Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

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

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By Henry Chard

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

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 6th April in a Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

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TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.32 2. Keynan Rew 5.00 3. Danny King 6.41 © 4. Erik Riss 6.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.07 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.55 2. Justin Sedgmen 4.44 3. Richard Lawson 7.71 4. Chris Harris 7.40 © 5. Nick Morris 6.48 6. Jake Allen 4.00 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

Wolverhampton v Belle Vue

Ipswich v Leicester

King’s Lynn v Sheffield

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.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches race their first home meeting of the 2023 season against the Leicester Lions on Thursday in the Knockout Cup. The Suffolk side opened the season in style with victory away at Peterborough last week in the Premiership and will hope to start building some momentum, should the weather allow.

The first home meeting of the campaign is always a banana skin for any club but there really is no margin for error for Ritchie Hawkins’ side in this one as they look to build a healthy lead to take to the second leg in the East Midlands later this month.

The Foxhall faithful will get their first look at winter signing Emil Sayfutdinov on Thursday after his impressive debut at Peterborough saw him rack up 14 points. 20-year-old Australian Keynan Rew and ‘Rising Star’ Joe Thompson also make their Foxhall debuts.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It is our first home meeting of the season, and we would have much preferred to have the second leg here, but the weather has played its part and we now host the first leg. We have got to deal with that and make sure we put in a strong home performance even though it is the first night and opening home meeting to try and build a nice lead.

“It is a Leicester side led by a world class number one and then you have potentially a very good side backing him up. If they all click, we know they’ll be a very very strong team. We know Jake well at reserve, he has had a tough few years since covid hit but if Jake finds form, they will be a strong side and certainly ones who will be aiming for the play-offs.

“With the early rain-offs everyone will be even keener to see us after one meeting and one away win. As I have said previously, we have to keep expectations realistic but also, we need to show everyone why they are so excited about this team. We will develop as the season goes on and if everyone can back our less experienced riders and get behind them then we could be in for a very good season.”

THE LIONS

Leicester make their return to the top-flight of British Speedway in 2023 for the first time since 2018 and Thursday’s clash with the Witches will be their first of the new season. The club have enjoyed a successful spell in the Championship in recent years and have built a team that they hope can be challenging on all fronts in the top division this year. There is no time to settle into things though with a Knockout Cup tie as their opening fixture and the Lions will hope to put themselves in a good position going into the second leg on home shale.

Leicester have built a competitive looking side for this season led by Australian Grand Prix rider Max Fricke, who was with the title-winning Belle Vue team in 2022. He is joined by the experienced duo of Richard Lawson and Chris Harris at the top end, two riders who were part of the Ipswich side that reached the play-off final in 2019. Nick Morris stays with the side he has represented at Championship level in recent seasons whilst two Australian former Witches have been brought into the team, with Jake Allen and Justin Sedgmen making the move to the East Midlands. Dan Thompson is their ‘Rising Star’ and will come up against his twin brother Joe in heat two of this fixture.

HUME: HOPEFULLY THIS IS A BIG BREAKTHROUGH SEASON FOR ME

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches reserve Danyon Hume experienced an unsettling close season.

The 26-year-old was a key component in the Suffolk side’s attempts to seal the deal with former world No. 3, Emil Sayfutdinov.

Get the Emil deal over the line – Plan A – and Danyon had his deserved start in the Witches septet for 2023 – the points tallying nicely.

Don’t get it over the line and Plan B was set to be put into place – one that could well have seen Danyon looking for another club – and with not much time to do so.

A bit of a gamble then for the amiable Buckinghamshire-born racer who, on Thursday hopes to star on what will now be opening night at Foxhall Stadium, as the Witches entertain Leicester Lions in the Knockout Cup.

So, did he worry he could be left high and dry as the weeks ticked down?

“Yes, of course because as time went on it was getting closer and closer to the start of the season and everyone was waiting on Emil,” he said.

