Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 57–33 PETERBOROUGH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 57: Jason Doyle 11+1 (Paid maximum), Erik Riss R/R, Danny King © 17, Keynan Rew 12+3 (Paid maximum), Emil Sayfutdinov 12+2, Danyon Hume 4+1, Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

PETERBOROUGH 33: Frederik Jakobsen (g) 5, Hans Andersen © 2+2, Benjamin Basso 5. Richie Worrall 6, Niels-Kristian Iversen 6, Ben Cook 6+2, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 3 (Withdrawn). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

REFEREE: B. Horley

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Wolverhampton 46-20 Belle Vue.

First Leg: Ipswich 48-42 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 43-47 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 58-32 King’s Lynn. Second Leg: King’s Lynn 34-56 Sheffield

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Ipswich 57-33 Peterborough

Sheffield v TBC

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches raced to a convincing win over Peterborough on Thursday night at Foxhall in the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final tie.

The Suffolk side were without Erik Riss once again after the German failed a late fitness test with rider replacement in operation at number two. Meanwhile, the Panthers made a late guest booking, bringing in Frederik Jakobsen at number one for Nicki Pedersen. Ipswich built a six-point lead after eight heats, but it was in the second half of the meeting where they began to dominate as they pulled away for a 24-point win and a healthy advantage to take to the East of England Arena for the second leg. Danny King top scored with 17 points.

Doyle won heat one at a canter as the points were shared before the away side edged in front in heat two as Jordan Jenkins held off Danyon Hume to win and Ben Cook picked up a point for a 2-4. Skipper King won heat three from the gate and it was a great ride from Keynan Rew as he swooped round Richie Worrall to join his partner for a 5-1. Heat four was awarded as a heat advantage to the hosts with Emil Sayfutdinov clear in front and Niels-Kristian Iversen second but the race was stopped with Jenkins falling late on in the race whilst trying to get past Joe Thompson for a point. That left the home team 14-10 to the good after the early exchanges.

King and Rew combined for another maximum in heat five to stretch the lead. Doyle won heat six by some distance and despite challenging Iversen for second early on, Hume was passed at the end of the second lap by Cook for third resulting in a 3-3. Worrall produced a fine ride in heat seven for the visitors as he held off Sayfutdinov for the win with his partner Benjamin Basso third for a 2-4 to the Panthers. Jenkins was withdrawn from the meeting for the Panthers after his earlier crash, leaving the away side a man down for the rest of the evening. Rew continued his excellent night by winning heat eight as the points were shared, leaving Ipswich 27-21 up.

King and Rew were at it again in heat nine as they stormed to a 5-1 to extend the lead to 10 points. King was back out in heat 11 and he made it four wins from four, but all the action was behind him as Doyle was squeezed out on the opening lap leaving him at the back. However, the Australian went up the inside of Worrall first before setting his sights on Basso and rounding the Dane to join the captain for another maximum to the Witches. The onslaught continued in heat 11 as Sayfutdinov and Hume raced to a comfortable 5-1. King and Basso were neck and neck on the opening lap of heat 12 but it was the visiting rider who won the battle and with Cook third they stopped the run of maximums to claim a heat advantage. With three races left to race, it was the Witches with a commanding 44-28 lead.

Doyle won heat 13 and it didn’t take Sayfutdinov long to join him at the front as he blasted round Jakobsen at the end of the opening lap for a 5-1 to the hosts. Heat 14 was stopped as Hume hit the deck on the third bend of the opening lap and was excluded from the race. The re-run was a superb race as Worrall took the lead ahead of Rew but the Australian chased the Panthers man all race before going wide and cutting back to pass him on the final lap to complete a paid maximum from five rides. The night ended in style as King and Sayfutdinov posted another 5-1 in heat 15 on a night that saw the Witches take a big step towards the Knockout Cup final.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win over Peterborough.

“It was a great performance and we have built a very good lead, but I was just happy with the improvement shown in the side. We are carrying on that improvement every meeting and it was nice to see. It was a very good meeting with lots of good racing and a good all round team performance and I am very happy.

“Everybody is delighted to see Keynan ride like that and get his first paid maximum, it was brilliant to see. It was probably Danny’s best meeting around here for a little while as well. The top four dropped two points between them, so nobody will be able to compete with that.

