Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY REPORT | OXFORD 42-48 IPSWICH

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SCORECARD

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

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

REFEREE: G. Allen

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

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

THE REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

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

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

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

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

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

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

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

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

WHAT IT MEANS

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

NEXT FIXTURE

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

RACEDAY GUIDE | OXFORD (A)

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

LINE-UPS

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

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

REFEREE: G. Allen

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

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

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here.

THE PREVIEW

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

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

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

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

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

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

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

OXFORD SPIRES

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

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

LAST TIME OUT IN OXFORD

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

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £23 with accompanied children under 16 going free if bought in advance. There is a £2 price increase for adult tickets purchased on the day. £2 parking will be available thanks to Unipart at their site just a short walk from the stadium (approx 800m) please remember to select this option if required when purchasing your tickets as this will be required when arriving at the car park. A free shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the stadium from the Unipart car park site. Unipart postcode is OX4 2PG. Limited disabled car parking is available at the stadium; these spaces are on a first come first served basis. For further information head here.

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

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

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By Rob Binns

SCORECARD

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

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

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

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

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

THE REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

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

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

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

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

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

RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

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

WHAT IT MEANS

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

NEXT FIXTURE

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

DOYLE’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT IPSWICH

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By Rob Binns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RACEDAY GUIDE | BELLE VUE (H)

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

LINE-UPS

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

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

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

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

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase in advance here and on the gate and are priced at £24 for adults and £22 for concessions (65+) & students (21 & under). Tickets for children aged 6-16 are £1 whilst children 5 & under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3.50 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.

THE PREVIEW

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

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

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

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

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

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

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

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

BELLE VUE ACES

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

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

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

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

RACEDAY REPORT | BELLE VUE 40-50 IPSWICH

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Image courtesy of Ian Charles

By Stephen Waller

SCORECARD

BELLE VUE 40:  Brady Kurtz © 12, Norick Blödorn 0 (Withdrawn), Jaimon Lidsey 5, Zach Cook 3, Dan Bewley 13+1, Tate Zischke 5+1, Jake Mulford (RS) 2. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

IPSWICH 50: Jason Doyle 9+1, Danny King © 8+2, Adam Ellis 5+1, Tom Brennan 8, Emil Sayfutdinov 7+1, Dan Thompson 8+2, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 5+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: M. Breckon

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS – FIRST LEG: Birmingham 33-57 Leicester, King’s Lynn 53-37 Oxford, Belle Vue 40-50 Ipswich

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches stormed to an impressive 10-point victory, in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie against the Belle Vue Aces, in Manchester on Monday night.

It was a solid team performance that saw the Suffolk side celebrating their first ever victory at the National Speedway Stadium, with every rider enjoying at least a paid win.  

On a well-prepared track the Witches took the lead in heat four and although the home side closed to within two points, with a 5-1 in the seventh, the visitors were soon back in control, following a trio of mid-meeting heat advantages.

The fast-starting Witches pairing of Jason Doyle and Danny King were soon picked off by Brady Kurtz, early in the opening heat, in a share of the spoils, before Dan Thompson split the home pairing in the second.

That left the Witches trailing by two, but they were soon level again. Adam Ellis raced away from the home pairing in the third, holding off the spirited challenge of Jamon Lidsey, with Tom Brennan building speed at the back and passing Zack Cook on the run to the line for the visitors first heat advantage of the night.  

Emil Sayfutdinov then comfortably won heat four, from Dan Bewley and with Jordan Jenkins finishing in third it was the Witches holding a two-point lead.

Doyle and King then raced to a 5-1 over Cook and Lidsey in the fifth, to extend the Witches lead to six and with Thompson and Sayfutdinov filling the minor places behind Kurtz in the sixth the visitors kept their advantage.

The home side then hit back with their own 5-1 in the seventh, to reduce the deficit to just two points, but a mid-meeting rally settled any nerves the Witches may have felt.

King was to hit the track in the eighth, after a knock from Norick Blödorn going into the first bend. In the re-run the Witches pairing were away at the front until Blödorn, coming from way back picked up drive and clipped Jenkins’ rear wheel before crashing out. The referee awarded the heat as a Witches maximum.

Another followed from Sayfutdinov and Thompson in the ninth, to take the visitors 10 points to the good and they extended this to twelve, with a 4-2 in the tenth, Brennan pulled out a big ride to hold off the previously unbeaten Kurtz and Ellis picking up third.

