The best action home and away PLUS action from every round of Premiership Pairs as the Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches qualify for the end of season play-offs and win the Pairs!
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2022 IPSWICH HIGHLIGHTS
Author Archives: Henry Chard
PREMIERSHIP STREAMING ON BSN IN 2023
Premiership Speedway is making its way to the British Speedway Network (BSN) in 2023, after an
agreement was reached with British Speedway’s official streaming channel earlier today.
A total of 19 Premiership fixtures will be streamed on BSN next season, featuring live coverage from
every top-tier venue. The Premiership Pairs and both legs of the KO Cup final will also be included as
part of BSN’s schedule.
BSN’s live streaming will supplement official broadcast partner Eurosport’s superb coverage of the
Premiership, giving British Speedway fans an action-packed schedule to look forward to next year.
BSPL Director Chris Louis commented, “Following the success of the Championship coverage on the
British Speedway Network we are delighted that this has now been extended to cover 19
Premiership meetings. The extra live streaming on our network will complement the fantastic
coverage that we enjoy with Eurosport alongside SGP, SGP2 and SWC which can only be great news
for our fans. The 2023 Premiership is shaping up to be hugely competitive and with every club being
screened its going to be a bumper season for all British Speedway fans.”
BSN Director Ben Duffill added, “We’re thrilled to be working with the Premiership next year and I’m
sure our viewers will be delighted to hear this news. The 2023 Premiership is looking as attractive as
ever with 4 GP stars already signed up to race, so the prospect of showcasing the UK’s top league to
our subscribers is hugely exciting.”
Premiership Season Passes will be released for sale on the BSN website this Friday for the early bird
price of £79, giving live & on-demand access to 19 meetings including:
- 2 fixtures from each Premiership track
- Premiership Pairs
- KO Cup Final
Passes can be purchased by visiting watch.britishspeedway.co.uk/pages/2023-passes from Friday,
with early bird pricing being offered until December 31 st .
2023 SIGNING: ERIK RISS
By Henry Chard
The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches welcome back Erik Riss for the 2023 season.
Riss joined the club last winter and says he was keen to return to Foxhall for another year after an injury disrupted his season in 2022.
“It was a pretty easy decision, I enjoyed riding for Ipswich this year,” said Riss. “I had my injury and was out for a bit which was a shame, but I got two more meetings in before the end of the season with Ipswich which was nice. When the season was finished, there was instantly a desire to be back and I wasn’t quite satisfied with how I went last year, I know I can do better.
“I enjoy the track at Ipswich but know I can do better, so I am not finished and can do a lot more. I definitely wanted to be back, it wasn’t a hard decision, it was my first choice to be back at Ipswich.
“I was hitting form everywhere, in the UK and Poland. In the meeting where I crashed in Poland it was one of my best meetings in Poland, so it was a very frustrating time. When I was laying in hospital, I thought I would be back in five weeks, but it took longer, and it turned out I tore my ACL as well which prolonged the whole process of recovery.
“It was really frustrating, if it was a month later, it wouldn’t have been as frustrating, but it is what it is, these things happen. It is part of the sport getting injured, you just have to accept it and move on. It is in the past now, so I am just getting ready for next year.”
The German was content with his form this season but believes he can do better in the new year with the right equipment.
“I think I did a good job for what the club expected of me especially after the year I had with King’s Lynn in 2021. I think I did better than I did last year, and I think the club was quite satisfied with me, they wanted me back so that is a sign of them being satisfied.
“Personally, I wasn’t that satisfied, there was a few good meetings I had, a few really good scores but I feel it should be like that every week because I have shown what I am capable of and when you know that, you want it to happen every week but it doesn’t always work out that way. Everything needs to be right and at one point in the season I found an engine that worked really good at Ipswich and then it blew up and I had to use different engines. It is a lot down to circumstances and equipment unfortunately, but I want to get that figured out for next year and do even better.”