“Going to Peterborough we will go there looking to win a meeting but obviously we have a big lead, and it is one that you wouldn’t expect us to throw away. We have to make sure we are focused enough not to throw it away and make ourselves look silly.

“Erik is still recovering; he had a procedure on Monday and the doctors felt that it would have him fit for tonight but unfortunately, he is still under the weather. It is not worth risking him for tonight, we have a week off next week which gives him more time and the plan would be that he will be back at Wolves.

“With the weather, it was probably the worst crowd I have ever seen for a meeting against Peterborough but thank you to those that did brave it and attend, and I think we put on a great show for you. I’m sure everyone who did come was pleased they did. All credit to the track staff and Bob (Ellis) for the work they put in today to get the meeting on and provide a great racetrack, they did a superb job.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Rew had his best night in Ipswich colours so far and flew to an impressive paid maximum from five rides, showing just how much improvement he is making in the early stages of his British career.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich take a 24-point lead into the second leg of this Knockout Cup semi-final against Peterborough. A date for the second leg is still to be confirmed.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Wolverhampton on Monday 22nd May to take on the Wolves at the Ladbroke Stadium in the Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture with Peterborough.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Peterborough Panthers at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 11th May in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.15 2. R/R for Erik Riss 6.14 3. Danny King 6.71 © 4. Keynan Rew 5.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.93 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

PETERBOROUGH: 1. Frederik Jakobsen (g) 8.61 2. Hans Andersen 5.19 © 3. Benjamin Basso 6.61 4. Richie Worrall 6.27 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 6.97 6. Ben Cook 4.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

REFEREE: B. Horley

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

Wolverhampton 46-20 Belle Vue – First Leg

First Leg: Ipswich 48-42 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 43-47 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 58-32 King’s Lynn. Second Leg: King’s Lynn 34-56 Sheffield

SEMI-FINALS

Peterborough v Ipswich

Sheffield v TBC

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £22 for adults and £20 for concessions (65+). Children 16 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 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. Season Tickets are not valid for this fixture. However, you will still be able to purchase your admission ticket for this event at the Season Ticket gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Peterborough Panthers in the first leg of their Knockout Cup clash on Thursday at Foxhall. The two sides were due to meet at the East of England Arena on Monday, but the meeting was postponed due to the bad weather forecast with Thursday’s tie now becoming the first leg. The Suffolk side will be keen to get back on track after suffering two postponements on the trot and will be looking to continue their strong run of form having won their last three outings.

The hosts were hoping to field their full team for the first time since their 48-42 win over Leicester at Foxhall at the start of April. Erik Riss has been absent with illness since then but with his health having improved over the last week, he had been deemed fit enough to take his place in the side. However, on raceday the German failed a a late fitness test and rider replacement will be used at number two. With a place in the final up for grabs, the Witches will be determined to take a lead into the second leg and put themselves in a strong position to progress.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“We were hopeful of running our full one to seven for the first time in what seems like a long time already this season. Erik’s health is improving, and we are getting to the bottom of his problems it seems, so as it stands, we are hoping to have him back in the side soon.

“It is a chance to make another cup final, so we have got to concentrate on these two meetings before we look ahead to the possibility of winning the competition. We have got to be fully focused on getting past Peterborough because I feel it is going to be a tough test and I wouldn’t be duped into thinking it’s not because they have had a tough start to the season. They are still a capable team and will look forward to coming to Foxhall, so we need to be fully focused on this semi-final.

“We need to carry on the progress we have made, and it has been a big shame we have not been out in the last week with two postponements because I feel we are building some momentum as a side, and it would have been nice to keep on track. We need to show the same determination as we did against King’s Lynn.”

THE PANTHERS

Peterborough’s 2023 has begun in the same fashion as how their 2022 went, with the Panthers enduring a miserable start to the new campaign. The visitors are without a win this season with five defeats from five outings in the Premiership and Rob Lyon will be hoping the Knockout Cup can kick-start their season. The Panthers will take confidence from their performances at Foxhall last year where they tasted victory once in the League Cup and took the Witches to a Super Heat which they ultimately lost. In their other visit to Foxhall, they narrowly lost a last-heat decider and despite their poor start to the new season they pose a real threat to the Witches.

