Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

KING’S IPSWICH DREAM

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By Rob Binns

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches captain Danny King is back fit and ready to challenge for the 2025 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership title.

King, who is returning for his 16th year with the Witches, fractured his hand in two places last April and had an operation to insert two plates which caused him discomfort on the bike for the remainder of the season, but he is much improved now.

He said: “Always excited to be back at Ipswich! A very frustrating year last year for me and the team but on a personal note it was hard work. I’ve been very fortunate with injuries throughout my career and unfortunately, last year wasn’t one of those.

“I managed to get in early with the surgery, we got it done before Christmas which was always the goal. It gave me plenty of time to recover and it’s feeling good I must admit, it’s certainly feeling a lot better than last year. I’ve been out on the bike a few times now and I feel really comfortable. It’s a big weight off my mind moving forward.”

King is one of six returning riders from last season and feels maintaining a similar team is important. He is also looking forward to riding with Tom Brennan who comes into the middle of the Ipswich order alongside the skipper and Adam Ellis in the only change from 2024.

He said: “I think the team we had last year was good, we were top of the league most of the year before unfortunately the injuries got the better of us towards the end and we really struggled. For the majority of the season, we managed to still keep our noses at the top of the league and perform on track which is always difficult when you’re having all the riders out injured at some point.

“I think it’s important that we kept the nucleus of that team which we have, and I’m really pleased with Tom coming in. I’m a big fan of Tom and I think he’s going to be a great asset to the club. We get on really well me, Tom and Adam, I’m not sure which formation the team will be in but I’m happy to ride with either of them guys. We all get on well and we’ve got good chemistry which makes a big difference when you’re riding together on track.”

The captain is desperate to win Ipswich’s first league title since 1998 and spoke of how he believes the team is ready to finally get over the line.

He said: “I think we are! I’ll be honest I think we were ready last year, but injury was the issue. This year, if we avoid that, we’re going to be there at the end and we’re going to have a good chance.

“It’s my dream [to captain a league-winning Ipswich team]. It’s my dream to do before I retire! We were close two years ago, I thought last year was going to be the year but hopefully, the third time is the charm.”

On a personal note, King insists despite his injury struggles last year he feels no different to any other season and doesn’t need to change anything.

“I was happy with the way the 2023 season ended, and I was happy with the way the 2024 season started. Unfortunately, that early injury to my hand really set me back and obviously never really fully recovered. It was frustrating but in terms of equipment I’m happy with what I’ve got and where I’m at and it’s down to me now to hit the ground running.”

RACEDAY GUIDE | OXFORD (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Oxford Spires at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 10th April in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSOR – The Thursday Night Club

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Danny King © 6.14 3. Adam Ellis 5.47 4. Tom Brennan 6.52 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.12 6. Dan Thompson 3.11 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

OXFORD: 1. Rohan Tungate 7.71 2. Justin Sedgmen (G) 5.55 3. Charles Wright 6.32 4. R/R for Peter Kildemand 6.00 5. Maciej Janowski © 7.02 6. Francis Gusts 4.50 7. Luke Killeen (RS). Team Manager: Peter Schroeck

REFEREE: S.H. Kennett

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue25
Ipswich24
Sheffield12
Leicester00
Oxford10
King’s Lynn20
Birmingham20

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 night as they welcome the Oxford Spires in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

It’s been an excellent start to 2025 for Ipswich as they head into the fixture with four wins from four outings so far. The home and away Knockout Cup wins against Belle Vue have been followed up by two hard-fought away wins at Oxford and Birmingham in the league, giving the Suffolk side a perfect start to the campaign.

Ritchie Hawkins sticks with the same riding order again and it is the first opportunity for his side to pick up an aggregate bonus point. Having won 48-42 at Oxford last week, the Witches know that any kind of win at home will see them pick up the extra point and would continue their fine start to the season.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“Everyone will be looking forward to getting back to Ipswich, the track was superb in our last home meeting. We have had a couple of tricky away meetings, on slick, tough tracks. The way Ipswich is now, the boys will be looking forward to racing on that now.

