Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY PREVIEW: BELLE VUE – 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 Belle Vue.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 21st 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. Scott Nicholls (G) 9.12 6. Jordan Jenkins 3.16 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE: 1. Brady Kurtz 8.51 © 2. Norick Blödorn 5.83 3. Jaimon Lidsey 7.86 4. Ben Cook 6.00 5. Dan Bewley 8.00 6. Connor Mountain 3.52 7. Connor Bailey (RS). Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: P. Carrington

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Oxford12
Belle Vue00
Ipswich00
King’s Lynn00
Leicester00
Sheffield00
Birmingham10

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 begin their 2024 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign on Thursday as they host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall. The Suffolk side finished as runners-up in the top-flight last season and are aiming to go one better this year as the race to put points on the board starts with all seven clubs battling it out to make the top four and qualify for the play-offs.

Ipswich have kept the majority of their 2023 side together with just two changes to the line-up. 2021 British champion Adam Ellis is back at a place he knows well having represented the Witches earlier in his career and he starts the season at number two. Jordan Jenkins is the other new signing, and he starts the season at reserve and is another rider who knows the club well having raced many laps at Foxhall as a youngster.

The formidable duo of Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle lead the team again and are sure to provide plenty of entertainment again over the course of the season whilst captain Danny King returns for another year with the club. Keynan Rew will be looking to continue his development with a year of British experience now under his belt whilst Rising Star Dan Thompson will hope to recapture the form he was showing last season before injury curtailed his campaign with Ipswich.

There is a late change to the Ipswich line-up with Scott Nicholls guesting in place of Doyle, who is missing for personal reasons.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It’s the first night of the season and here we go again! I feel like we have built another exciting team for everyone to watch, similarly to last year which proved successful. They provided so much entertainment every week at Foxhall so going into the new season I am massively excited to carry that on and entertain.

“Opening night is always tricky but as we have kept the majority of last year’s side who were doing so well at the end of last season and a couple of riders who have good experience at Foxhall, we will hope for a strong start on Thursday. There will be nerves for a few of them and everyone will need time to get back to race pace but we feel we are as well prepared as you can be.

“We have kept the riding order the same as last season, just with two new riders slotting into the positions of the riders they replaced essentially. We want to carry on from last year by keeping things the same and I’m sure it will change throughout the season, but I feel that is the best way to go for now.

“Belle Vue have probably been the best team over the last two years in the country and were certainly very good at Foxhall last season. We need to be sharp from the off and you couldn’t ask for a tougher test. I’m hoping for a big crowd, the boys have had a great winter with great preparation which is needed if we want to win.”

THE ACES

Belle Vue finished comfortably at the top of the 2023 Premiership table before suffering a dramatic exit in the play-off semi-finals to Ipswich. The Aces have been serious contenders for a number of seasons now, lifting the trophy in 2022 and are sure to use last season’s disappointment to drive them on and recapture the title in 2024.

Similarly to the Witches, there were just two changes to the Belle Vue side over the winter with Ben Cook and Connor Mountain replacing Charles Wright and Tom Brennan. The Manchester-based outfit are led by captain Brady Kurtz with support from Grand Prix rider and current British champion Dan Bewley whilst Australian Jaimon Lidsey has become a consistent heat-leader at this level. 

JOHN & CHRIS LOUIS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

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Ipswich’s father and son rider and promotional duo John and Chris Louis are the latest inductees to the British Speedway Hall of Fame.

The two have dedicated much of their lives to the sport and have followed remarkably similar career paths in terms of on-track achievements and then taking charge of the Foxhall club.

Both John and Chris enjoyed highly distinguished racing careers, the bulk of which was spent with the Witches for both men.

Despite being a relatively late starter – his first season with the Suffolk side came in 1970 at the age of 28 – John enjoyed a very successful 15-year stint in the sport.

He spent the majority of the ‘70s at the top of the Witches’ averages and was crowned British Champion in 1975 and league riders’ champion in 1979.

Internationally he qualified for four World Finals, finishing on the rostrum in third place at Wembley in 1975, and he was part of victorious England teams in the World Team Cup on three occasions.

John ended his career with stints with Halifax and King’s Lynn, and then took over day-to-day operations back at Ipswich in the late-80s as Chris launched his own racing career. John remained as a promoter all the way through until 2019.

Having made his debut in the second tier with Hackney, Chris became a full member of the Ipswich team in 1989 and spent the remainder of his career with the club, captaining them to a clean sweep of major honours in 1998 with a team regarded as one of the best in the history of British Speedway.