“So, it was a bit worrying, but Chris got it over the line, and I trusted he would. He said he would.

“I remember it was three weeks before the start of the season and still nothing was finalised, but overnight it all happened. And here I am.”

Hume is popular with the Foxhall crowd and teammates. A carpenter by trade, family man and ice hockey fan, he wants nothing more than to chase his dreams – dreams of becoming British champion and racing speedway full-time.

“Of course, I want to be a top-flight rider, race on the continent more,” he said.

“I’d love to push to be British champion. You have to believe you can. If I keep progressing as I have done, there is no reason I can’t do that.”

Hume certainly gives it 110% and few would begrudge him more success in the sport.

He’s fully committed to speedway, gives up his carpentry work each March to prepare and then race full-time in the summer.

But it’s hard work for him, not that he ever worries about that.

“I wash my bikes myself, but I have someone helping me for meetings,” he said.

“I don’t want any distractions, that’s why I give up my carpentry. I’m that focused to where I want to get to in the sport. If I can earn a living doing something I really love, then I will do everything to try and do that.

“I love riding speedway. Everyone I speak to who doesn’t ride a motor bike can’t understand the thrill you get. But the thrill of speedway is something else, it’s why I love it.”

Danyon has a young son, Leo, who is five years old. He loves spending time with him, as well as watching ice hockey, with partner Jade.

“In the off season, me and Jade got into ice hockey at Milton Keynes, which is not far from where I live,” he said.

“We were going past Guildford one day and stopped to watch a game, then got the bug. And we discovered Milton Keynes have a team, so we go all the time. It fits in well as it’s a winter sport.”

Back on the shale and recovering from a collarbone injury that curtailed 2022 for him, the former Sheffield and Glasgow racer is keen to make his mark in the Premiership. And with the teammates he is surrounded by in the Witches pits, he knows he has a great opportunity to make 2023 count.

“I’m determined to grab this opportunity,” he said.

“Having riders like Jason Doyle, Emil and Danny King around me can only bring me on as a rider. When you are in that group of people it is only going to bring you on. And they’ve all been such a help.

“Last year when I was pitted up next to Jason, you pick up little things, if I was struggling with a set-up, just ask and they’re there. Their experience is massive.

“Same with the mechanics, they all get involved. It’s a really good spirit.

“And now we have Emil. It feels like he’s always been part of the team and he’s only been here a few weeks. He’s so chilled and it’s great to have him with us.

“You turn up as a team and look around and realise how strong it is, that’s such a big plus, straightaway you’re high on confidence.”

Danyon knows being a late starter to the sport at 17, he needs to make his chances count, and as soon as possible.

“Hopefully this is a big breakthrough season for me,” he said. “I have new equipment this year, as well.

“I want to just keep digging deep, get stuck in, especially on that first bend.

“I don’t mind getting stuck in. It’s early days this season as yet but I’m confident and looking forward to it immensely.”

Ipswich take on Leicester on Thursday 6th April at Foxhall Stadium, from 7.30pm, tickets available here.

LEICESTER V IPSWICH – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Knockout Cup fixture against Leicester on Thursday 30th March has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions, along with a forecast for further on and off rain, meaning the track will not be suitable for racing. The decision was made on Wednesday.

The fixture has been re-arranged for Monday 17th April.

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

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By Henry Chard

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

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Leicester to face the Lions at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena on Thursday 30th March in a Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.55 2. Justin Sedgmen 4.44 3. Richard Lawson 7.71 4. Chris Harris 7.40 © 5. Nick Morris 6.48 6. Jake Allen 4.00 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.32 2. Erik Riss 6.00 3. Danny King 6.41 © 4. Keynan Rew 5.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.07 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: D. Watters

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

Wolverhampton v Belle Vue

Ipswich v Leicester

King’s Lynn v Sheffield

TICKETS

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

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Leicester on Thursday to take on the Lions in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie. The Witches opened up their 2023 season on Monday night at the East of England Arena in a league fixture against Peterborough and got off to the perfect start with a 48-42 win. Whilst the league is the priority for all sides, Ritchie Hawkins is eager for his side to have a cup run this season and is hoping to take an advantage back to Suffolk ahead of the second leg and avoid an early exit from the competition.

Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle will be hoping to continue their excellent start to the season on Thursday with both riders dropping just one point each to an opponent in Monday’s away victory. Joe Thompson returns to a place he knows very well; the Rising Star having represented Leicester throughout his career at Championship and National League level. In fact, the Witches side is packed full of experience at Leicester with Doyle, Riss, King and Hume all having spent time at the club in their careers.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Leicester haven’t been on track yet, so we need to try and take advantage of that. We have only had one meeting but we have one under our belts and hopefully that gives us a bit of an advantage.

“It is a tougher place to go than the Showground, so we have to be mindful of that but also when they come to our place that will be our first meeting at home. We need to put in a strong performance at Leicester and try not to put too much pressure on ourselves at home.

“We certainly do not want to go out of the Knockout Cup early in the season that wouldn’t be good for anyone. We want a good cup run, to go along with a good run in the league and keep that winning feeling going, it all snowballs if you keep winning meetings.

“Joe will be more comfortable at Leicester than some of the other places but in no meeting this season will we be putting pressure on him to do anything, and I was really pleased with how he performed on Monday. If he can carry on his progress at Leicester, then that’s great.”

THE LIONS

Leicester make their return to the top-flight of British Speedway in 2023 for the first time since 2018 and Thursday’s clash with the Witches will be their first of the new season. The club have enjoyed a successful spell in the Championship in recent years and have built a team that they hope can be challenging on all fronts in the top division this year. There is no time to settle into things though with a two-legged Knockout Cup tie as their opening fixtures and the Lions will hope to build a good lead to take to Foxhall next week.

Leicester have built a competitive looking side for this season led by Australian Grand Prix rider Max Fricke, who was with the title-winning Belle Vue team in 2022. He is joined by the experienced duo of Richard Lawson and Chris Harris at the top end, two riders who were part of the Ipswich side that reached the play-off final in 2019. Nick Morris stays with the side he has represented at Championship level in recent seasons whilst two Australian former Witches have been brought into the team, with Jake Allen and Justin Sedgmen making the move to the East Midlands. Dan Thompson is their ‘Rising Star’ and will come up against his twin brother Joe in heat two of this fixture.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £21, concessions £19, children (6-17) £1 and children aged 5 and under go free. There will be 235 free car park spaces available at the stadium with further free car parking facilities on the Beaumont Shopping Complex (maximum time of 4 hours). Three Coach/Mini Bus spaces, 15 Disabled spaces available, 15 Motorcycle spaces, Taxi drop-off point. For travel information head here.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: PETERBOROUGH 42-48 IPSWICH – PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

PETERBOROUGH 42: Nicki Pedersen 0 (Withdrawn), Hans Andersen © 8+1, Richie Worrall 4, Benjamin Basso 13, Niels-Kristian Iversen 9+1, Ben Cook 3+2, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 5+2. Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH 48: Jason Doyle 10+4, Erik Riss 8, Danny King © 9, Keynan Rew 4, Emil Sayfutdinov 14, Danyon Hume 1+1, Joe Thompson (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Jarvis

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield25
Ipswich12
King’s Lynn00
Leicester00
Wolverhampton00
Peterborough10
Belle Vue20

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches began the 2023 season with a win on the road as they defeated Peterborough in the Premiership on Monday night.

The hosts lost their number one Nicki Pedersen to injury in heat one after a fall and although they led narrowly for the majority of the night, the away side timed things perfectly to hit three maximums in the final five races and secure victory. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored for Ipswich with 14 points from five rides.