“We were superb last week; Oxford have a lot of riders that are going to come and enjoy Foxhall this year and know the track well. They can certainly cause an upset if we are not on our game.

“This team is superb to watch, we had a great crowd against Belle Vue, and I hope everyone comes out and backs us again. The weather is lovely at the moment, and we look forward to seeing you all.”

OXFORD SPIRES

It’s been a tough start to the season for the Spires who are yet to have that winning feeling in 2025. An early Knockout Cup exit was followed up by that home defeat to Ipswich last time out and they know they have it all to do at Foxhall where they meet an in-form Witches side.

They will also have to do it without star performer Erik Riss who is injured. Riss scored a whopping 20 points in that defeat against Ipswich but suffered a crash last weekend during which he picked up a shoulder injury. Justin Sedgmen guests in his place at number two. Peter Kildemand was due to return to the side after suffering a concussion but is a late withdrawal and rider replacement will be in operation at four.

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

Ipswich last welcomed Oxford to Foxhall in June of 2024 and the hosts raced to a comfortable 53-37 victory. The home team built a 12-point lead after seven races and lost Adam Ellis to injury mid-meeting before the Spires fought back to just four points behind. However, the Witches stepped up a gear and cruised to victory with Emil Sayfutdinov scoring a 12-point maximum.

RACEDAY REPORT | BIRMINGHAM 43-47 IPSWICH

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SCORECARD

BIRMINGHAM 43: Tobiasz Musielak © 5, Jonas Jeppesen 8, Michael Jepsen Jensen 9, Keynan Rew 9+1, Matej Zagar 7, Antti Vuolas 2+1, Jason Edwards (RS) 3+1. Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH 47: Jason Doyle 6, Danny King © 6, Adam Ellis 4+2, Tom Brennan 5+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 3+1, Dan Thompson 15, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 8. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S. Perkin

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue25
Ipswich24
Sheffield12
Leicester00
Oxford10
King’s Lynn20
Birmingham20

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches made it two wins from two away fixtures after they beat Birmingham on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Both teams were at full strength for the meeting and the visitors arrived at Perry Barr yet to taste defeat after three wins from three in all competitions. In contrast, the hosts were yet to record a victory in 2025. 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 as the Witches maintained their perfect record. Dan Thompson top scored with 15 from reserve.

Birmingham went ahead in heat one with a 4-2 as Jason Doyle was squeezed out in the first turn leaving him adrift at the back. The visitors levelled the score immediately in heat two as Thompson won and Jordan Jenkins got the better of Antti Vuolas for a point. Former Witch Keynan Rew and new Witch Tom Brennan enjoyed a good battle at the front in heat three, but it was the home rider who prevailed in a 3-3. Jenkins was an impressive winner in heat four in another shared heat, leaving it 12-12 overall.

Doyle held off a strong charge from Michael Jepsen Jensen to win heat five on the line but with Rew passing Danny King for third it was a 3-3. Ipswich went ahead in heat six as Thompson won and Emil Sayfutdinov charged past the Brummies pair to join him at the front for a maximum. Adam Ellis was excluded from heat seven after he touched the tapes, but his replacement Jenkins picked up another three points in the re-run and Brennan worked hard to claim third for a 2-4. The Witches extended their lead in heat eight as King took victory with Jenkins third for a heat advantage to give the Suffolk side a 20-28 lead.

The home team raced to a 4-2 in heat nine as Sayfutdinov retired at the back. Brennan led heat 10 but hit the deck on the third turn after coming under pressure from Jonas Jeppesen and the away rider was excluded by the referee. In the re-run, Birmingham claimed another 4-2 to narrow Ipswich’s lead to just four points. It looked set to be another 4-2 to the hosts in heat 11 but as Doyle put pressure on leader Matej Zagar late on in the race, he clipped the Slovenian’s back wheel coming down the home straight of the third lap and did remarkably well to stay on the bike as he got out of shape. However, it allowed Vuolas through for a maximum meaning the scores were level. A 3-3 followed in heat 12 making it 36-36 with three races to go.

