Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture with Birmingham.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Birmingham Brummies at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 6th June in a Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Chris Harris (G) 9.36 2. R/R for Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Sam Masters (G) 7.50 4. Adam Ellis 5.95 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.24 © 6. Keynan Rew 4.15 7. Jordan Jenkins 4.00 8. Freddy Hodder. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Fredrik Lindgren 8.00 2. R/R for Steve Worrall 6.19 3. Wiktor Lampart 4.63 4. Justin Sedgmen 5.07 5. Tom Brennan 6.64 © 6. Piotr Pawlicki 4.48 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

REFEREE: G. Allen

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich

King’s Lynn vs Sheffield

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 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 STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches entertain the Birmingham Brummies at Foxhall on Thursday night in the second leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final tie.

The two sides met at Perry Barr Stadium on Monday in the first leg, and it was the Witches who fought back from behind to pull off a shock win despite having just three of their own riders due to injuries and illness. The Suffolk side hold a two-point lead going into Thursday, knowing that any kind of win or draw will see them progress to the final for the second year in a row as they look to retain the trophy.

It’s mixed news on the injury and illness front for the hosts. Skipper Danny King is not ready to return just yet and Sam Masters guests in his place. With Jason Doyle ruled out for the rest of the season, the management are assessing options of how he can be replaced but for Thursday it is Chris Harris who guests at number one. Dan Thompson is ruled out with illness and rider replacement will be in operation at number two. The positive news comes in the form of Adam Ellis who is back in the side at number four following a dislocated shoulder. Freddy Hodder will be our number eight rider.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Despite our injury problems I feel we still have a strong side out on Thursday. We have a couple of guests in that we know can do a really good job at Foxhall and with rider replacement for Dan and the form Keynan has been showing as well as Jordan’s form picking up, we hope we can cover those rides well. It will be great to have Adam back for this and we are hoping it is a success ahead of Saturday’s British Final.

“We have a two-point lead, but they will be coming here to overturn that, and we know how quickly things can change and fall apart in speedway. we have to be focused and make sure we get the win and keep that fighting spirit we have shown so far this season to get ourselves in the position we are in despite some adversity.

“Danny is still undergoing intense physio and the recovery is taking a little longer than we had hoped but he is still trying his very best to be back for the British Final on Saturday and then we will look to see if he can be back with us next week and we all look forward to that but we still need to leave it day by day for his recovery.

“We are still looking at options for Doyley, we are in a great position at the moment and if we can do anything we want to make sure it is the right move but I’m sure as everyone can appreciate it is a difficult task and not one to be rushed. We will look at options and see what we can do, and we will do what is best for Ipswich speedway and do our very best to make us the strongest team out on track.”

THE BRUMMIES

Birmingham’s season is really not going to plan so far, with the club struggling in the league the Knockout Cup represented a new opportunity for them but a shock home defeat to the depleted Witches on Monday leaves them with it all to do in the second leg of this semi-final. The visitors can take positives from their last visit to Foxhall where they ran Ipswich close before being defeated 49-41.

There is a boost for the away team ahead of this fixture with the news that new signing Fredrik Lindgren is clear to make his debut for the club. The world number two who currently sits seventh in the Grand Prix standings comes in and replaces Zach Cook in the side. Rider replacement will be in operation for Steve Worrall who has labyrinthitis.

RACEDAY REPORT: BIRMINGHAM 44-46 IPSWICH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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Image courtesy of Phil McGlynn

By Rob Binns

THE SCORES

BIRMINGHAM 44: Tom Brennan © 9, Wiktor Lampart 4, Zach Cook 5+1, Justin Sedgmen 15+1, Steve Worrall R/R, Piotr Pawlicki 10+2, Leon Flint (RS) 1+1. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

IPSWICH 46: Jason Doyle R/R, Freddy Hodder (G) 0, Scott Nicholls (G) 2, Norick Blödorn (G) 12+1, Emil Sayfutdinov © 15+1, Keynan Rew 13+2, Jordan Jenkins 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: A. Steele

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich

King’s Lynn vs Sheffield

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches battled through their injuries to produce a stunning 44-46 fightback victory against the Birmingham Brummies at the Perry Barr Stadium in the Knockout Cup semi-final first leg.

