Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY PREVIEW: OXFORD – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture with Oxford.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Oxford to face the Spires at the Oxford Stadium on Thursday 11th April in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

OXFORD: 1. Maciej Janowski 8.00 2. Charles Wright 6.20 3. Nicolai Klindt 6.68 4. Rohan Tungate 6.63 5. Chris Harris 6.89 © 6. Lewis Kerr 5.32 7. Ashton Boughen (RS). Team Manager: Peter Schroeck

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 10.22 2. Jordan Jenkins 4.37 3. Danny King 7.28 © 4. Adam Ellis 5.67 5. Jason Doyle 9.12 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Oxford37
Ipswich24
Belle Vue22
Sheffield22
Leicester22
Birmingham41
King’s Lynn10

TICKETS

Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches return to ROWE Motor Oil Premiership action on Thursday with a trip to top-flight newcomers Oxford.

The Witches have started the season strongly with two wins from two in the league at Foxhall and they have already tasted victory on the road with a win at Leicester in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg tie. Thursday’s test promises to be a tough one with both teams yet to taste defeat in 2024.

The visitors are at full strength for this fixture, and it is a place Jordan Jenkins knows well with the youngster having ridden for Oxford in previous seasons.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It is our first trip to Oxford for a very long time and I’m delighted to see them back in the league and doing so well since they re-opened a couple of seasons ago. It will be a new test for us, they have built a very good side and have started the season well, they look a very strong side. After winning at Leicester, I said to the boys if we can win there, we can win anywhere. We have shown our own strengths at the start of the season, and we will hope to carry that on at Oxford.

“It will be a new track for some of the boys and unusually in speedway the lesser experienced riders will have probably done more laps at the track than the more experienced guys. Jordan has raced at Oxford many times and hopefully his knowledge of the circuit can help us. I’m sure the top guys will quickly adapt to a different track and Keynan has the experience of learning new tracks last year, so it is another for him and hopefully he picks it up quickly because it could be an important role he has now he is down at number six. We have got a great bond going already throughout the team and I’m sure we will all work together to help each other out to get our heads round the track quickly.

“Last week we lost a true Ipswich legend in John Louis. To start a career so late and achieve so much is remarkable but to be so highly regarded by so many is even more remarkable. John set the standard for future Witches to follow, and we will continue to strive and achieve these standards.”

THE SPIRES

Oxford make their return to the top level of British Speedway for the first time since 2007 in what is an extremely positive news story for the sport. The club closed down that year and a wheel wasn’t turned in anger at the Oxford Stadium until the club returned in the Championship in 2022. The club run a team in each division of British Speedway, and it has been a dream return to the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership so far for the Spires as they sit top of the table with three wins from three.

The hosts have built a competitive team for 2024 with former Grand Prix star Maciej Janowski leading the side having made his return to racing in Britain for the first time since 2015. Chris Harris captains the team with Australian champion Rohan Tungate, former British champion Charles Wright and Nicolai Klindt completing a strong top five. Lewis Kerr is at reserve alongside Rising Star Ashton Boughen.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22 with accompanied children under 16 going free if bought in advance. There is a £2 price increase for adult tickets purchased on the day. Due to limited parking at the stadium, free parking will be available thanks to Unipart at their site just a short walk from the stadium (approx 800m) on a first come first served basis, please remember to select this option if required when purchasing your tickets as this will be required when arriving at the car park. A free shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the stadium from the Unipart car park site. Unipart postcode is OX4 2PG. Limited disabled car parking is available at the stadium; these spaces are on a first come first served basis. For further information head here.

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

JOHN ‘TIGER’ LOUIS 1941-2024

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Ipswich Speedway legend John ‘Tiger’ Louis has passed away at the age of 82.

The Ipswich-born rider joined the club in 1970 spending the majority of his career with the Witches and led the team to league and cup titles in the 70s. He became British champion in 1975 and on the world stage he finished third at Wembley Stadium in one of his four World Championship Finals.