Ipswich edged ahead in heat 13 as Doyle picked up a win and Sayfutdinov was third for a 2-4. Victory was confirmed in heat 14 as Thompson and Brennan recorded a 1-5 with the race awarded after Vuolas fell late on. Birmingham pulled a couple of points back in heat 15 as Jepsen Jensen won but Thompson raced past Rew to split the home pairing meaning a battling 43-47 win to Ipswich.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

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

“The reserves have won us the meeting which when you think of our top end is a delight for me to see. They were absolutely superb. It was another tough meeting, not quite as hard as Oxford with regards to track conditions but Birmingham really took it to us and our reserves got us over the line.

“Dan is flying, he is making brilliant starts and is so quick on track. He doesn’t look like a number six, he is riding like a heat leader at the moment, and it doesn’t look like he is pushing himself to be there, he looks comfortable. Jordan’s two wins were superb, to jump on and come in for Adam after he touched the tapes and win the race was critical at that stage of the meeting and gave us a bit of a lead. We certainly needed that lead as the meeting went on.

“Jason and Emil didn’t necessarily have the best gates, but they pulled it around in heat 13. Doyley was going well in his third ride before he clipped Zagar’s back wheel which hurt his score, so it was a tough night for them. You know what they are like though, they are going to come back on Thursday and be on top form.

“Four wins from four to start the season, three of them away from home and two of them in the league, we know how important they are. We go into the home meeting on Thursday looking for another great performance and then we travel to Leicester looking for another win.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Thompson was once again voted for by fans online as the star man after he raced to a stunning 15 points from reserve.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich put another two points on the board, making it two wins from two in league action. Birmingham are made to wait for their first points of 2025.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Oxford Spires at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 10th April 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 7th April in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Tobiasz Musielak © 8.21 2. Jonas Jeppesen 4.50 3. Michael Jepsen Jensen 7.50 4. Keynan Rew 5.67 5. Matej Zagar 7.20 6. Antti Vuolas 4.31 7. Jason Edwards (RS). Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Danny King © 6.14 3. Adam Ellis 5.47 4. Tom Brennan 6.52 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.12 6. Dan Thompson 3.11 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S. Perkin

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield12
Ipswich12
Belle Vue12
Leicester00
King’s Lynn10
Oxford10
Birmingham10

TICKET NEWS

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

LIVE COVERAGE

You can watch the meeting live on British Speedway Network here.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches hit the road again on Monday as they travel to Birmingham in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich were at Oxford on Thursday in their opening league fixture of the year as they raced to a 48-42 away win, making it three wins from three in all competitions at the start of 2025. During the victory at Oxford, five of the Witches line-up suffered crashes but the visitors are expected to be at full strength at Perry Barr despite a few battered and bruised bodies.

Ritchie Hawkins has decided to continue with the riding order that has worked so successfully at the start of the season as the Witches look to carry on their perfect start to the season. The Suffolk side failed to win either league meeting at Birmingham in 2024 but did taste success in the Knockout Cup and will be hoping to replicate that result on Monday.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“It is quite nice to have two away meetings at the start of the season, the fixture list has been quite kind to us in that sense after the difficult task we had in the Knockout Cup. The pressure is a little bit off starting with two away meetings at the start of the year and we have got a win on the board already. We will go to a place where we had mixed fortunes last year and they were a team we had difficulties against. They probably had the best record of anyone against us when they were struggling but we know we can do well there. We will go there with confidence but maybe after Oxford, expectations can be lowered a little bit. We will have to perform very well if we want another win.

“We are unbeaten so there is no need to change the riding order at the moment, it seems to be working well, and I want to give the boys some time to work with it. Danny is getting used to riding in a position he has never been in before. Going from last season and this year, Adam needs to work on his last race riding in this position and Jordan needs to work on being on gate four in heat two. They are all small areas to improve on, but it is also the first week of April and there are things we will improve on as the season goes on.”

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES

Birmingham returned to the top tier of British Speedway last season for the first time since 2014, but it did not go to plan for the Brummies who finished bottom of the pile in 2024 with just four wins to their name all season. However, they did manage to record two wins over depleted Ipswich sides at Perry Barr last year although on this occasion they face a full-strength Witches outfit. The hosts kicked off their league campaign last Thursday, but it was a night to forget as they were thumped 61-29 at Sheffield.