Pedersen’s much-anticipated debut for the home side didn’t start as planned as he hit the deck in heat one and was excluded from the re-run. There was a delay to proceedings as remedial work was done to the track before Erik Riss and Jason Doyle cruised home for a maximum to the visitors. The hosts hit back with a 5-1 of their own in heat two before Benjamin Basso passed Danny King on the final bend to win heat three as the Panthers recorded a 4-2. Sayfutdinov re-introduced himself to British speedway in fine style in heat four as he worked his way through the traffic to win the race as the points were shared, leaving Peterborough two points to the good.

Basso held off Doyle to win heat five as the home team extended their lead. Pedersen was unable to take any further part in the fixture after his opening race crash, with injury rider replacement in operation for the Panthers for the remainder of the evening. Sayfutdinov raced to another impressive victory in a shared heat six and skipper King won heat seven as Niels-Kristian Iversen battled past Keynan Rew for second, with the Australian’s first point for the club handing the Witches a 2-4. Heat eight ended in a 3-3 with Peterborough leading by two points.

The Panthers started heat nine strongly before with Basso and Richie Worrall at the front before the latter slipped from second to last allowing the Witches pair of Sayfutdinov and Danyon Hume into the points. The home team extended their lead in heat 10 with a 5-1 but their lead was reduced back to just two points after heat 11 as Riss won and Doyle passed the Panthers to join his partner at the front for a maximum. King added another three points to his total with a win in heat 12, as a 3-3 left the score finely poised at 37-35 with three to race.

The heavy-hitting duo of Sayfutdinov and Doyle produced the goods in heat 13 as a 1-5 gave Ipswich the lead for the first time since heat one. Basso looked on course for another win in heat 14 but Rew had other ideas and passed the Dane to get a fantastic first race win in British speedway and secure a 3-3. Sayfutdinov and Doyle completed the job in heat 15 with another maximum which ensured the perfect start to the season for the Suffolk side.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

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

“I’m delighted to get an away win on the board early because it gives us a really good start to the league season. I was really happy with all seven of them, obviously there is room for improvement, clearly at the bottom end but there was also a lot of positive rides from them.

“Peterborough was a nice one to come back to for Emil and everyone really, it is always nice place to go. It suits Emil and he was rapid, and it was great to see. Him and Doyley are class, it is far from a given that they are going to do the business in heat 13 and 15 but they did tonight.

“I was really happy with Keynan after that heat 14 ride, we talk a lot about the top end, but the bottom end chipped in with vital points and if we are going to win meetings, we are certainly going to need points from the bottom end, and they did that tonight.

“We always take a good following to Peterborough and the away wins are special for the fans. We have been there and had bad meetings on the road and the fans spend their time and money to come and support us and it is nice to send them home happy, that is always what we are trying to achieve.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

There has been much anticipation in Britain to see Sayfutdinov back in the Premiership and he did not disappoint, dropping just a point, scoring 14 points from five rides.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich start the 2023 season in a positive manner and pick up two points as Peterborough have to wait to get off the mark this season.

UP NEXT

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Leicester on Thursday 30th March to take on the Lions at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena in the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie. Tickets can be purchased online in advance here and on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH – PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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By Mike Bacon

All the details ahead of our Premiership R1 fixture with Peterborough.

WHEN & WHERE

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Peterborough to face the Panthers at the East of England Arena & Events Centre on Monday 27th March in a Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

PETERBOROUGH: 1. Nicki Pedersen 8.61 2. Hans Andersen 4.93 © 3. Richie Worrall 6.15 4. Benjamin Basso 6.81 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 7.59 6. Ben Cook 4.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.32 2. Erik Riss 6.00 3. Danny King 6.41 © 4. Keynan Rew 5.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.07 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Jarvis

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield12
Ipswich00
King’s Lynn00
Leicester00
Peterborough00
Wolverhampton00
Belle Vue10

TICKETS

Tickets are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches head to Peterborough on Monday night to face the Panthers in what will now be both teams’ opening fixture of the season after Thursday night’s clash at Foxhall was called off at lunchtime with rain, that arrived, forecast.