Nicknamed ‘Tiger’ for his iconic leathers, John also represented England in the World Team Cup, winning gold three times. After his racing career, he became promoter at Foxhall before retiring from the role in 2019.

Everyone’s thoughts are with the Louis family at this time, John ‘Tiger’ Louis is a man this town will never forget.


IPSWICH V LEICESTER – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches’ Knockout Cup fixture against Leicester on Thursday 4th April has been postponed due to rainfall late this afternoon not allowing the track enough time to dry out, with a decision made at 5.45pm on Thursday.

A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: LEICESTER – KNOCKOUT CUP QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg fixture with Leicester.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 4th April in a Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 10.22 2. Jordan Jenkins 4.37 3. Danny King 7.28 © 4. Adam Ellis 5.67 5. Jason Doyle 9.12 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.84 © 2. Richard Lawson 6.67 3. Sam Masters 6.96 4. Luke Becker 6.95 5. Ryan Douglas 7.10 6. Drew Kemp 4.22 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: M. Bates

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield – Belle Vue

First Leg: Leicester 42-48 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich – Leicester

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 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 STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches race the decisive second leg fixture against Leicester on Thursday at Foxhall in the Knockout Cup quarter-final.

The two sides met on Monday at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena in the first leg, and it was the Witches who came away with a six-point lead after a terrific performance on the road maintained their 100% record in 2024. That advantage puts Ipswich in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals, but they know that Leicester have a team of riders capable of overturning the deficit at Foxhall.

The Witches line up the same as they did in the first leg where Dan Thompson continued his sensational start to the campaign scoring 9+1 from the Rising Star position and a repeat performance from the Suffolk side will see them move into the last four as they look to retain their title.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Back to Foxhall on Thursday after a tight, hard-fought victory at Leicester on Monday and I’m sure the second leg will be no different. I am expecting a very tough, challenging meeting and I’m sure it will be an entertaining one.

“I know Stewart and Leicester will be coming to Ipswich to win and go through in the tie. They are capable of doing that and we will need to have the same determination as we did on Monday to get the job done and get through to the next round.”

THE LIONS

Leicester will be hurting after Monday’s first leg defeat and come to Foxhall knowing they must perform better and win by more than six points if they want to stay in the Knockout Cup. The Lions ran Ipswich close on their visits to Suffolk in 2023 but lost all three fixtures.

The visitors are packed with riders who tend to go well at Foxhall with Sam Masters in particular having enjoyed many high scores in Suffolk. They also have three former Witches returning in Richard Lawson, Drew Kemp and Joe Thompson who have all done plenty of laps at Foxhall.

RACEDAY REPORT: LEICESTER 42-48 IPSWICH – KNOCKOUT CUP QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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Picture courtesy of Richard Boettcher

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

LEICESTER 42: Max Fricke © 7, Richard Lawson 9+2, Sam Masters 10+1, Luke Becker 6+1, Ryan Douglas 7+1, Drew Kemp 3+1, Joe Thompson (RS) 0. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

IPSWICH 48: Emil Sayfutdinov 11, Jordan Jenkins 1, Danny King © 6+2, Adam Ellis 5+1, Jason Doyle 11+1, Keynan Rew 5+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 9+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: A. Steele

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield – Belle Vue

First Leg: Leicester 42-48 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich – Leicester

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches continued their perfect start to 2024 after winning at Leicester in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final on Monday.

Having won the competition in 2023, the Witches are determined to retain the title and having edged ahead during the mid-part of the meeting, they managed to take a two-point lead going into heat 15 before striking a maximum which gives them the six-point advantage going into the second leg at home. Jason Doyle top scored with 11+1.

The hosts struck an early blow in heat one with a 5-1 but the visitors responded immediately in heat two with a maximum of their own thanks to Dan Thompson and Keynan Rew. The points were shared in heat three before Doyle and Thompson combined for another maximum in heat four to put the away side 10-14 in front.