It has been all change over the winter with a totally new septet representing the club in 2025 as they look to turn around their fortunes. Three-time title winner Tobiasz Musielak leads the side at number one, and he is backed up by former Grand Prix regular Matej Zagar and another ex-Grand Prix rider in Michael Jepsen Jensen. There are two former Witches in the engine room in Jonas Jeppesen and Keynan Rew whilst Jason Edwards and Antti Vuolas complete the side at reserve.

LAST TIME OUT AT PERRY BARR

The Witches last travelled to Birmingham in August of 2024 as the hosts secured a 47-43 victory. Ipswich were without Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov, Adam Ellis and Keynan Rew in the fixture and although there was nothing to separate the teams after eight heats, Birmingham did enough to secure the points in the second half of the meeting.

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 | OXFORD 42-48 IPSWICH

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SCORECARD

OXFORD 42: Rohan Tungate 1+1, Erik Riss 20, Charles Wright 9+2, Peter Kildemand R/R, Maciej Janowski © 8, Francis Gusts 2, Luke Killeen (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Peter Schroeck

IPSWICH 48: Jason Doyle 11+1 (Paid Maximum), Danny King © 2, Adam Ellis 4+1, Tom Brennan 8+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 9+2, Dan Thompson 10, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: G. Allen

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield12
Ipswich12
Belle Vue12
Leicester00
King’s Lynn10
Oxford10
Birmingham10

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches recorded an away win in their opening fixture of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Thursday night at Oxford.

The visitors came into the fixture at full strength and having raced to home and away victories against Belle Vue last week to progress to the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup. Oxford meanwhile exited the cup at the quarter-final stage and were without Peter Kildemand against Ipswich due to the concussion protocol with rider replacement in operation at number four. The visitors edged ahead early on in the contest, but the score was level after eight races. However, in the second half of the meeting, Ipswich showed their strength to seal a six-point win to start the season. Jason Doyle top scored with an 11+1 paid maximum.  

It looked like being the perfect start to the night in heat one as Doyle and Danny King hit the front, but the skipper fell under pressure from Erik Riss and was excluded with a 3-3 awarded. Dan Thompson won heat two and with Jordan Jenkins third it put the away side in front. That lead was short lived though as the Spires raced to a maximum in heat three to put themselves ahead. The Suffolk side re-took the lead in heat four as Emil Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag and Jenkins held off Maciej Janowski for the maximum, making it 11-13 to Ipswich.

Doyle was a winner in heat five and although King fell, he managed to remount and collect a point for a heat advantage with Francis Gusts having retired earlier in the race. Heat six was full of passing at the front and back. Thompson led Riss but the German later hit the front whilst at the back Sayfutdinov worked hard to relegate Rohan Tungate to the back in a shared heat. There was another 3-3 in heat seven before Oxford levelled the scores in heat eight. Jenkins was excluded from the original staging of the race as he looked to avoid an out of shape Luke Killeen in front of him and in the re-run Riss was joined by Killeen for the maximum making it 24-24.

Thompson and Sayfutdinov powered to a maximum in heat nine to put the Suffolk side back in front and the points were shared in heat 10. Heat 11 was stopped after a big crash saw Doyle, Thompson and Killeen hit the fence. Thompson led the race as Killeen tried to pass Doyle down the home straight, but it all went wrong as both riders went down hard, causing Thompson to fall in the process and Killeen was excluded for his part in the incident. Doyle dusted himself down and managed to win the re-run, on Jenkins’ bike, as the away team got a heat advantage. The inspired Riss was out as a tactical substitute in heat 12 and he and Charles Wright raced to a 5-1 to get their side back into the meeting at 35-37.

Doyle and Sayfutdinov did what they do best in heat 13, hitting a maximum and the win was secured in heat 14 as Tom Brennan got his first win of the night in a Witches 2-4. Heat 15 was stopped as Sayfutdinov was the latest Witch to crash as he tried to pass Riss at the front. In the re-run Riss capped an excellent night’s work with another win in an Oxford 4-2 but it was Ipswich who celebrated the start of the league campaign with victory on the road.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

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

“A really hard-fought, tough meeting, it was a slog on the track for the boys individually dealing with track conditions. It was a slog for us on the score front, but we kept working hard and got through it in the end and managed to take two points.