That clash between the teams has been now been arranged for July 20, with the June 22 clash between the sides now becoming the R1 Premiership fixture.

Both Peterborough and Ipswich will want to hit the ground running and there is little time to ‘bed in’ this year as Premiership points are up for grabs from the start. The big East of England bowl is a fast racing track and many of the Witches know it well.

For new Witches boys, Keynan Rew and Emil Sayfutdinov, the big open spaces of the EOEA could well suit them, while Ipswich skipper Danny King is the track record holder – a feat he achieved in heat three of the clash between the Witches and Panthers back in 2019.

Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins switches his riding order around from the team that would have taken to the track on Thursday. Erik Riss and Rew have swapped positions – Riss to No.2 and Rew to No.4.

Other than that both teams are as they would have been at Foxhall.

With a bonus point up for grabs for the aggregate winning score this season, the Witches will at least want to keep the Panthers close.

Last season the Witches lost twice at Peterborough, once in the League Cup and once in the League, but drew 45-45 all on their final visit last September in a Premiership clash, before winning the Super Heat in thrilling fashion.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It was obviously disappointing for the meeting on Thursday to be called off early because of the forecast, but it proved the right decision.

“So now we start our season away from home, rather than at home which isn’t a bad thing, it kind of takes the pressure off us and puts it on Peterborough.

“We have plenty of riders who know Peterborough well, Jason Doyle had a supreme meeting at the back end of last season when we came away with a Super Heat victory.

“Yes, we know riders who know Peterborough well, but we still have some inexperienced Premiership riders and we have to give them time to settle in. But Peterborough is a nice track to go to for your first meeting of any year.

“I’ve swapped Erik Riss and Keynan Rew round because I think early on, heat one away from home, is always vital. It’s a big ask of Keynan to go out in heat one on a track he’s never seen. Erik knows Peterborough well.”

THE PANTHERS

Despite getting the better of the Witches twice at the East of England Showground last year, the Panthers endured a miserable 2022, finishing bottom of the Premiership.

All that after winning the Premiership 12 months previous.

So, 2023 is the chance of a new slate for the Cambridgeshire side and they have made a statement signing, enticing three-time world champion, Nicki Pedersen, to lead the Panthers.

All-action Pedersen is joined by fellow Dane and a rider who had a spell at Foxhall a few years back, Niels-Kristian Iversen. They will form the backbone of a Panthers side that will look to get their season off to a big start in front of their own fans.

Ben Cook makes his Premiership debut for the Panthers, while the experienced Hans Andersen captains the side. Richie Worrall, the exciting Ben Basso and Jordan Jenkins make up the Panthers septet.

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.

IPSWICH V PETERBOROUGH – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Premiership fixture against Peterborough on Thursday 23rd March has been postponed due to the bad weather forecast with a decision made at 12pm on Thursday.

The fixture has been re-arranged for 20th July, and the 22nd June fixture against Peterborough becomes the R1 fixture.

DOYLE: THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE CLUB IS ELECTRIFYING

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches rider Jason Doyle is looking forward to the opening fixture against the Peterborough Panthers on Thursday night at Foxhall (7.30pm) – and especially he and Emil Sayfutdinov’s battles with the Panthers’ top stars.

2017 world champion, Doyle, and Witches winter signing and 2021 world No.3, Sayfutdinov, are hoping to form one of the strongest heat leader partnerships in the country this season.

It’s a mouth-watering prospect for Ipswich fans, who will at last be able to see their top pair in action on opening night, pitting their skills up against Peterborough’s big guns, three-time world champion Nicki Pedersen and former world No.3 Niels-Kristian Iversen.

“We’re in it to win it. And a good start against Peterborough is our first goal,” Doyle said.

“Our first meeting against Nicki and Niels-Kristian is going to be good for me and Emil to show ‘em the right way around Ipswich – and hopefully come out with that win.