The Panthers have been without a number one since the first heat of the season after Nicki Pedersen crashed and subsequently left the club. Frederik Jakobsen has been booked as a late guest at number one for this fixture.

PETERBOROUGH V IPSWICH – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Knockout Cup fixture against Peterborough on Monday 8th May has been postponed due to the bad weather forecast with a decision made on Sunday.

A statement on the Peterborough Panthers’ website read as below.

“PETERBOROUGH’S home KO Cup clash with Ipswich on Bank Holiday Monday has become an early victim of the weather.

“The Panthers have taken an early decision to postpone the meeting in view of an atrocious forecast for Monday, which shows rain starting in late morning and continuing throughout the day and evening, with heavy periods expected.

“It was decided that this was the best course of action in order to prevent inconvenience and unnecessary travel for riders, supporters and officials.

“A new date for the meeting is to be confirmed, and the match at Ipswich on Thursday (May 11) now becomes the first leg.”

RACEDAY PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture with Peterborough.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Peterborough to face the Panthers at the East of England Arena & Events Centre on Monday 8th May in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

PETERBOROUGH: 1. Max Fricke (g) 8.61 2. Hans Andersen 5.19 © 3. Benjamin Basso 6.61 4. Richie Worrall 6.27 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 6.97 6. Ben Cook 4.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.15 2. Erik Riss or R/R 6.14 3. Danny King 6.71 © 4. Keynan Rew 5.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.93 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S.H. Kennett

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

Wolverhampton 46-20 Belle Vue – First Leg

First Leg: Ipswich 48-42 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 43-47 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 58-32 King’s Lynn. Second Leg: King’s Lynn 34-56 Sheffield

SEMI-FINALS

Peterborough v Ipswich

Sheffield v TBC

TICKETS

Tickets are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Peterborough on Monday for the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final. Ipswich beat Leicester in the quarter-final to book their place in the final four whilst the Panthers received a bye into the semi-final. The Suffolk side arrive at the East of England Arena in good form having won three on the bounce and they have already tasted success at Peterborough this season after that opening night victory in Cambridgeshire in the Premiership.

The visitors are hopeful of welcoming back Erik Riss to the side on Monday. The German has been absent for the last four meetings with a virus but has shown signs of improvement recently and could return to the team. Should he fail to recover in time, rider replacement will be used at number two.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“We are in good form, and we are confident going into this tie. We will treat it as a two-legged tie, but we want to go there and perform and win the meeting. They have got a good team and have a team that performs very well at Foxhall, so we can’t rely on the home meeting. We need to perform at the Showground. For someone like Keynan he has already been there this season, and this is his second visit, and he is looking forward to it as he rode well there but it was his first time there. A couple of the boys having experience there now should help us.

“Erik has shown some improvement this past week, so there is a possibility he will be back on Monday but we are playing it day by day and I am fully prepared to be running rider replacement again but there is a slight chance he could be back for Monday.

“We have got to go into this meeting looking to win. Yes, they have had a tough start to the season but that doesn’t make it an easy task. They have a very good guest at number one in Max Fricke, obviously they lost Nicki very early on in the season in the first race and they have brought int the best guest they could do. They are focused on winning and getting to the cup final, so we need to be on our game like we have and show the same determination as we did last week against King’s Lynn.”

THE PANTHERS

Peterborough’s 2023 has begun in the same fashion as how their 2022 went, with the Panthers enduring a miserable start to the new campaign. The hosts are without a win this season with five defeats from five outings in the Premiership and Rob Lyon will be hoping the Knockout Cup can kick-start their season. As well as being defeated by the Witches on home shale they were also thrashed by Belle Vue in front of their home supporters last time out.

The Panthers have been without a number one since the first heat of the season after Nicki Pedersen crashed and subsequently left the club. However, they have booked Grand Prix rider Max Fricke to guest at number one on Monday, giving them some much-needed fire power at the top end.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions (over 65), disabled and students £20, children (5-16) £5 and children under the age of 5 go free. Official programmes cost £3 with car parking priced at £1. Facilities include a 2200 capacity grandstand, grass banking on the back straight, fast food outlets on the grandstand side of the track and a licensed bar. For travel information head here.