“I think the track was slicker than normal due to them practicing during the day. There were a few ruts that appeared going into the first bend and it was dusty. It was a tricky night and there was an emphasis on gating when it is like that. I feel on the whole we have been very good with our starting so far this season. We have got the result, and it shows what a solid side we are, we had very few last places again. There were a lot of crashes, and I am delighted that everyone has walked away from them. There were a few bent bikes and a few issues but overall, it is a very positive start.

“It was a really big crash for Doyley, and he is wearing an air jacket this year and that made a massive difference. I’m sure he will be sore tomorrow, but it doesn’t look anything significant, the same with Emil who had a big crash in the same place. Dan took a big knock in the crash with Doyley, and it was completely out of his hands, and he suffered a bent bike. Nothing too serious for any of them but a lot of sore bodies for them.

“Doyley got a max and sometimes that can be overlooked as we kind of expect it from him. On the scoresheet the difference was at reserve. Jordan’s second ride when we got a 5-1 made a big difference in the meeting. It is nice when you have a reserve pairing that can beat opposition number ones as well as your top five. It is a rare position to be in, I can remember during the first year back in the Premiership we had two very strong reserves, and it does make a big difference and that told tonight.

“Lasty, it was nice to see Erik, who was with us for a couple of seasons, riding as good as we know he can. It was a great performance from him for Oxford.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted Doyle as the rider of the night after he was unbeaten by an opponent from four rides, scoring 11+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up their first two points of the season whilst Oxford will have to wait for their first points of the year.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to take on the Brummies on Monday 7th April in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY GUIDE | OXFORD (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Oxford to face the Spires at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Thursday 3rd April in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

OXFORD: 1. Rohan Tungate 7.71 2. Erik Riss 5.55 3. Charles Wright 6.32 4. R/R for Peter Kildemand 6.00 5. Maciej Janowski © 7.02 6. Francis Gusts 4.50 7. Luke Killeen (RS). Team Manager: Peter Schroeck

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Danny King © 6.14 3. Adam Ellis 5.47 4. Tom Brennan 6.52 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.12 6. Dan Thompson 3.11 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: G. Allen

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue12
Birmingham00
Ipswich00
Leicester00
Oxford00
Sheffield00
King’s Lynn10

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches begin their 2025 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign away at Oxford on Thursday night.

The Suffolk side started the competitive action last week with an impressive Knockout Cup quarter-final win, beating the Belle Vue Aces home and away in convincing fashion to progress to the semi-finals. Now attentions turn to the league where it is all about ensuring a top four finish come September before the end of season play-offs.

Ritchie Hawkins has stuck with the same riding order that was so successful against the Aces last time out. Ipswich enjoyed their visits to Oxford in 2024, winning on both occasions and will be eager to start the new season in positive fashion.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“We had a great start to the season last week in the cup and now we head into the league campaign where the pressure is off a bit because we have got plenty of fixtures to make sure we get into the play-offs at the end of the season. We are high on confidence from last week and want to keep that ball rolling at Oxford and we can’t wait to get going and get back together on track.

“Oxford is a place we went well at last season and obviously with the vast majority of the same team as we had in those fixtures, it is just another reason for us to go into the fixture with great confidence. We are very much focused on getting an away win on the board early.

“Oxford had a tough start to the season in the cup but now we are into league action, and they will obviously be looking to improve on those results. I’m sure they will be well aware of the tough test we will bring, and they know from last year what we are all about. They will know they will have to be on top of their game to beat us, but we are only into the second week of the season, it is very hard to predict what is going to happen, but we are looking forward to it.”

OXFORD SPIRES

The hosts returned to top-flight speedway last season for the first time since 2007 and there has been much to admire about the rebirth of the club since its closure 18 years ago. Big crowds have supported the return of the club at a professional and welcoming venue in what has been a real success story. The Spires finished fifth last season, missing out on the play-offs by eight points and will believe that with a year of experience behind them they will be better prepared for a play-off push in 2025.