Heats eleven and twelve were shared before Kurtz and Bewley defeated Doyle and Sayfutdinov in the thirteenth. That reduced the Witches advantage to eight but the win on the night was secured in the penultimate heat with Brennan and Thompson scoring maximum points.

Bewley held off Doyle for the win in heat fifteen and with Kurtz finishing third the home side had clawed a couple back, but it is the Witches who will be feeling confident of getting the job done when the two sides race the second leg at Foxhall on Thursday. 

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Image courtesy of Ian Charles

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

“Everyone contributed to this result, it was good team performance, and every rider had a win or a paid win. We had very few last places, we’re a very solid side and everyone can go away happy with their own performances, as well as obviously the team, it was a great win.

“Dan was brilliant, especially as he had been feeling under the weather. His progress carries on an upward spiral. I know he scored great points, but he really showed his racing brain tonight, with some brilliant moves.

“We weren’t getting carried away at all as we’ve had good starts to meetings there before. In the seventh they got a 5-1 to pull a few back, but whilst we’ve dropped away in the second half of meetings there before, we didn’t tonight and kept pushing right to the end and to come away with a 10-point win is great.

“I thought the track was good and there was some really good racing tonight. It would have been a good meeting to watch. It was nice to have good weather there and not to race in really wet conditions. Danny King is fine after his fall; it was a classic unsatisfactory start. I was really pleased to see him start the season so strong. I just think overall it’s so positive for everyone we’ve not shown any rustiness, and that goes down to the preparation that the boys put in through the winter.

“Tom changed bikes after two rides and was extremely quick after that, which is good to see after a tough first couple of rides that he can then turn it on for a couple of wins.

“Anything can happen, certainly at these early stages of a season and Belle Vue are an extremely good side. They are league champions for good reason. We certainly can’t relax going into Thursday but if we share the same level of focus and commitment as we did tonight, it’s with us to get the job done and progress.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted for Thompson as the star man for Ipswich after the reserve scored 8+2 after four second place finishes.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich take a healthy 10-point lead back to Suffolk for the second leg of the quarter-final on Thursday at Foxhall.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 27th March in a Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

HAWKINS BACKING CLASS OF 2025 FOR SUCCESS

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By Rob Binns

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins has high hopes for the 2025 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership season.

Hawkins is excited for the season to get underway and believes that after last season’s injury struggles, the Witches are ready to win the league title.

He said: “It’s good to get back, especially after last season and how it ended. It’s nice to be back and have everyone positive, fit again and ready to go. Between this side, they’ve won absolutely everything in the sport and now we need to do it together as an Ipswich team. It’s been a long while since we’ve won team trophies, and we’ve lost a lot of finals that I can pinpoint every one where they went wrong.

“I think winning the Knockout Cup [in 2023] got that monkey off our back and I believe we would’ve won one or two trophies last year if it hadn’t been for the injuries. I think this is a team, if we can keep them together, that is mentally strong enough to get ourselves over the line this time.”

Ipswich go into the new season with six of the seven riders from last year with Tom Brennan coming in in place of Keynan Rew and Hawkins spoke of the importance of keeping this group together.

He said: “Everyone was great to work with and obviously we were flying before the injuries struck so we wanted to keep it pretty similar. Everyone knew Danny (King) would be back fit, Doyley (Jason Doyle) as well and Emil (Sayfutdinov) coming back is always a big bonus every year so yeah, everyone is back fit, and we hope to pick up from where we were before the injuries.

“Just one change in bringing in Tom who has rode for us a lot anyway, so it keeps things pretty similar. He’s settled in well; we’re quite a heavily British side and all the Brits know each other well and he rides with Doyley anyway so we’re a close-knit group. When guests come in it’s something I’m looking at, that they fit into that as well before you sign them permanently, so it’s been pretty simple for him to slot in with us.

“[Over the winter] they’ve seen each other about when they’re practicing, and we’ve kept in touch. Everyone was initially concentrating on getting back fit and it’s nice to have a little break, but everyone is really keen to get going again now. We’ve kept a good team spirit in the majority of my time here and I think that’s led to the majority of good results. Someone like Adam (Ellis) is paramount in that and it makes a big difference when things are tough like last year and in previous years when we’ve been successful against all odds.

“I’ve got a very good relationship with all the boys, and I know how they work now, most of them. It’s certainly working, you can’t allow for injuries, but our results have been good. I’ll give them absolutely everything and they know that and that’s the main thing.”

Hawkins insists the Witches’ aim for the 2025 season is to win trophies but knows there’s a lot of work to do starting with the quarter-final of the Knockout Cup against the Belle Vue Aces.