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

KING: IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET BACK INTO A CUP FINAL

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches skipper, Danny King, says he wants to help fire the Foxhall side into the Knockout Cup final.

The Witches race Peterborough Panthers in a two-legged semi-final next week – at Peterborough on Monday ­– with the return at Foxhall on Thursday.

Both sides will see it as a real opportunity to reach a major final, with Danny confident in the Witches’ chances.

“We’re in good form,” Danny, who has held the track record at both tracks, said.

“It’s a good draw for me on a personal note, as I like the track, and for us as a team. It’s not quite the same Peterborough track it used to be. But it’s still good fun and I’m looking forward to notching up some points and coming away with a win.”

Ipswich have already won at the East of England Arena in 2023, on opening night for both clubs back in March. It was a six-point victory then for the Witches, after the Panthers lost Nicki Pedersen in a heat one crash.

And going back further to 2017, the Witches narrowly lost to the Panthers in the Knockout Cup final when King crashed out of a second leg Ipswich were beginning to take control of.

“Yes, I remember that. We lost by just four points at Peterborough and had almost clawed them all back, before I crashed out.,” Danny said.

Indeed, that night, with the Witches skipper only able to watch the conclusion of the meeting from the pits, the Panthers went onto to claim a 45-45 draw in the second leg, as Ipswich cruelly missed out.

“It would be nice to get back into a cup final,” Danny said. “The way we are riding we are more than capable. It would be a nice thing to look forward to.”

In a season where Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov continue to make the headlines with maximums and top scores for the Witches, King’s contribution so far in 2023 has been more than significant, with a succession of paid double-figure returns.

Danny admits to being pleased with his start to the campaign.

“It’s all going good, although I was a bit disappointed the way my meeting ended up against Lynn on Monday,” he said.

“But I’m feeling happy, feeling confident. I expect a lot of myself and sometimes I’m my own worst critic. I’m a bit hard on myself because I always think I can do more. But I can’t complain now, the way things are going.

“We’re very fortunate as a team Chris Louis has done what he’s done and built it the way he has, with Jason and Emil, two world class riders.

“The quality of those two guys is amazing. I’m in awe at watching them, so I’m learning a lot off them and I’m enjoying riding with them.

“My gating is good; the motors are going well. It’s nice and I’m looking forward to keeping going. We have a nice run of fixtures coming up and I’m looking forward to all of them.”

Knockout Cup semi-final

First leg: Panthers v Witches, Monday, May 8, 7.30pm

Second leg: Witches v Panthers, Thursday, May 11, 7.30pm.

KING’S LYNN V IPSWICH – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Premiership fixture against King’s Lynn on Thursday 4th May has been postponed.

We apologise to our supporters who had made plans to travel and support the team but the matter is out of our control as a club and we can make no further comment at this stage.

The reason for the postponement is as described below, taken from the Stars’ official website.

“Unfortunately we have just been informed that due to significant damage to the stock car fence, which includes our pit gate, we will be unable to safely run the speedway event on Thursday evening.

“It was hoped replacement parts for the pit gate fence would be with us after several massive hits from Bank Holiday Monday’s stock car event. However, these parts will now not be with us until Friday morning.

“Norfolk Arena Limited are disappointed to have to postpone the meeting against Ipswich, but with rider and public safety always the most important thing, we have had no option but to inform the speedway promotion of the situation.

“A new date will be released as soon as possible.”

PREMIERSHIP PAIRS FORMAT CHANGE

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British Speedway can confirm the 2023 Premiership Pairs will now take place as a one-off Major Event.

The meeting, featuring all seven clubs in the top-flight, will be staged at Leicester on Thursday June 29 (7.30pm).

A three-round series was due to begin at Wolverhampton on May 15, but the decision has been taken in order to alleviate fixture congestion following a spate of postponements in the early weeks of the season.

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “It’s been a difficult decision, but I feel it’s the right one to protect the integrity of the league and to ensure we remain on schedule to complete the regular Premiership league programme.