Oxford have made two changes over the winter with Peter Kildemand and Francis Gusts replacing Chris Harris and Ashton Boughen. However, Kildemand will be missing from Thursday’s fixture due to the concussion protocol after he crashed out of their defeat to King’s Lynn last week with rider replacement in operation at number four.

LAST TIME OUT IN OXFORD

The Witches last travelled to Oxfordshire in July of 2024, and they came away victorious after a dramatic contest. The Suffolk side had battled back from eight points down as things were level going into heat 15 before Ipswich guest Scott Nicholls was controversially excluded after a clash with Rohan Tungate. Emil Sayfutdinov won the re-run and took the meeting to a super heat where he and Nicholls prevailed for the away side.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £23 with accompanied children under 16 going free if bought in advance. There is a £2 price increase for adult tickets purchased on the day. £2 parking will be available thanks to Unipart at their site just a short walk from the stadium (approx 800m) 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.

RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH (117) 67–23 (63) BELLE VUE

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By Rob Binns

SCORECARD

IPSWICH 67: Jason Doyle 9+2, Danny King © 7+2, Adam Ellis 11, Tom Brennan 10+2 (Paid maximum), Emil Sayfutdinov 12 (Maximum), Dan Thompson 10+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 8+2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE 23:  Brady Kurtz © 3, Norick Blödorn 2, Jaimon Lidsey 5, Zach Cook 1, Dan Bewley 7, Tate Zischke 2, Jake Mulford (RS) 3. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg:Birmingham 33-57 Leicester, King’s Lynn 53-37 Oxford, Belle Vue 40–50 Ipswich

Second Leg: Leicester 46-44 Birmingham, Oxford 37-53 King’s Lynn, Ipswich 67-23Belle Vue

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches turned on the style to progress to the semi-final of the Knockout Cup after they beat the Belle Vue Aces on Thursday night at Foxhall.

Having been defeated by the Sheffield Tigers in the final last year, the Witches are determined to go one step further and win the competition for a second time in three years. They held a 10-point advantage from the first leg and maintained their superb form from Monday to grow the aggregate lead to 26 points after heat seven. Ipswich showed absolutely no signs of easing off in the second half of the meeting and cruised to a 67-23 victory on the night with another superb team performance with every rider scoring at least paid nine. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with a 12-point maximum while Tom Brennan also wasn’t beaten by an opposition rider on his full Foxhall debut.

Ipswich opening pair Jason Doyle and Danny King got off to a flying start with the skipper taking the chequered flag and the Australian close behind for a 5-1 in heat one. Dan Thompson cruised to victory in heat two with Jordan Jenkins rounding Tate Zischke on the first lap for a heat advantage. Brennan then marked his full home debut with a win in heat three with Adam Ellis in third for another 4-2. Sayfutdinov opened his night with a win in heat four with Jenkins superbly holding off the challenge from Dan Bewley to secure a maximum and take the score on the night to 18-6.

Ellis and Brennan rode to another maximum in heat five before Belle Vue earned their first and only positive result of the evening in heat six as Doyle split Bewley and Zischke. Sayfutdinov and Thompson hit straight back in heat seven with Jaimon Lidsey passing the Ipswich reserve up the inside of the back straight to limit the damage to a 4-2. Jenkins took the win in heat eight with King battling with Jake Mulford on the line for second with a photo finish confirming another Witches maximum that put the hosts 34-14 in front.

Zischke slid into the air fence on the fourth bend in heat nine but was quickly back on the bike to avoid a re-run as Bewley split the Witches in a 4-2 to the hosts which mathematically secured Ipswich’s place in the semi-final. Doyle and King raced to their second maximum of the meeting in heat 10 which made sure of the victory on the night. Sayfutdinov earned his third win in heat 11 with Thompson in third for a heat advantage making the score 47-19 at the interval.

