier to the construction, demolition and agriculture industries. Their premium fleet has state-of-the-art safety technology, and they make sure you have the right vehicle or operator for the job, saving time, fuel and emissions. With service and sustainability core to their business, their fast-growing portfolio offers van, truck and plant rental and sales, demolition and remediation, earthworks, asbestos removal, concrete and aggregates.

RN Euston – RN Euston Limited has supplied steel framed buildings in East Anglia for over 40 years.  Established by Ray Euston the business has grown steadily over the years and now Ray works in partnership with his son Mark.  The company is based in Suffolk and work all over East Anglia where they have gained a reliable reputation.

SCORECARD

IPSWICH 53: Jason Doyle 12+2, Danny King © 7, Adam Ellis 5+1, Tom Brennan 6, Emil Sayfutdinov 12+1, Dan Thompson 9, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN 37: Chris Harris 3, Ben Cook R/R, Jan Kvěch 8+1, Richard Lawson 9, Niels Kristian Iversen 6+1, Nicolai Klindt © 11, Ashton Boughen (RS) 0. Team Manager: Rob Lyon

REFEREE: C. Gay

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich614
Sheffield59
Belle Vue69
Leicester56
Oxford85
King’s Lynn64
Birmingham60

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches came from behind to win the East Anglian derby against King’s Lynn at Foxhall on Monday afternoon in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The home team went into the fixture at full strength and sitting top of the table with a 100% record whilst the Stars were looking for their first points on the road and were without the injured Ben Cook, with rider replacement in use at number two. Despite that, it was the visitors who would start brightly in the derby in front of a big bank holiday crowd, and they were threatening an upset as they held a six-point lead after seven races. However, that was as good as it got for the Norfolk outfit as Ipswich rattled off eight consecutive heat advantages to win comfortably in the end and preserve their unbeaten start to 2025. Jason Doyle top scored with 12+2.

Jan Kvěch won a shared heat one and another 3-3 followed in heat two as Nicolai Klindt took victory. The visitors provided another race winner in heat three as Kvěch picked up three points again and with Richard Lawson third they edged ahead. Klindt received a warning for moving at the start of heat four and in the re-run, Emil Sayfutdinov got the first Ipswich win of the day in a 3-3 which left the visitors 11-13 in front.

The visitors extended their lead in heat five as Klindt won again in a 2-4. Danny King hit the deck at the start of heat six with all four riders called back as the skipper was checked over by the medical team. In the re-run the home team pulled a couple of points back with Doyle taking the chequered flag after getting round Niels Kristian Iversen and King in third. The Stars recorded the first maximum of the day in heat seven to go six points ahead. King was first across the line in heat eight, but Klindt managed to split the Witches forcing Jordan Jenkins to settle for a point in an Ipswich 4-2 which made it 22-26 overall.

Tom Brennan got his first win of the afternoon in heat nine as the Suffolk side pulled another two points back with Iversen holding off Adam Ellis for second. It was level after heat 10 as Doyle won and Lawson edged out King on the run to the line for second. The run of 4-2s continued in heat 11 meaning the hosts went ahead for the first time in the meeting after Sayfutdinov raced past Chris Harris for the three points. Ritchie Hawkins made a reserve switch ahead of heat 12 with Dan Thompson coming in for Jenkins and he duly won the race with his partner Ellis following him home for a 5-1 that put Ipswich 39-33 ahead.

Another maximum followed in heat 13 courtesy of Sayfutdinov and Doyle as Rob Lyon brought in Kvěch as a tactical substitute in heat 14. The first staging of the race was stopped with Brennan falling and all four riders called back for a second attempt. Kvěch made no impact at the back as Thompson picked up another win in the re-run in another heat advantage to the hosts. The icing on the cake was a Doyle and Sayfutdinov maximum in the final race of the day as Ipswich celebrated a 13th consecutive win over their local rivals.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win over King’s Lynn…

“It was a really tough meeting for us, tougher than the scoreline suggests. We started the meeting slowly, not helped by losing the coin toss. It was one meeting where the coin toss was significant, but we weren’t good enough to start with. After the heat seven break we really turned it around and stepped up a gear or two and I was really happy with how convincing and good the boys looked in the second half of the meeting.

“Track conditions were tricky and different; it is hard not to have a slick track when the weather has been so hot for a daytime meeting. It played a part but isn’t an excuse, we weren’t good enough to start with, but it shows we have it in our locker to step up and look convincing in the second half.

“Jordan didn’t complain but you could see he is uncomfortable on the bike, but I am really pleased he showed such commitment to ride through the pain barrier today and contribute important points to the team, that really pleased me. Danny took a knock in his crash and when I saw him on the deck, part of me was worried he was done for the day which would have made our task even harder. He stepped up and contributed really vital points after that, so both of them showed true commitment which is what we are all about.

“It was great to see so many people here, we appreciate it, and it is what this team deserves for a bank holiday occasion. It’s a local derby and you should be getting good crowds, we needed everyone’s support today and the atmosphere was great once we kicked on. We have a break from team action until a really tough test at Sheffield in 10 days but before then we have four boys in the British Final and we look forward to that.”

TRU7 GROUP & RN EUSTON RIDERS OF THE DAY

Tru7 Group chose Doyle after he top scored with 12+2.

RN Euston went for Thompson who scored nine from reserve.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up another two points as they remain top of the table whilst King’s Lynn drop to sixth as the search for their first points away from home goes on.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Sheffield to take on the Tigers on Thursday 15th May in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.