Individually he became World Under-21 Champion in 1990 and won the British title in 1998 and 2000. He rode in two World Finals, finishing third at Pocking in 1993, and was then a regular competitor in the Grand Prix in the initial years of the series, with a best finish of fifth in 1998.

He raced on until 2008, overcoming serious injury to extend his career, and then moved into promoting, where he now runs Ipswich Speedway alongside Ritchie Hawkins.

British Speedway is delighted to induct John and Chris into the Hall of Fame, which recognises outstanding contribution to the sport.

They join previous inductees Len Silver and the late Colin Pratt, both former riders and promoters, and much-missed broadcaster and writer Nigel Pearson who passed away nearly two years ago.

The presentation was made to Chris by Premiership CEO Phil Morris at BSP headquarters earlier this week.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

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By Henry Chard

Ahead of the 2024 season we spoke to two volunteers who help run the Ipswich Speedway Supporters’ Club. Cheryl Dickerson is chairperson whilst Mark Styles is treasurer, and both explained how they got involved in the running of the Supporters’ Club.

“It was 1987, the chairman at the time was a guy called Ian Wallace and we were quite good friends,” said Styles. “The secretary was leaving so he suggested I stand for election, and it didn’t quite work out and I ended up being the treasurer. I am quite good with figures, and I fancied having a go at it and that lasted until the end of 2008. Then I left but got persuaded to come back three years later and it was meant to be short-term because the treasurer who replaced me was ill so I said I would help them out for a year or two, but I am still there!”

“Charlotte, my daughter, became a Junior Witch member and William my son ended up as the Witches mascot,” said Dickerson. “When that happened, I thought I really better join the Supporters’ Club. I had done a bit of Witches Winner here and there and then Peter (Thorpe) asked me to come on the committee and I really thought I ought to.”

Styles was part of the Save Our Speedway campaign that was crucial to the survival of Ipswich Speedway and both he and Dickerson highlighted the role the Supporters’ Club has in the running of the speedway club.

“SOS was set up in 1996, the club was going bankrupt at the end of 1995 and SOS was set up and it is still going,” said Styles. “It is there to support the speedway promotion and that is a big part of the Supporters’ Club. We are very fortunate at Ipswich that both the speedway club and the Supporters’ Club have very good sponsors and the Supporters’ Club do various things like calendars, but we are fortunate to have sponsors that regularly help us out.

“It is an independent arm of Ipswich Speedway which is there to support, with SOS it was set up as a fundraiser for various things and it has kept going. 29 years have gone on and things we set up like the 400 Club and Witches Winner continue to be supported by people, some people have been in the 400 Club since its inception.

“We are very lucky, speedway fans can be very loyal at Ipswich, you can see that from season tickets. People have had them forever, but this year we have been fortunate as we have had a lot of new applicants, if you provide the right product people will buy it.”

“I think the Supporters’ Club is two-fold,” Dickerson added. “Part of it is in the name, we are there for the supporters, but we are also there to help the club. It is important we are able to support the club as and when it is needed by fundraising.

“The main fundraiser is the Meet The Riders event and hopefully the End of Season Awards night and the Quizzes, they all help. Equally it is to provide something for the supporters like the coach trip to Cardiff and we even got a coach on for Sheffield last season. The quizzes are for the supporters, they seem to enjoy it and Chris and Julie (Louis) usually go too and it does contribute to the SOS account, so if ever the club need the money, it is there to help the club keep going.

“We also arrange the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund collection each year and are very proud that we have been the top club for the past two years and we were top pre-covid!”

The pair talked about their roles within the Supporters Club and why they enjoy what they do.

“I am chairperson and I use that term, but it is just a title,” said Dickerson. “We have committee meetings which I chair, and I don’t have to, but I took on the role of compiling the quizzes for Quiz Night and compering them. I just make sure everything runs smoothly, we are a team that work together and communicate, and we all have bits we are good at.

“I just love speedway and it is nice to be able to do something to help. I just love being involved, I have been chairperson since December 2012. I am part of the Witches Winner team as well and it is nice to give something back.”

“I have got a role which suits me, I don’t find it particularly difficult, and you always strive to achieve more and that is the challenge that I like,” Styles added. “Be it fundraising, or the season tickets, I find it a challenge and you always like to do better.