Ellis cruised to victory in heat 12 with Jenkins again defending superbly, this time from Zischke, to earn the sixth Ipswich 5-1 of the night. A seventh quickly followed as Doyle led from the gate in heat 13 with Sayfutdinov brilliantly passing both Aces in one move on the second bend and eventually overtook his teammate for the win and his maximum. Thompson and Brennan then made it three consecutive maximums in heat 14 which secured the new signing a paid maximum. Ellis and Thompson were selected by Ritchie Hawkins for heat 15 and rounded off the meeting in style with a ninth 5-1 which made the final score 67-23 on the night and 117-63 on aggregate.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win over Belle Vue and reaching the Knockout Cup semi-final.

“It couldn’t have gone any better, superb over both meetings this week. We’ve started the season super strong. We’ve set ourselves big expectations for the whole season now and big targets. There’s still improvement to be had in certain areas but overall, for a start to the season, it’s great!

“Belle Vue are the champions, and we know they’ve started the season slowly in other years and gone on to end the year as the champions. We managed to take advantage of that which pays testament to our preparation and our determination to get through straight from the off. The boys have put a lot of work in, and they weren’t rusty coming into the season. They’re a very gelled unit already from how much time we’ve rode together so that’s obviously given us a bonus going forward.

“Everybody has scored well and contributed, won races and what a delight to not say that we’re winning meetings, but a couple of riders are struggling a little bit. Every rider has more than done their part which makes my life very easy and long may that continue!

“Emil’s (Sayfutdinov) back and a maximum shows he’s looking as good as ever. Tom (Brennan) gets paid maximum on his official home debut for us, that’s going to be great for him going forward into the season. Jason (Doyle) was superb again on his first meeting back here. Obviously, Dan Thompson was superb, putting him in heat 15 I felt it was a race he could go and win because he looked that quick all night and he had the toughest gate but produced a superb first bend. Jordan’s progress from this time last year goes to show tonight, he had a tough first race but then didn’t drop a point in the next three. All of them 1-7 I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

Sayfutdinov and Thompson were voted by fans online as the joint riders of the night. Sayfutdinov won all four of his races whilst Thompson hit 10+1 from reserve which earnt him a spot in heat 15.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich progress to the semi-final of the Knockout Cup as they continue their bid to regain the title. Meanwhile, Belle Vue are eliminated at the first hurdle in the Knockout Cup for a third year in a row.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Oxford to take on the Spires on Thursday 3rd April in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets must be purchased in advance here.

DOYLE’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT IPSWICH

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By Rob Binns

Jason Doyle is excited to be back in Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches kevlars after missing the majority of last season through injury.

The 2017 World Champion snapped two tendons in his left shoulder and tore his rotator cuff following a crash at King’s Lynn back in May, but he returns for his fourth year with the Witches and no longer feels in pain on the bike.

He said: “I had only done a couple of meetings for Ipswich last year, so it was a no-brainer to be back again. I feel like we’ve got a thing we need to finish off and that is to win the title.

“It’s been a long 10 months, but I think I did it the right way by holding off and not coming back on the bike too soon, I also chose not to ride in Australia to have that little bit of extra time to be 100% fit. The last meetings I’ve done already have felt alright, no pain and I can ride the bike again.

“We started at the start of March so have had pretty much three weeks [on the bike]. We’ve had a lot of practice, a lot of test matches and there’s a few meetings we have to do before the start of the year so we’re looking forward to it.”

The Witches number one was still a regular face in the pits last season offering assistance where he could despite not being able to ride himself, but he admits watching on from the sidelines was a struggle.

“For me, it was very difficult to be in that role, I couldn’t get to as many meetings as I wished. I had to do a fair bit of physio but also, I was away a lot trying to sort some other things out with the injuries. To be part of the team on the outside of the track was difficult to be turning up there and not doing what my normal job would be.”

Doyle’s return is a big boost to Ipswich’s league title chances and the Australian believes the team is more than capable of achieving the ultimate goal.

He said: “The team we have this year if everyone is fit and healthy by the end of the year that will be a big chance for us to win the title. We’re coming in as favourites, the team that Chris (Louis) has put together is amazing. To bring Tom (Brennan) in is a massive bonus for us guys, we saw him when he guested for us last year and he did an amazing job. He wants to win like us boys do and that’s the right mindset to be champions.