“We have suffered badly in the opening seven weeks of the season with more rain-offs than would normally be expected, and whilst we would expect the weather to improve there are already clubs with limited dates for re-arrangements before the end of August.

“This move frees up the dates of May 15 and August 3 for league matches to be re-arranged, whilst also maintaining the Pairs competition where we’ll be expecting clubs to field their strongest possible line-up.

“Leicester is a central venue and easily accessible, and I felt this was the right option to maximise attendance at a one-off meeting.

“The Pairs should be a great event with 23 races on the night, and I feel making this switch is a proactive move because it was already becoming clear there could be problems with fixtures further down the line.”

RACEDAY PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN – PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Premiership R1 fixture with King’s Lynn.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to face the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday 4th May in a Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

KING’S LYNN: 1. Nicolai Klindt 7.00 © 2. Thomas Jorgensen 6.34 3. Frederik Jakobsen 6.76 4. Krzysztof Kasprzak 6.86 5. Michael Palm Toft 6.78 6. Guest TBC (g) 5.92 7. Jason Edwards (RS). Team Manager: Alex Brady

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.15 2. R/R for Keynan Rew 5.00 3. Danny King 6.71 © 4. Kyle Howarth (g) 6.14 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.93 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Gay

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue712
Ipswich46
Wolverhampton35
Sheffield35
Leicester33
King’s Lynn32
Peterborough50

TICKETS

Tickets are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches make the short journey to Norfolk on Thursday as they face the King’s Lynn Stars in the Premiership. The two sides met on Monday, and it was a dominant performance from the Suffolk side who ran out 52-38 winners in front of a big bank holiday crowd at Foxhall. Ritchie Hawkins’ side head to the Adrian Flux Arena looking to win the fixture and as a minimum will be looking to claim the aggregate bonus point with the 14-point lead they have built on home shale.

The visitors are without two riders on Thursday meaning the six riders wearing the Witch will have to be firing to achieve the objective. Erik Riss is still absent through illness with Sheffield’s Kyle Howarth guesting in his place at number four. The Witches will also be without Keynan Rew who has to ride for his Polish club in a re-arranged fixture due to a rain-off, rider replacement will be in operation at number two.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“The bonus point hasn’t been in my mind at all this week. We are targeting five points, but we go to King’s Lynn missing two riders, that makes it tough. King’s Lynn are a side where you don’t really know what you are going to get with some of their riders. If they click, they are going to be good, a lot better than their performance there last week. I am sure they are going to want to put that right. We are going to need to fire as six riders again, but we are going there looking to win.

“Keynan has been forced to ride in Poland so we will have rider replacement for him, and Kyle Howarth is guesting for Erik. Nothing much has changed with Erik so far; he is no better than he was. He has done everything he can really, he has seen every doctor and done everything in his power to get fit, but it is a waiting game. Even the doctors are saying it will be time and you will be better when you are better.

“We always get great support coming with us, we have had it everywhere we have been this year so far. We have sent them home happy both times on the road so far. Wins away at King’s Lynn are probably one of the highlights of the season for us and have been over the last few years. We need to get that feeling again as it is a great feeling driving away from there with a win and that is what we want on Thursday.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn were hoping that 2023 would be a new chapter for the club where they could forget last year’s disappointing campaign. However, it has been a rocky start to the new season for the Stars who have been well beaten in four of their five outings so far including a heavy home defeat last time out at the Adrian Flux Arena against Sheffield as they exited the Knockout Cup. The Norfolk side currently sit sixth in the early Premiership table but will be keen to start winning meetings and prove they are capable of challenging for the top four, starting with a clash against Ipswich on Thursday.