The scores were level again after heat five as the Lions recorded a 5-1 as Doyle won a shared heat six. There was another 3-3 in heat seven and Ipswich edged back in front in heat eight as Thompson took the chequered flag with Jordan Jenkins picking up a point for a 2-4 to go 23-25 ahead.

Doyle remained unbeaten with another three points in heat nine and the points were shared again in heat 10. Emil Sayfutdinov registered victory in heat 11 and with Thompson amongst the points it extended the Ipswich lead to four points. Leicester clawed two points back in heat 12 with a heat advantage to make the score 35-37 to Ipswich.

Sayfutdinov was the winner of a shared heat 13 and Rew took the win in heat 14 in a 3-3. The Suffolk side ensured they had a lead to take back to Foxhall for the second leg as Saytutdinov and Doyle raced to a maximum in the final race of the night to complete an impressive evening’s work.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win against Leicester.

“I’m absolutely buzzing with tonight, Leicester are a very good team and it is as tough a draw as we could have got. To win the first leg by six points I am delighted with that and the start to the season we have had.

“Emil struggled at the start, but we covered that well and Dan Thompson has started the season absolutely flying and showed his liking for Leicester again tonight. He was absolutely superb for a Rising Star, but I think all the boys contributed again. Keynan winning heat 14 was a bit of a highlight, that was a great ride to see him improve. Jordan’s score didn’t reflect his performance and those last two rides were the level we know he can ride at, so I think his season has started as well now.

“Going into the fixture, I spoke about it before, it was one we could win there and one they will believe they can win at Foxhall. I’m delighted but we also know the job is far from done and Leicester are more than capable with their team, and we must perform better than we did against Birmingham last week because Leicester will be a tough test.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Thompson was superb once again from the Rising Star scoring 9+1, a vital contribution towards the victory.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich take a six-point lead back to Foxhall ahead of the second leg on Thursday.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 4th April in the second leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: LEICESTER – KNOCKOUT CUP QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg fixture with Leicester.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester to face the Lions at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena on Monday 1st April in Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.84 © 2. Richard Lawson 6.67 3. Sam Masters 6.96 4. Luke Becker 6.95 5. Ryan Douglas 7.10 6. Drew Kemp 4.22 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 10.22 2. Jordan Jenkins 4.37 3. Danny King 7.28 © 4. Adam Ellis 5.67 5. Jason Doyle 9.12 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: A. Steele

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

Sheffield v Belle Vue

Ipswich v Leicester

TICKETS

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

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches begin their defence of the Knockout Cup against Leicester with the first leg of the quarter-final on Monday evening at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena.

The Witches won the competition in 2023 and met the Lions at the same stage of the cup during that run, winning both the home and away legs against the Lions. There are changes to the visitors’ line-up due to the latest averages released. Keynan Rew drops to reserve with Jordan Jenkins moving to number two whilst Adam Ellis is now at number four.

It will be Ipswich’s first away trip of 2024, having won both of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixtures so far at Foxhall as they look to carry on that form on their travels and put themselves in a good position to advance to the next round in the second leg at Foxhall on Thursday.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Next week is going to be very tough, it is a tough draw. We will go there knowing we had great results there last year, but they will be confident in the strength of their side, and they will be confident they can go a job at Foxhall too.

“They have lots of riders that ride Foxhall well, so we have got to go there on Monday and look to perform and win that first leg. The cup run last year was terrific and we want to carry that on and get through this tough tie and hopefully we can go on another run.

“We have known this is going to happen with the averages before the season started and the boys had a plan as we knew about it weeks ago. Jordan moves into the team and that shows the progress he has made over the last few years, to progress from Rising Star to the reserve berth, to number two. That is where you want your career to go, and it is great to see him progressing.

“Keynan has started the season well but a little spell at reserve should do him the world of good. I needed Adam to do a couple of meetings at number two, but he goes to number four now, and we will see how him and Danny get on as a partnership.”