The 27-year-old tore his ACL in the crash he suffered mid-season and will have surgery this month following his off-season holiday as he prepares to be fit for the new season.
“I have still got to get my ACL fixed, it is still torn, and I have to have surgery in December and then recover and get ready for the season. I’m not 100% fit at the moment, everything else is fine but my knee is still a problem, so I have got to get that fixed.
“I planned my holiday a long time ago before I got injured so I didn’t really want to have surgery beforehand and be on crutches for my whole holiday so I moved it to just after my holiday and will have surgery straight away. Then I will start the recovery and getting ready for the season.”
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
2023 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season Tickets for the 2023 season are now on sale as the Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches embark of another season of Premiership speedway.
You can buy your season ticket online, here. Alternatively, you can download a season ticket form here. Season tickets are available to buy until 15th March 2023 and are priced at £250 for Adults and £225 for Concessions, with Grandstand seats priced at £25.
There are three ways to pay. Online via the link provided above, you can visit the stadium on 17th December between 10am-1pm and pay in person or you can post your completed form with a cheque to: Mr M Styles, 7 Penhurst Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8QZ. Please make all cheques payable to: IPSWICH SPEEDWAY PROMOTIONS LTD.
Your season tickets will be issued at the first meeting of the 2023 season and will cover all 12 of our Premiership league fixtures and the first round of the Knockout Cup. This does not include any semi-finals or finals. However, you will still be able to purchase your tickets for these events at the season ticket gate.
Concession tickets are available to those who held a 2022 concession season ticket or those who are over the age of 65 on or before 15th March 2023.
Proof of age is required for all first-time concession applicants, this can include a copy of your passport, driving licence or birth certificate. This can be provided when you collect your ticket.
Season tickets are transferable. ID and proof of age will be required for concession tickets not bearing the holder’s name and may not be used to discount an adult admission.
With your season ticket you can claim 10% discount on all Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches clothing at the Track Shop and 10% off your first appointment at Keep Well.
Season Tickets do not include a programme.
Admission prices for the 2023 season will be £22 for adults, £20 for concessions whilst children 16 and under go free.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
2023 SIGNING: JACK THOMAS
By Henry Chard
The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches have signed Jack Thomas as their Rising Star for the 2023 season.
Thomas says he was hoping to get the opportunity to race in Suffolk next season after a season of highs and lows in 2022.
“I spoke with a few clubs about spots for next year and I was told I could do another year as a Rising Star so I thought I would put my name out there,” said Thomas. “I had a chat with Ritchie (Hawkins) and just waited for the AGM, I was hoping for the offer as it is not too far from my house, it’s only an hour so I was really hoping to get the opportunity with Ipswich.
“2022 for me to start with was the best season I have had yet. I trained a lot harder last winter and put a lot of time in with the bikes and prep. I started the season with Oxford thinking I would be riding at reserve and ended up as one of the heat leaders for the season. I put my average up to a six at one point nearly. It was the same with King’s Lynn, I started as a Rising Star, and was grateful to have the opportunity with a local club again and was really enjoying it.
“Then halfway through the season I ended up having a crash, broke both of my wrists which knocked the season on the head for me. I am back to full fitness and have been back on the bike a couple of times since and am feeling back to myself.”
The 23-year-old has grown to like the track at Foxhall in recent visits and is looking forward to working with the management team at Ipswich.
“I have only ridden Foxhall a handful of times. The first time I ever came I wasn’t a huge fan to be honest! I always thought it was a hard track to ride but I came back with Glasgow in 2018 and rode quite well and really enjoyed it. I had a run-off for third place in the Under-19 round there and had a bike breakdown but otherwise with King’s Lynn I held my own quite well and came away with five or six points and really enjoyed myself there. It is always a great crowd there; they are great fans and I got on well with Chris (Louis) and Ritchie so I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Thomas says work has already begun for the new campaign as the Rising Star looks to emulate what Tom Brennan achieved last season.