The hosts are without the injured Josh Pickering on Thursday and are yet to confirm who will be guesting in his absence again at number six. Nicolai Klindt is listed as their number one and captain for Thursday although on his official Facebook page, the Dane suggested he is riding for his Polish club Gdansk that evening, the same club as Rew will be representing. Should we be informed of the guest at reserve or any other changes before race night, we will of course keep you updated.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions (over 65), disabled and students £20 and children (under 16) go free. Official programmes cost £3. Facilities include free floodlit parking, seated grandstand, covered standing grandstand, restaurant, fully stocked bar and function room, four licenced bar outlets, merchandise stands, toilets and a first aid room. For travel information headhere.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 52–38 KING’S LYNN – PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSOR

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THE SCORES

IPSWICH 52: Jason Doyle 11+1 (Paid maximum), Erik Riss R/R, Danny King © 10+1, Keynan Rew 7+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 15 (Maximum), Danyon Hume 8+3, Joe Thompson (RS) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN 38: Nicolai Klindt © 8, Thomas Jorgensen 5+1, Frederik Jakobsen 7+2, Krzysztof Kasprzak 2+1, Michael Palm Toft 5, Kyle Howarth (g) 7+1, Jason Edwards (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Alex Brady

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue712
Ipswich46
Wolverhampton35
Sheffield35
Leicester33
King’s Lynn32
Peterborough50

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches eased to victory over East Anglian rivals King’s Lynn on Monday afternoon at Foxhall in the Premiership.

The Suffolk were still using rider replacement for the unwell Erik Riss whilst the Stars were missing Josh Pickering due to injury with Kyle Howarth guesting in his place. The home side started the meeting in fine form and built a 12-point lead after just four races and the result was never in doubt from that moment on. Emil Sayfutdinov went through the card and recorded a superb 15-point maximum.

Jason Doyle took a tumble after a tight opening turn of heat one with all four called back for the re-run. Doyle picked himself up to win the race with partner Danyon Hume following him home for a 5-1 to the hosts. Three riders hit the deck in heat two after another tightly contested first turn but this time Howarth was adjudged to be the cause and was excluded from the race. Hume won the re-run with Joe Thompson collecting a point for a heat advantage to the Witches. Danny King won heat three as the home team recorded another 4-2 with Keynan Rew third. Sayfutdinov and Hume combined for a maximum in heat four, leaving Ipswich 12 points to the good after the opening exchanges.

The Stars got their first heat advantage of the afternoon in heat five as Nicolai Klindt beat King to the chequered flag. Heat six was a terrific watch for the bank holiday crowd at Foxhall as the King’s Lynn pair led the race but Doyle had other ideas and first picked off Howarth to get into second before passing Michael Palm Toft for the race win. Sayfutdinov won heat seven with ease and it looked like being a 4-2 to the Witches but Hume seemed to have bike issues on the final lap whilst in third, meaning it ended in a 3-3. King won a shared heat eight meaning the Witches were still in total control and 10 points in front.

Frederik Jakobsen was deployed as a tactical substitute for the visitors in heat nine and whilst his partner Palm Toft won the race, Jakobsen made no impact at the back. Jakobsen was back out in heat 10 but didn’t last long as he fell on the first turn and was excluded. Doyle won the re-run at a canter and Rew took advantage of Krzysztof Kasprzak’s bike troubles to get into second for a 5-1 to Ipswich. Sayfutdinov roared to victory in a shared heat 11 and King’s Lynn hit their first maximum of the afternoon in heat 12 as Howarth won and Jakobsen passed King to join his partner at the front, but the Norfolk outfit still found themselves 10 points down.

Doyle made the gate in heat 13 and his partner Sayfutdinov produced a superb opening lap to round everyone and take the win in style for another 5-1 to the Witches. Howarth was pushed hard by Rew in heat 14 as the points were shared. With Doyle suffering with a sore shoulder after his heat one crash Sayfutdinov and King went out in heat 15 and looked like they would end the afternoon with another maximum, but King couldn’t hold off the Stars pair of Klindt and Jakobsen which resulted in a 3-3 to end the tie. Sayfutdinov took the applause of the home crowd after his immaculate performance as the Foxhall faithful celebrated a comfortable victory over their East Anglian rivals.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win over King’s Lynn.

“The track was tricky again today, but we started really well, and I was really pleased with us. We looked the determined team and that is what I want to see. I am very happy with the win but for me it is not even quite half the job done as we need to win on Thursday.

 “The top end were terrific again. Doyley went down hard in heat one and hurt his shoulder a little bit, but we know what we get with him, he got straight back on it, it doesn’t faze him. Emil’s first maximum was brilliant, it was a great performance from him. Danny started the meeting so well as well and you are kind of winning every race. Danyon was brilliant as well, so the start of the meeting was great, winning every race.