THE LIONS

Leicester agonisingly missed out on the top four last season being pipped by Ipswich to the final spot for the play-offs and were also defeated by the Witches at the Knockout Cup quarter-final stage. The hosts will be looking to avoid history repeating itself in the cup and know they cannot afford defeat in their home leg this time around. The Lions won their 2024 opener on home shale, defeating the King’s Lynn Stars 47-42.

Stewart Dickson’s side have retained three of their 2023 side in Max Fricke, Richard Lawson and Drew Kemp whilst adding three former Wolverhampton riders over the winter in Sam Masters, Ryan Douglas and Luke Becker. Former Witch Joe Thompson is their Rising Star and will come up against his twin brother Dan on Monday.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions £20, children (6-17) £1 and children aged 5 and under go free. There will be 235 free car park spaces available at the stadium with further free car parking facilities on the Beaumont Shopping Complex (maximum time of 4 hours). Three Coach/Mini Bus spaces, 15 Disabled spaces available, 15 Motorcycle spaces, Taxi drop-off point. For travel information head here.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 49–41 BIRMINGHAM – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 49: Emil Sayfutdinov 4+2, Adam Ellis 11, Danny King © 5, Keynan Rew 7+1, Jason Doyle 14, Jordan Jenkins 1+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 7+3. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BIRMINGHAM 41: Vaclav Milik 7+2, Tom Brennan 8+2, Wiktor Lampart 5, Steve Worrall © 4+2, Scott Nicholls 11, Zach Cook 6, Leon Flint (RS) 0. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

REFEREE: S. Kennett

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich24
Oxford24
Leicester12
Sheffield22
Birmingham31
King’s Lynn10
Belle Vue10

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches made it two wins from two ROWE Motor Oil Premiership matches after a hard-fought victory against Birmingham on Thursday at Foxhall.

The hosts welcomed back Jason Doyle into the side as they took to track as a full team for the first time this season. However, it was the top-flight newcomers who went ahead, and they led the meeting until heat 10 before Ipswich stepped it up a gear to clinch the points on a cold and windy evening in Suffolk. Doyle top scored with 14 points.

Adam Ellis won an awarded heat one which ended in a 3-3 with Emil Sayfutdinov suffering a rare fall towards the end of the race whilst pushing hard in third. The points were shared in heat two as Zach Cook took victory and the away team then hit the front with a maximum in heat three. Scott Nicholls took the chequered flag in heat four ahead of Doyle, leaving the Brummies 10-14 up.

Captain Danny King was excluded from heat five after going through the tapes and in the re-run the visitors extended their lead with a heat advantage. The home side reduced the deficit in heat six as Ellis and Sayfutdinov raced to a maximum. Doyle took the chequered flag in a shared heat seven before Tom Brennan won heat eight in a 3-3 that kept his side 23-25 in front.

Nicholls won heat nine to maintain Birmingham’s advantage, but the Witches went ahead for the first time in the meeting with a 5-1 from Ellis and Sayfutdinov in heat 10. Doyle picked up another three points in heat 11 and Ipswich extended the lead to four points in heat 12 as King won and Dan Thompson rode superbly to pass Wiktor Lampart on the final lap for a point, making it 38-34.

Doyle and Sayfutdinov looked like they were on the way to a maximum in heat 13 but Sayfutdinov went into the fence going into the third turn of the opening lap and was excluded. Doyle won the re-run before another crash stopped the action in heat 14. Brummies skipper Steve Worrall hit the deck whilst amongst the points and in the re-run, Ipswich secured the league points with a 5-1 thanks to Keynan Rew and Thompson. Doyle won heat 15 to round off his impressive performance as the Witches got the job done.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Birmingham.

“It was a really tough meeting; we were behind for a lot of it. Birmingham will feel like they could have got more out of the meeting. I’m very happy with our team with how they fought and improved during the meeting, and we stuck to the task and got the win in the end. I go away with lots of positives, but it was certainly a tough night.