“I am back training after a couple of weeks on holiday with my other half. I will be working over the winter; I am a digger driver by trade so I will be back to driving diggers and going to the gym as much as I can and getting myself race-ready. I am ordering parts and visiting sponsors at the moment and getting the bikes built up ready to go.
“I want to win as many races as I can but for myself, I’d like to have an injury free season and carry on as I was last year. Tom did well last year but halfway through the season when I was on the pace, we were pretty level between us. I would like to get myself out of the Rising Star position and get myself a good average to work myself up, so I am ready next season to be in the actual team. That is my main aim, enjoy my season and see where it takes me.”
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
2023 SIGNING: DANNY KING
By Henry Chard
The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches welcome back club captain Danny King for the 2023 season.
King has been at Ipswich for the past seven seasons and next year will be his fourteenth in total at Foxhall, and the skipper says his commitment to the club has never changed.
“It is always an easy decision for me to come to Ipswich,” said King. “Everyone knows how I feel about the club. Even though this year didn’t quite go the way I wanted it to with machinery I think people can see I am still giving 100% every time and my dedication to win for Ipswich has not changed at all.”
The captain explained how 2022 didn’t quite go to plan for him but believes he is in a good position going into the new campaign.
“2022 was frustrating, that is the best way to put it. Finishing 2021 in such good form and comfortable with everything, I seemed to have a bad run of luck with engines going into 2022. We went down the route of getting some new engines from different people and it felt like going backwards again. It never got going as much as I’d like but on a positive note, I finished good and changed some engine tuners again. I just kept trying and trying and got back to where I wanted to be, it was too little too late but hopefully it puts me in good stead for next year.”
The 36-year-old still dreams of lifting a league title with the Witches and thinks team building has started positively for 2023 with the signings of Jason Doyle and Keynan Rew.
“I have been at Ipswich a long time and the one thing I am yet to do is win a league title and it is on my bucket list. It is something I will be pushing hard for again next year, as I do every year.
“Jason speaks for himself; we have the best rider in the league so you can’t get off to a better start than that. I’m excited to see what Keynan can do, I have heard a lot about him. I’ve not met him but have heard good things and that he has some good pedigree behind him so hopefully he can hit the ground running and be a big asset to the club.”
The 2016 British champion says preparation for next season has already started as he aims to hit the ground running.
“It was a frustrating year, but I am feeling confident going into next year with what I want to do. We have started stripping stuff, getting things where I want them. We are doing it earlier than normal as usually I do it after Christmas, but we are starting now as I have an idea in my head of where I want to be, and I am going to make sure it is ready and that I am ready for March.”
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
2023 SIGNING: KEYNAN REW
By Henry Chard
The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches are excited to welcome Australian Under 21 champion Keynan Rew to the club for the 2023 season.
The Queenslander will make his debut in British racing next year with Ipswich and is keen to get going at Foxhall.
“We were both keen to make the deal happen, so it wasn’t one-sided,” said Rew. “My career so far has been based mainly in Europe. I haven’t done anything in the UK yet so probably not a lot of people know me there. I have been racing in Poland for the last three years. I started in Rawicz, I went to Leszno and eventually ended up in Krosno last season in the first division. Next season I will be racing in the first division with Gdansk in Poland.
“From what I have seen and heard it is a very professional club and the management were great to deal with. When I started to speak to Chris (Louis), he made it very easy and simple to get a contract done which made life simple and made me excited to join the team.”
The 19-year-old says compatriot Jason Doyle spoke positively about the club as he looks to keep busy on the bike during the off-season.
“Me and Doyley are pretty good friends, we speak regularly, and he told me Ipswich is the place to be, that it is very professionally ran and never a problem there. He helped me to make it happen and talked me into going.
“Of course, I will be doing a fair bit of racing in Australia and keep the bike time going whilst everyone else in Europe is struggling for bike time. That is an advantage for us, other than that I will chill out, go to work and enjoy my summer!”
Rew will be based in Poland throughout the season as he hopes to score well in his debut season in Britain.