“Our goal is to win both trophies and do the double. I think that’s a realistic goal as well but that’s a long way off and the toughest test we could have is at Belle Vue in this first meeting. Opening nights can always be banana skins and we’ve got the hardest test possible against the reigning league champions.

“They’re definitely one of the top three sides on paper, probably us and them are the top two sides on paper in the league. We couldn’t have asked for a tougher test so if we can get through this week then we’ll have a bit of time to relax into the league before the next round of the cup.”

PREMIERSHIP CONFIRMS 2025 PARTNERS

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BRITISH Speedway’s Premiership will race into the 2025 season with an increased number of partnership arrangements in place.

With league title sponsors ROWE Motor Insurance back for a second year, all of the 2024 league partners have renewed for the upcoming campaign.

We welcome back Roger Warnes Transport, Power Maxed, MediaCo and Steel Seal and thank them for their continued support.

Joining as new Premiership Partners for 2025, we are delighted to receive support from Arctic Cabins, Cabin Master, The Awning Company and Teng Tools.

Full details of all Premiership Partners are available from https://britishspeedway.co.uk .

RACEDAY GUIDE | BELLE VUE (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Manchester to face the Belle Vue Aces at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday 24th March in a Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

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

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

REFEREE: M. Breckon

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS: Birmingham v Leicester, King’s Lynn v Oxford, Belle Vue v Ipswich.

TICKET NEWS

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

LIVE COVERAGE

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

THE PREVIEW

The Witches begin their 2025 campaign with a tough assignment away at Belle Vue on Monday in the Knockout Cup.

It is a familiar looking side to Ipswich fans with just one change to the team over the winter as Tom Brennan replaced Keynan Rew. The former British Under-21 champion makes his debut for the club at a place he knows well, having started his Premiership career with the Aces back in 2021 where he won a league title with the club in 2022.

Jason Doyle returns to the side at number one for the first time since last May, having missed the majority of last season after snapping two tendons in his left shoulder and tearing his rotator cuff following a crash at King’s Lynn. The former world champion has been back in action on British shores over the last week and looks to have hit the ground running in pre-season.  

Having finished as winners and runners-up in the past two editions of the Knockout Cup, it is competition that Ritchie Hawkins’ side have become used to going far in. Ipswich will be hoping to win their first ever meeting at the National Speedway Stadium having lost all 12 of their previous fixtures raced in Manchester but if that does not happen, keeping the score tight for the second leg at Foxhall is a must.   

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“It is the toughest draw we could have got in the cup and the toughest place we could go to start the season. We know it is the only place we didn’t win at last year and the only place we have never won. It is two of the best teams in the competition, so we know how difficult it is going to be.

“We have got a lot of riders coming back from injuries after last year so it could be tough, but we also have a great line-up. Belle Vue have been extremely successful over the last few years although they have started slowly in the past so maybe now is the time for us to catch them cold and finally get a win at the National Speedway Stadium.

“We are going to start the Knockout Cup with this riding order and then we will review it after that. Danny, Tom and Adam will be mixed around during the season to see what we think is best. Danny has had a long, established career but I don’t think he has spent much time at number two, if any. In a sense, it is a position that could suit him, you get out on track a lot on the grippier surfaces. Now his hand is fixed and he can hold on, that is something that could work well for him and it is a nice number to ride at. He had a tough year last year so hopefully that can work in his favour.

“Adam and Tom get on very well and should be a strong pairing, as good as any other three and four in the league, so I am very hopeful it is going to gel and work well.”

BELLE VUE ACES

The hosts come into 2025 as the reigning ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions although they suffered an early exit in this competition last season, bowing out to Sheffield in the quarter-finals. Like the Witches there have been few changes to the side over the winter with just two ‘new’ faces to the team that finished 2024.

Zach Cook has replaced his brother Ben in the Aces side whilst Tate Zischke has recovered from injury to take his place back in the side as Antti Vuolas makes way. Zischke was signed by the Manchester club last season but made just one appearance, against Ipswich, where he crashed out and fractured seven vertebrae and five ribs, along with suffering a posterior injury.

LAST TIME OUT IN MANCHESTER

The Witches last travelled north in July of 2024, and it was a night to forget as the Aces ran out 58-26 winners. Lidsey raced to a 12-point maximum whilst only Sayfutdinov offered up any resistance for the away side scoring 10 points.

AWAY DAYS

Ticket prices can be found here and official programmes cost £3.50. For more information about your visit to the National Speedway Stadium, head here.

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