“Keynan gets better during the meeting, I think that is maybe a bit of confidence just at the start of the meeting, he takes a couple of rides to get warmed up. If we can get him going right from his first heat like he rides at the end of the meeting, then he is going to be scoring a lot of points. It was another good all round team performance, I was happy with everyone.

“We keep dealing with the rain every week, but it managed to stay away after the first couple of heats. It was a brilliant crowd, and we were well supported again. After the weekend the town has had we certainly couldn’t let them down today!”

RN EUSTON RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Sayfutdinov’s 15-point maximum made this an easy choice for the meeting sponsors!

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up two points and move up to second in the Premiership table whilst King’s Lynn stay sixth.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn on Thursday 4th May to take on the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena in the Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN – PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Premiership R1 fixture with King’s Lynn.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 1st May in a Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 2.30pm.

MEETING SPONSOR

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

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.15 2. R/R for Erik Riss 6.14 3. Danny King 6.71 © 4. Keynan Rew 5.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.93 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN: 1. Nicolai Klindt 7.00 © 2. Thomas Jorgensen 6.34 3. Frederik Jakobsen 6.76 4. Krzysztof Kasprzak 6.86 5. Michael Palm Toft 6.78 6. Lewis Kerr (g) 5.92 7. Jason Edwards (RS). Team Manager: Alex Brady

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue69
Sheffield35
Ipswich34
Wolverhampton23
Leicester23
King’s Lynn22
Peterborough40

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 2pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £22 for adults and £20 for concessions (65+). Children 16 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 1.40pm.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches face East Anglian rivals King’s Lynn in the Premiership on Monday afternoon at Foxhall. The Witches were victorious last time out in Suffolk against the Sheffield Tigers and will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions against the Stars. The two sides will meet again in Norfolk on Thursday and with the aggregate bonus point up for grabs over the two meetings, Ritchie Hawkins’ side will be keen to record a healthy win on home shale.

The home side are still not at full strength with Erik Riss missing from the side. The German is yet to recover from a virus with rider replacement continuing to be used at number two. Riss raced in Germany recently but admitted it was too soon to return and doctors are unable to put a timescale on when he will be fit enough to race again. The Ipswich management have been assessing their options with rider replacement not a viable long-term option but are giving Riss as much time as possible to return.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Bank Holiday speedway at Ipswich always brings in a big crowd and it certainly will be against our local rivals King’s Lynn. I’m excited and looking forward to it. We go into it with confidence, and everyone will be well aware of the importance of winning the meeting for local pride and our play-off push. King’s Lynn have had some good results at Foxhall in previous seasons as well and have caused a shock against us and we need to make sure we don’t let that happen. We need to perform, we don’t want to be dropping points to King’s Lynn, that would put an early dent in our play-off aspirations.

“It always changes the track slightly when we have afternoon meetings, and it has maybe caught us out in the past. The level we are at now, we have a lot of experience in our side that have raced Bank Holiday meetings at Ipswich before to be able to explain to the boys what it is going to be like if it is slightly different to normal. We should now have the experience at the top end to cope with that, but we will need to be on top of our game and work very well as a unit again to combat that and take full advantage of racing at our home track.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn had a season to forget in 2022 and never threatened to be in the race for the top four. The 2023 campaign hasn’t started how the Stars would have hoped either as they exited the Knockout Cup at the first hurdle after heavy home and away defeats to Sheffield. In the Premiership they tasted success at home to Wolverhampton but were heavily beaten when they visited the Wolves. The Norfolk outfit will be determined to put in an improved performance at Foxhall in the derby and quieten some of the early season doubters.

Five of last season’s team have returned to the Adrian Flux Arena for the new campaign, led by captain Nicolai Klindt. Thomas Jorgensen, Frederik Jakobsen and Josh Pickering also retained their places, but Pickering will be missing from their side on Monday due to injury with Lewis Kerr guesting at reserve. Jason Edwards continues as their ‘Rising Star’ and the two new faces in the side are Michael Palm Toft and former world number two Krzysztof Kasprzak.