“I will be based in Poland, living in Leszno and will be there with my mechanic and workshop for Poland, so I will be living there and flying in and out.
“I would like to be scoring well in Poland and the UK. It is my first season in the UK, so I don’t have the biggest expectations, but I have goals and I want to be scoring well there and I have the personal goal to race in SGP2 and do well in that.”
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
2023 SIGNING: JASON DOYLE
By Henry Chard
The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches are delighted to announce the return of Grand Prix star Jason Doyle for the 2023 season.
The Australian former world champion says Ipswich was the only club he wanted to return to after enjoying his return to British racing in 2022.
“I only had one thought in mind and that was to be back at Ipswich,” said Doyle. “I didn’t want to take any offers from other clubs so that was pretty easy for me to come back after the 2022 season. It was an eye-opener to come to a club that was run so professionally, and I really enjoyed my time working with Chris (Louis), Ritchie (Hawkins) and the Ipswich management.
“Returning to British speedway was what I had to do for my racing, I felt like I missed it with the two years that I was out of it after winning the league with Swindon in 2019. Having such a break from British speedway didn’t feel right. A lot of other riders and clubs don’t want us to be riding in England, but I always feel like if I do ride in England, I do become a better rider.
“I feel it was the right move for myself to move to Ipswich. Coming from Norwich, it is a very easy way to get to Ipswich and it made it so much easier for my wife, friends, and family to come and watch as well. It was a family affair this year and I really enjoyed it and I hope I can carry on how last year went.”
The world number 10 was the standout rider in the Premiership in 2022 and he revealed how a press day encounter gave him some extra motivation to score well for the club.
“I had a funny encounter when I first signed at Ipswich, on press and practice day one of the trackmen said to me ‘welcome to Ipswich, we didn’t really want you as a number one, we wanted Chris Holder but hopefully you can do your job!’ That sat in my mind a bit as well to have some big boots to fill. I needed to score a lot of points and it didn’t start too well in the first two matches for me, but we had to come to terms with new tyres and being back in British speedway which is a totally different way of racing. I really enjoyed it and pushed really hard all year to score as many points as possible and I think we did a fair good job for the club.”
The 2017 world champion is heading back to his homeland this winter as he looks to make changes ahead of 2023.
“I’m heading back to Australia on 12th December to get ready for the Australian titles, plus the Oceania Championship and a couple of individual meetings in Australia but I’m mainly back there to test engines. We are making a big change for next season in all my racing. The best time to do these tests is in Australia where we can get some quality bike time on different tracks.”
Doyle is targeting a second world title next season as well as picking up a league title with the Witches.
“Staying safe and enjoying it is the aim. I put a lot of pressure on myself in the last few years and it hasn’t worked so we go into it with a new way of looking and hopefully have faster engines. The main goal is to win the world title and finally get some silverware in the league for Ipswich.”
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
LOUIS UPDATE ON 2023
By Henry Chard
Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches promoter Chris Louis gives his thoughts on the recent BSPL AGM which sees the club stay in the Premiership for the 2023 season.
The new season will see the return of the Knockout Cup, with the Witches facing top-flight newcomers Leicester in the first round and the points limit for team building has been set at 39.00 for six riders, plus a Rising Star.
“I was happy to see the Knockout Cup back,” said Louis. “It was always a competition I enjoyed doing and we welcome Leicester into the league which is going in the right direction. We need to make the league bigger at a sustainable rate.
“The points limit staying the same is right, we need to keep the league as competitive as possible and every opportunity to invite the top riders from the other leagues and the Grand Prix back to these shores is a good thing.”
The Premiership Pairs competition which Ipswich won in 2022 has been reduced to three rounds in 2023 which are to be held at Ipswich, Sheffield and King’s Lynn.