“We had a lot of rain, but the track was good, and it was a bit of a slow start I suppose. Danny had a tough start to the meeting which didn’t help but Adam started really well and that compensated for that. It was tough but we stuck to it and came on strong at the end.

“I am massively impressed by Dan again; he was the star last week and I thought he improved again this week. I am really pleased with him, and he has started the season great, and he has contributed massively. His points were valuable tonight.

“Emil had a tough night with two falls and a couple of paid wins. Normally when Emil and Doyley hit the front, they get a 5-1 in heat 13 but it was a big crash. I’m sure he will pick himself up and be ok but for him to score four points and for us to win the meeting wouldn’t have happened last season. So, to still win the meeting shows how we have improved and how much stronger we are this season.

“Great to have Jason back, he has been superb for us since he joined us, and it was another superb performance. He is clearly the best rider around here and it makes a huge difference. When he ended up on his own in heat 13, to make that start and get the win was vital.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Thompson once again excelled from the Rising Star position scoring 7+3 which included a terrific ride in heat 12 that was celebrated on the terraces.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich move top of the early table whilst Birmingham remain on one point from three fixtures so far despite their encouraging performances.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester on Monday 1st April for the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture with Birmingham.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Birmingham Brummies at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 28th March in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 10.10 2. Adam Ellis 5.57 3. Danny King 7.05 © 4. Keynan Rew 4.00 5. Jason Doyle 9.12 6. Jordan Jenkins 3.16 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Vaclav Milik 7.50 2. Tom Brennan 5.87 3. Wiktor Lampart 6.00 4. Steve Worrall 6.44 © 5. Scott Nicholls 5.56 6. Zach Cook 5.10 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

REFEREE: S. Kennett

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Oxford24
Ipswich12
Leicester12
Sheffield22
Birmingham21
King’s Lynn10
Belle Vue10

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 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 STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches are back at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday for the visit of ROWE Motor Oil Premiership newcomers Birmingham.

The Witches begun their campaign last week with an impressive 51-39 victory over the Belle Vue Aces despite being without Grand Prix star Jason Doyle, who was at the birth of his daughter. The Australian returns to the line-up on Thursday as the Suffolk side take to the track as a full team for the first time in 2024.

A return to home shale gives the team the chance to build on last week’s positive start to the campaign and put another two points on the board as they look to gain confidence and momentum ahead of an important week in the Knockout Cup next week.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“I’m delighted to be back at Foxhall after our very good performance last week and it is nice to be starting the season with home meetings. If we can avoid getting caught cold early on it is nice to get into the season with a winning habit.

“We are delighted to welcome Jason back and have our first meeting as a full team and we will stay with the same riding order.

“Adam had a tough heat one last week but then improved every race and I am pleased with how he has come into the side. He has lit up the place with his personality, it is like he has never been away, and he has been away a long time, but you would never think it!

“It was great to see Danny start the season well; I always feel he needs a bit of time to ride himself into the season, but I think all the hard work he has put in over the winter and over the last few years on his equipment is going to reap the rewards this season.

“Dan was my star man last week, his first meeting at number seven back in the top league after his injury and missing the end of last season and it was probably up there with the best he has ridden at Ipswich. To come straight back and perform like he did, I was delighted with him.

“It is great to have Birmingham back in the top league and they will have a warm welcome from us and I’m sure all the fans are looking forward to seeing a new club and some new talent on show. Having watched a lot of Vaclav Milik and Wiktor Lampart, they will certainly provide a lot of entertainment at Foxhall.”

THE BRUMMIES

Birmingham are back in the top-flight of British Speedway for the first time since 2014. The Brummies have been regulars in the Championship in recent seasons, finishing seventh in 2023 before deciding to make the step up in 2024. The West Midlands outfit have raced two fixtures so far, running the Oxford Spires close at Sandy Lane in a 47-43 defeat before losing a Super Heat at home to Sheffield on Monday.