“I first went at the back end of 1975 and my parents went before me and although my parents lived in Ipswich, they went to Norwich for speedway, so I guess it is hereditary! There are a lot of families that go to speedway, as time has gone on children become parents and then their children go, a bit like every sport, if you get into it with your parents, it does tend to carry on.”

Dickerson went on to explain how you can join the Supporters’ Club, the 400 Club and the Junior Witches.

“If you are a season ticket holder you get automatic membership to the Supporters’ Club. If you want to join it is £5 per year and you can join on any race night or you can download a form from our website and post it off. The benefits are that you get a reduction on any event we do (other than Meet The Riders) and any coach trips. Equally, any money raised goes to helping us to help the club.

“The 400 Club is £5 per month, you can download a form from our website or call into the Supporters’ Club hut on race nights. First prize is £250, with the second prize usually variable from £70-£90 and there are four consolation prizes of £25. Half the money is paid out in prizes with the other half going into the SOS account.

“The Junior Witches is capably run by Mandy Bell, Suzanne Cosgrove and Samuel Broom. It is £5 per year and is open to all fans 15 years old and younger. You receive birthday and Christmas cards signed by the riders and there are competitions each race day. You also have the chance to be meeting mascot with the opportunity to watch a race from the centre green which includes having your photo taken with your favourite rider and taking part in the victory parade lap.

“We are really appreciative of everyone that supports us, whether that be sponsors who support us with raffle prize donations or any supporter that buys a ticket, a calendar or bauble, all of it helps support the club.”

Visit the Supporters’ Club website here or visit them at the Supporters’ Club hut on race days which is located on the first/second bend at Foxhall.

PREMIERSHIP IN TIME WITH OMOLOGATO

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British Speedway’s Premiership is thrilled to unveil a link-up with esteemed international motorsport watches specialist OMOLOGATO.

The company, based in Windsor in the UK and Indianapolis in the USA, will become the Official Timing Partner of the UK’s top-flight league.

OMOLOGATO has already established itself as a prominent player in the motorsport world, including being official partners for the British Superbike (BSB) series and the GB3 and GB4 Championships. They have secured partnerships with renowned Formula 1 circuits Monza and Imola, as well as being team partners for current IndyCar Series champions Chip Ganassi Racing.

OMOLOGATO has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and precision in the field of motorsports. Their ethos goes beyond creating high-quality motorsport watches, with a significant portion of the company’s profits reinvested directly into racing.

This is not a watch brand, but a MOTORSPORT watch brand instead, with every piece of their numerous collections telling a specific tale of racing greatness.

This aligns seamlessly with the values of the Premiership, building a partnership that not only elevates the speedway experience for fans but also contributes to the growth and success of the sport.

As part of their arrangement with the Premiership, a Rider of the Night award will be presented at the conclusion of each Eurosport televised meeting, with the winner receiving an OMOLOGATO watch. In addition, the top three riders in the British Final will receive a watch and all seven riders of the club who are crowned league champions will also receive a special prize.

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “We are delighted to launch this partnership with a company who are extensively involved in many forms of motorsport, and it’s great that they are keen to put their name to speedway.

“I have been very impressed with all aspects of their business, including their list of clients and partners elsewhere, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

OMOLOGATO founder Shami Kalra said: “We are incredibly excited to partner with the British Speedway Premiership as the official timing partner.

“Speedway racing is a thrilling sport that demands precision and split-second timing, and we are proud to lend our expertise to support the league.

“At OMOLOGATO, we share the same passion for speed, performance, and innovation that drives the world of motorsports, and we look forward to contributing to the success of the British Speedway Premiership.”

PREMIERSHIP MEDIA DAY

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Supporters of all clubs will have the opportunity to ask questions at the Premiership Media Day which takes place on Wednesday March 20.

In a first for the sport, all riders from the seven Premiership clubs along with the team managers will be present at Belle Vue for a full day of activities to officially launch the 2024 season.

In addition to traditional interviews, the event will enable British Speedway and the clubs themselves to generate a wide variety of social media content, as well as creating a uniform look to photographs.

National and local media have been invited, along with our broadcast partners, with all of the riders and managers available for interviews. Each club will be allocated specific times during the day for broadcast and general interviews.

There will also be a press conference at 1pm in the Peter Craven Suite featuring one representative from each club and hosted by Darren Fletcher (TNT Sports) which will be livestreamed on the British Speedway YouTube channel.

Whilst the event will not be open to the public, supporters will be asked to submit any questions to riders and team managers, and the best of these will feature in the press conference and/or the individual team interviews.

It is also planned to stage a full ‘family group’ photo featuring all 49 riders in the same shot.