“Having Nicki back in British Speedway is amazing, so now we’ve got about six of the top 20 riders in the world back in Britain. For fans it must be great to have that happen after so many years without them.”

Doyle was an inspirational No.1 for the Witches in 2022, ending the year with a 10pt+ average. At times he was simply impossible to beat, racing from the start and coming from the back.

However, he urges caution at the start of this season, wanting to make sure the Witches finish better than they did last year as they open their Premiership campaign.

“It’s a long year so we need to ride safe early on. I say this all the time,” he said.

“It’s not about winning everything at this time of the year, of course that’s nice. Last year we were top of the table about 90% of the time and didn’t get to the final. That’s not the way we want it this year.

“In saying that, the atmosphere in the club is electrifying, there is already a lot more hope this year than last, with the team Chris Louis and Ritchie Hawkins have put together.

“We need to help the young kids in our team, but also having Emil is a massive thing for us guys to have that firepower this year.”

While domestically Doyle was in supreme form in England, he endured a disappointing 2022 Grand Prix series and had to rely on a ‘pick’ after finishing outside of the top six automatic qualification spots. It’s something he wants to avoid this year.

“I was terrible last season,” Doyle added.

“I was at a point in the season where nothing was working. The GPs were very hard to go to because I knew I didn’t have the speed to match the boys and it was very frustrating to turn up on a Saturday and know I wasn’t even close to them in qualifying, and then to have to race them in the meeting.

“But we’ve made a massive change in the winter and I’m very happy what we’ve done. Hopefully it is a good start to something good for me in the GPs.”

RACEDAY PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH – PREMIERSHIP R1 (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Premiership R1 fixture with Peterborough.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Peterborough Panthers at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 23rd March in a Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 10.32 2. Keynan Rew 5.00 3. Danny King 6.41 © 4. Erik Riss 6.00 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00 6. Danyon Hume 3.07 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

PETERBOROUGH: 1. Nicki Pedersen 8.61 2. Hans Andersen 4.93 © 3. Richie Worrall 6.15 4. Benjamin Basso 6.81 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 7.59 6. Ben Cook 4.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

REFEREE: C. Gay

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue00
Ipswich00
King’s Lynn00
Leicester00
Peterborough00
Sheffield00
Wolverhampton00

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.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches open their 2023 Premiership campaign at Foxhall on Thursday as they take on the Peterborough Panthers. It is straight into competitive league action this year with points on the line from the off as the race for the end of season play-offs begins. Leicester have joined the Premiership this season, with teams facing each other twice home and away over the season as the top four head into the end of season play-offs.

There is an added incentive this year with the return of the aggregate bonus point, meaning an additional point will be awarded to the team winning on aggregate over corresponding R1 and R2 fixtures, e.g. Ipswich 47-43 Peterborough & Peterborough 46-44 Ipswich (Ipswich awarded additional point for winning 91-89 on aggregate). All this means Ritchie Hawkins’ side will hope to hit the ground running and record a big victory to put themselves in a strong position to take the extra league point in Monday’s return fixture.

Ipswich have made three changes to the side that ended the 2022 season and secured arguably the biggest signing of the winter as they brought former world number three Emil Sayfutdinov to Suffolk. Sayfutdinov, a Polish citizen competing on a Polish licence, was forced to sit out racing in 2022 after Russian riders were suspended by the FIM due to the war in Ukraine but with all the paperwork now complete, all eyes will be on the track to see how the former European champion fares on his return to British speedway.

There are two further debutants for Ipswich on Thursday. 19-year-old Australian Keynan Rew will make his first appearance in British Speedway at number two and Joe Thompson is our new Rising Star rider at number seven.