“The Premiership Pairs is three rounds; I quite enjoyed the series being over each track last year, but everybody saw the fixture problems last year which to some degree were down to some individual clubs as much as anything else. You can make all the excuses you want but it was inexcusable really, so I think it is sensible to reduce the size of the Pairs competition. It is a competition we won so I am probably bias, but I thought to a degree it was successful and I am looking forward to trying to retain that title next year.”
The new year will see a change in the scoring system and the return of the aggregate bonus point with the Super Heat concept extended to cover scenarios when the meeting is drawn or if the aggregate score is level.
“The points scoring system has changed which will give us a much more simple looking league table, that’s the main reason for that. With the bonus point we are back to something we did for many many years, and it worked quite successfully so I have got to say I am all for that. Retaining the Super Heat for drawn meetings is great and it is good the Championship now have that and all of that is the same in both leagues which is necessary, you can’t have different leagues with different points scoring systems.”
There is also a partnership between the BSPL and MYLAPS which will see transponders rolled out to all Premiership clubs during the 2023 season. This technology will provide accurate information for live timing, and assist in resolving close finishes, and will also be made available to Eurosport and the British Speedway Network for use during their broadcasts.
“All in all, it was a fairly simple AGM with a few tweaks but nothing radical. The inclusion of a MYLAPS timing system is great, it won’t fundamentally change the sport, but all the timings will be accurate and there will be no dead heats or poor decisions when it comes to the finish line. It is simple technology that has been around for a while that we needed to adopt, so it was all positive.”
Louis says that team building for the new campaign is going well with announcements to be made soon.
“Team building is going very well, and we are looking forward to making announcements in the coming week, so everything is going good.”
For more details on the AGM, head here.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway
BRITISH SPEEDWAY 2023 UPDATE
British Speedway Promoters’ Ltd can now confirm the structure of the 2023 season following last week’s AGM in Coventry.
All clubs present confirmed their intention to race next year, with Leicester moving up to the Premiership as expected.
This means the top-flight will comprise seven clubs. Key changes include the return of the aggregate bonus point after a strong response in favour from a poll held on social media in mid-season.
Promoters have also agreed to extend the Super Heat concept to cover the scenarios of meeting draws and also tied scores on aggregate.
With an extra club in their league, the Premiership have returned to a knockout format for their Cup competition, and they have also retained the Pairs which will be staged over three rounds.
The Premiership will have a cut-off date of August 31 in order to allow for a timely start to the play-offs.
A significant development is a tie-up between the BSPL and MYLAPS which will see transponders rolled out to all Premiership clubs during the 2023 season.
This technology will provide accurate information for live timing, and assist in resolving close finishes, and will also be made available to Eurosport and the British Speedway Network for use during their broadcasts.
PREMIERSHIP
CLUBS: Belle Vue, Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Peterborough, Sheffield, Wolverhampton.
POINTS LIMIT: 39.00 for six riders, teams to also include one Rising Star.
LEAGUE FORMAT: Unchanged. 2 home, 2 away with the top four clubs progressing to the play-offs.
KO CUP: 1st round – Wolverhampton v Belle Vue, Ipswich v Leicester, King’s Lynn v Sheffield. Peterborough have a bye to the semi-finals.
PREMIERSHIP PAIRS: Three rounds to take place at Ipswich, Sheffield and King’s Lynn.
LEAGUE POINTS SCORING
WIN – 2 points
DRAW – Super Heat
LOSE – 0 points
AGGREGATE BONUS: 1 point for the aggregate winners following home/away matches.
SUPER HEAT
A Super Heat will be held following every match which ends in a draw after Heat 15. The team scoring the most points in the Super Heat will receive 2 league points; the team defeated in the Super Heat will receive 1 league point.
A Super Heat will also be held in the event of an aggregate tie following home/away matches, with the team scoring the most points in the Super Heat being awarded the aggregate bonus point.
Should both meetings between two clubs result in draws, and therefore the aggregate scores are also tied, one Super Heat will be held which will resolve both the meeting victory in the second match, and the aggregate bonus point.
MAJOR EVENTS
Dates and venues to be confirmed in early 2023.