As well as being a new team to the division there are some fresh faces for Ipswich fans to look out for at Foxhall. Czech Republic star Vaclav Milik has had spells in British Speedway before, but Thursday will be his fist visit to the Suffolk track whilst it will also be a debut at Ipswich for the Polish rider Wiktor Lampart.

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 51–39 BELLE VUE – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 51: Emil Sayfutdinov 12+1, Adam Ellis 7+1, Danny King © 11+2, Keynan Rew 4+1, Scott Nicholls (G) 7, Jordan Jenkins 4+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 6+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE 39: Brady Kurtz © 13, Norick Blödorn 5+1, Jaimon Lidsey 4, Ben Cook 0, Dan Bewley 9, Connor Mountain 7, Connor Bailey (RS) 1+1. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: P. Carrington

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Oxford24
Ipswich12
Leicester12
Birmingham10
Sheffield10
King’s Lynn10
Belle Vue10

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches began their 2024 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign with victory over the Belle Vue Aces on Thursday night at Foxhall.

The hosts were missing Jason Doyle due to personal reasons with Scott Nicholls guesting in his absence on opening night. The scores were level after six races but despite being without their Grand Prix star, Ipswich managed to kick on and record a comfortable win to get their season started. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 12+1.

The visitors struck an early heat advantage in heat one as Brady Kurtz held off Sayfutdinov and in heat two Dan Thompson had to work hard for the win in a shared heat. Witches skipper Danny King levelled the score in heat three as he raced to victory in a 4-2. Dan Bewley won heat four in a 3-3 that left it all square at 12-12.

Kurtz picked up another win in heat five and it looked like the hosts would edge ahead in heat six, but Bewley had other ideas, passing both Ipswich riders in a 3-3. Ben Cook was excluded from heat seven after a fall and the home team took full advantage in the re-run as Nicholls and Jordan Jenkins raced to a 5-1. Ipswich extended the lead in heat eight as Adam Ellis took the chequered flag in a 4-2 which gave the Suffolk side a 27-21 lead.

Belle Vue team manager Mark Lemon put captain Kurtz in as a tactical substitute in heat nine and he continued his fine form with another win as King managed to hold off Bewley for second, resulting in a 2-4 to the away side. Sayfutdinov got his first win of the season in heat 10 and was followed home by Ellis for a maximum however this was immediately cancelled out in heat 11 as Kurtz and Norick Blödorn returned the favour. King picked up another three points in heat 12 with Thompson third for a point to give the Witches a 4-2 and a 39-33 lead.

Sayfutdinov was the winner in heat 13 in another heat advantage to Ipswich and victory was mathematically secured in heat 14 with the race awarded as a 3-3 following Cook’s crash late on in the race. The home side added some further gloss to the scoreline with a 5-1 from Sayfutdinov and King in heat 15 to make the final score 51-39.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Belle Vue.

“I’m really happy, it was certainly a tricky night and a potential banana skin against a very good Belle Vue team. We coped with them well and improved during the meeting, every single rider. It was everything I could have asked for from an opening night.

“Everyone scored and everyone contributed, nobody struggled throughout the meeting consistently. Losing Doyley is a massive blow to our team, but Scott came in and did a really good job and I’m really happy he could guest. His contribution took the pressure off the other boys.

“We certainly looked rusty at the start of the night, but they made changes and improved and that was good to see. They were trying things and getting things figured out which you wouldn’t expect to happen overnight, but they did it quickly.  

“It was great to see a good crowd in for opening night giving us good backing and I’m sure they were all entertained again, and we have got a long season ahead, but it was a positive start.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Captain King impressed by recording a score of 11+2 from five rides that included two race wins.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich are off the mark and put two points to their name whilst Belle Vue travel back empty-handed and will have to wait to record their first points of 2024.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Birmingham Brummies at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 28th March in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.