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “This is the first time an event has been done on this scale, and I see many benefits in what we have planned.

“Our aims are to increase the professional output of the Premiership, to improve the brand in general, and to expand the exposure of the league to a larger audience and demographic.

“We will be providing social media content to each Premiership team and also generating uniform content which will be used across the British Speedway channels.

“There will be extensive media activity on the day, and those are relationships we want to build on, and with all seven teams present this is a really collaborative event.

“I would urge supporters to follow all of the British Speedway social media accounts, including the recently launched TikTok, and to please share, like, repost and comment on postings. All of this engagement helps us massively.”

MEET THE RIDERS 2024

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The 2024 Meet the Riders event will take place on Thursday 14th March at Venue16.

THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, admittance costs £7 and is strictly by ticket only.  Tickets can be obtained via post (cheques payable to Save our Speedway) enclosing a SAE from ISSC, 7 Penshurst Road, Ipswich, IP3 8QZ. The PayPal option is available here – after checkout you will be emailed a numbered eticket to present on arrival at Venue16. 

You can also buy tickets in person at the ISSC Quiz on 14th February. The quiz will also be your last opportunity to purchase season tickets in person.

Venue address

Venue 16

312 Tuddenham Rd

Ipswich

IP4 3QJ

2024 PARTNER SPONSORS: RN EUSTON & SCOTT PROPERTIES

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By Henry Chard

RN Euston & Scott Properties will continue as partner sponsors of the 2024 team after renewing their sponsorship with the club.

RN Euston are a successful family run building business established in East Anglia, specialising in steel framed commercial and agricultural buildings whilst Scott Properties is a family run, self-funded Land Promoter operating throughout East Anglia and the South East of England.

Promoter Chris Louis is thrilled to have both companies supporting the club for another season and believes the two businesses are a good fit with the club.

“It is great to have our two partner sponsors returning for another year. They have shown just how passionate they are for the club; they are right behind the whole club. Having their support is vital and alongside the Tru7 Group gives us the tools to work with.

“The last couple of years we have been able to put together a team that starts as one of the favourites. This year is more competitive than I have seen in the last 15 years or so, but we are in a position to compete and that is down to people like Mark Euston and his family and Martin Scott and his family.

“Two hugely successful local businesses in their industries and I know they are as excited as I am, looking ahead to 2024. They are passionate about the sport and enjoyed the success we had last year as much as anyone.”

TRU7 GROUP TO SPONSOR IPSWICH IN 2024

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By Henry Chard

The 2024 side will be known as the Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches after Guy Nicholls and the Tru7 Group renewed their title sponsorship with the club for the new season.

The Tru7 Group have been title sponsors since 2016, with the Witches being known as the Tru7.com Witches, the Tru Plant Witches and the Tru Mix Witches.

Promoter Chris Louis is honoured to have the company on board again and to be representing the business.

“To maintain the Tru7 sponsorship is an honour,” said Louis. “In this area, you can’t avoid the name seeing the trucks on the roads, they are a hugely successful family business. To be representing them, that’s how we feel about it, is an honour and it is great to have them on board.

“It is a family of motorsport enthusiasts, particularly speedway with Guy and Jake. Jake is a hugely successful motocross rider in his own right. It is fabulous to have them on board for an eighth successive year and I can’t wait to get going, their passion for success only grows. Winning the Knockout Cup last year and going so close to the league title only makes that passion stronger.”

The former captain added that the company’s support is not just financial with the company’s desire to be the best being part of their make-up.

“Winning and being successful is a big part of their ethos and that comes from wanting to be the best in their business. That comes from offering the best equipment and service. That is how they view what they do and that is what they want to be involved in, that makes us extra proud to be their partner in that.

“The passion for that success only grew last year with how well we did. I remember so many interesting conversations with Guy over the years about how we can achieve that with the budget the club has. It is not one of the big budget clubs, there are clubs out there with bigger budgets, I can assure you. Our support last year kept the club on an even keel and seeing what it meant to the fans when we won that Knockout Cup is pushing us all on to go that one step further and get that ultimate goal.”

Louis says that the title sponsors remain as keen as everyone else at the club to see the Witches lift the league title in 2024.

“Guy just likes to work hard and get the job done and that is what he wants to see happen with the club. He backs me and my efforts to get that job done. It hasn’t ultimately happened since he has been actively involved with the club, but I do believe we are moving closer and closer, and we are all just desperate to lift that ultimate trophy.”