The rest of the side are familiar faces to the Foxhall faithful. 2022 rider of the year and Grand Prix star Jason Doyle returns as the team’s number one and former British champion Danny King continues as captain. Danyon Hume is at number six having rode as our Rising Star last season and Erik Riss is back after an injury-hit season last year.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“I am known for moving the riding order about and that will happen again but for opening night we have started with a standard speedway line-up, if you like, it is what you would expect. We will see how Keynan and Jason pair together and I would expect Danny and Erik to ride well together at three and four and make us solid in the middle-order, and we are going to need that to beat Peterborough. Emil is at number five, and you couldn’t ask for a better number five than that.

“What an opening night fixture this is. We have got Email back, the best rider in the league in Jason Doyle and Nicki Pedersen is back for Peterborough, it should be a cracker and I’m sure we will have a big crowd to support us.”

THE PANTHERS

Peterborough endured a nightmare 2022 finishing rock bottom of the Premiership having won the title in 2021. It is a new-look for the Panthers in 2023 though, sporting new purple and white team colours and having brought in four new faces. The most notable addition is that of three-times world champion Nicki Pedersen, who at the age of 45 makes his return to British speedway. Helping him at the top end will be fellow Dane Niels-Kristian Iversen, the former Grand Prix star is the current track record holder at Foxhall.

Ben Cook makes his Premiership debut with Peterborough and Richie Worrall has joined the club for 2023. Benjamin Basso, Hans Andersen and Jordan Jenkins have all returned for another season with the Panthers and they will be hoping to take advantage of any opening night rustiness from the home side and make a positive start to the new season.

SAYFUTDINOV: YOU ALWAYS GET NERVOUS BUT I CAN’T WAIT!

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches rider Emil Sayfutdinov took to the Ipswich track like a duck to water as he roared around Foxhall Heath at practice day on Thursday.

And he admits he can’t wait to get going for the Witches – and yes, even for such an experienced racer, there will be nerves!

The 2021 world No.3, back in British Speedway for the first time since 2011, was first out of the pit gate to take to the Suffolk circuit last week – and he delighted those in attendance with some scintillating speed.

It’s been almost 18 months since Sayfutdinov last rode a competitive meeting after a 2022 suspension by the FIM on Russian riders, due to the war in Ukraine.

But he’s raring to go now and can’t wait for Thursday, as the Witches open their 2023 campaign against Peterborough Panthers at Foxhall Heath, 7.30pm start.

So, will he really have nerves?

“Ah, yes,” the 33-year-old said. “I will.”

“You always get nervous, of course. But I can’t wait, it’s my first meeting for so long. I’ve just done practice and more practice because of the 18-month break. I don’t mind feeling that stress before the meeting to be honest.

“We have had a few laps now at Ipswich and I’m ready for the first meeting.

“I want to enjoy the season, meet the fans again. I can’t wait for that feeling.”

If Emil’s greeting when he was introduced by compere Kevin Long to fans at the Meet the Riders night, also last Thursday, is anything to go by, he is going to be a big hit at Foxhall.

A packed house of almost 200 fans greeted the Witches of 2023, with Emil introduced last, but far from least, as the roars went up.

And he had the hall in laughter as Kevin asked him about his infamous ‘altercation’ with former Witch and Ipswich legend, Scott Nicholls, at the pit gate after a feisty race at the British GP in Cardiff in 2009. The two having fisticuffs galore!

“Ah, yes, that was for show!” Emil laughed.

“But, no seriously, I get on well with Scott today and he was one of the first people to text me when I joined Ipswich to say congratulations and welcome back to England. That was nice.”

Tapes up then this Thursday with the Panthers, led by three-time world champion, Nicki Pedersen, as well as former GP star Niels-Kristian Iversen, in town.

As well as Emil, all the rest of the Witches septet got a wonderful reception at the Meet the Riders night. It promises to be quite a season. It promises to be quite an opening night.

Emil is a three-time World Team champion, 7x GP winner, 2x European champion, 2x world u-21 champion and he’s finished third in the world on three occasions, 2009, 2019 and 2021. He will also be riding for Torun in the Polish League.