“The team we’ve had for the last few years everyone knows their job. We don’t speak a lot in the pits when we’re racing because we already know what we have to do. It’s a job for us but as long as we can have some fun that plays a role in winning the title also. You’ve got the likes of Adam (Ellis) who comes in and cheers everyone up, he’s one of the characters in the team that everyone thrives off having a good time with. There are different aspects besides just turning up and racing and this team has it all.”

Doyle has been given a wildcard for the 2025 Speedway Grand Prix series but is keeping his cards close to his chest about his ambitions for the year.

He said: “There are no real goals that I’d say out loud. I know what I want to be, and I know what I’ve got to do. To win last year’s Warsaw Grand Prix was a thing that’s been sitting in my mind which made me realise that I still can do it, and we’ve got the right engines and equipment this year so hopefully we can again.”

RACEDAY GUIDE | BELLE VUE (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 27th March in a Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Danny King © 6.14 3. Adam Ellis 5.47 4. Tom Brennan 6.52 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.12 6. Dan Thompson 3.11 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE: 1. Brady Kurtz © 9.18 2. Norick Blödorn 5.40 3. Jaimon Lidsey 6.58 4. Zach Cook 5.57 5. Dan Bewley 8.52 6. Tate Zischke 4.57 7. Jake Mulford (RS). Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS: Leicester (57) v (33) Birmingham, Oxford (37) v (53) King’s Lynn, Ipswich (50) v (40) Belle Vue.

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 race their first fixture at Foxhall in 2025 as they welcome the Belle Vue Aces to Suffolk on Thursday night for the second leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie.

The two sides met on Monday in Manchester in the first leg with Ipswich storming to an impressive 50-40 win, their first ever victory at the National Speedway Stadium. That performance puts the Witches in control of the tie and heavy favourites to progress to the semi-final, but team manager Ritchie Hawkins knows his side must remain focused to finish off the job.

It is the same line-up and riding order for the home team as it was in the first leg with Tom Brennan making his full home debut in Ipswich colours following his winter move to the club.

An early Knockout Cup tie to start the season against the league champions was as tough an opening as it could have got but having won the away leg, Ipswich will be determined to seal their spot in the semi-finals in front of their home supporters, as they look to regain the trophy they won in 2023.  

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“We are really looking forward to getting back to Foxhall. We had a great couple of days last week practicing and catching up with everyone again. Now it is time for the real business to start. The track was awesome last week, and you can really see the effort, Bob (Ellis) and Chris (Louis) and all the track staff have put in over the winter to improve it. I’m sure it will provide a great racetrack, and we have got some great racers here on Thursday.

“It is Tom’s home debut but obviously he has guested for us before and put in some great performances over the last few years. I know he is very excited to be part of the Witches and I’m sure it won’t take him long to settle in as he knows the place really well.

“Opening nights can be tricky and it is always nice to get an away meeting in first which we have done. We navigated that in superb fashion and whilst we come into the meeting very confident of progressing to the next round, we also know that Belle Vue are the league champions and are a strong side. They will be coming determined to return the favour and we will need to be on top of our game to progress.”

BELLE VUE ACES

Opening night for the league champions did not go as planned for the Aces. Belle Vue were formidable on home shale in 2024, losing just once all season. So, that defeat on Monday to an Ipswich side that had never previously won at the National Speedway Stadium will have hurt. The visitors will be determined to stay in the Knockout Cup having exited the competition at the first hurdle in the last two campaigns but know they have a mountain to climb to overturn the 10-point deficit.

Belle Vue line up the same as they did on Monday and are hopeful Norick Blödorn is fit enough to take his place in the side after withdrawing from the first leg following a crash in his third ride. The away team field two Grand Prix riders in their ranks, with captain Brady Kurtz at one and Dan Bewley at number five.  

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

The Witches last faced the Aces at Foxhall in August of 2024, and it was the Aces who ran out 41-49 winners on the night against the depleted hosts. Ipswich were without Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Adam Ellis and then found themselves without Keynan Rew after an early crash. The five-man Witches battled hard with guest Scott Nicholls scoring 15+1 but the visitors took the points with Bewley top scoring with 11+1.