The visitors were once again without the injured Danny King, Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis with Dan Thompson also forced to pull out on the morning of raceday due to illness. Rider replacement was being used for Doyle by the Witches and for Steve Worrall by the Brummies whilst Scott Nicholls, Norick Blödorn and Freddy Hodder were guests for Ipswich. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 15+1.

The hosts claimed an early heat advantage in heat one which was won by Tom Brennan with Nicholls producing a smart overtake on Wiktor Lampart to prevent a Brummies maximum. Piotr Pawlicki won a shared heat two before Nicholls was excluded from heat three as he packed up at the tapes which also saw Zach Cook hit the tapes. In the re-run Pawlicki, reserve substitute for Cook, took the chequered flag with Justin Sedgmen in second for a Birmingham maximum. Sayfutdinov and Keynan Rew hit straight back with an Ipswich maximum in heat four to make it 13-11 to the hosts.

Sedgmen took the win in a Birmingham heat advantage in heat five before Brennan won heat six under heavy pressure from Sayfutdinov with Lampart in third to earn another Brummies 4-2. Blödorn produced a fantastic ride including a great pass on the inside of Sedgmen to win a shared heat seven. Jordan Jenkins won a shared heat eight to take the score to 27-21 Birmingham.

The hosts earned another heat advantage in heat nine courtesy of Sedgmen and Cook. Referee Tony Steele judged that one of the riders had moved early on the start line which saw heat 10 re-run. Nicholls hit the tapes in the restart which saw Rew come in as a reserve substitute and he raced to victory with Blödorn close behind for a Witches maximum. Sayfutdinov defended Pawlicki brilliantly to win a shared heat 11. Rew produced a stunning move to pass both Brummies riders in the same corner and win a shared heat 12 to take the scores to 38-34 to the hosts.

Blödorn and Sayfutdinov hit a crucial maximum in heat 13 with the Witches guest taking the chequered flag. Sedgmen won a shared heat 14 to keep the tie level going into the final heat. Sayfutdinov and Blödorn were selected by Ritchie Hawkins and they produced the goods, riding to a heat advantage that secured a narrow lead going into the second leg as the Ipswich number five took the victory in the decisive heat 15.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

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

“After a very stressful day with losing Dan this morning to illness, I’m absolutely delighted with the fight from the boys. Obviously, we were down early and fighting all meeting, but the spirit here seems to be rubbing off onto our guests! It made it all worthwhile coming away with a win for all the effort today.

“Freddy had a free pass; he wasn’t expected to do anything, but he actually really impressed me, and I thought he was right on the pace. If the boy can ride like that then he’s got a big future. I felt that with the other five, we always had a chance of winning the meeting and that proved the case even though Scotty had a bad day, but Norick had an exceptionally good day and so did Kenny. Thanks to all the guests for their efforts because they were superb and really fit into the team well.

“It leaves us in a great position going into Thursday, but we’ll have another couple of guests and rider replacement again so it’s still going to be tough. They have still got a very solid team so we can’t relax off, we need to keep fighting. We certainly want to get through to a cup final and we’re in a great position again to do that.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Rew scored 13+2 and produced some superb rides at key moments in the meeting to help the visitors battle back from eight points behind to lead.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich take a narrow two-point lead back to Foxhall for the second leg as they bid to retain the Knockout Cup.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Birmingham Brummies at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 6th June in the Knockout Cup. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

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

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Image courtesy of Jeff Davies

By Henry Chard

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

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to face the Brummies at the Perry Barr Stadium on Monday 3rd June in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Tom Brennan 6.64 2. Wiktor Lampart 4.63 3. Zach Cook 4.84 4. Justin Sedgmen 5.07 5. R/R for Steve Worrall 6.19 6. Piotr Pawlicki 4.48 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Freddy Hodder (G) 4.46 (RS) 3. Scott Nicholls (G) 7.50 4. Norick Blödorn (G) 5.95 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.24 © 6. Keynan Rew 4.15 7. Jordan Jenkins 4.00. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: A. Steele

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

Birmingham vs Ipswich

King’s Lynn vs Sheffield

TICKETS

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

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches are back at Birmingham for the second time in a week as they face the Brummies in the Knockout Cup semi-final.

A depleted Witches side pushed Birmingham all the way last Monday before succumbing to a 49-41 defeat as the hosts then won a super heat for the aggregate bonus point. The Suffolk side then secured their spot in the last four of the cup after they beat Leicester at Foxhall on Thursday despite all of their injury troubles.

The visitors remain without the injured trio of Danny King, Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis for this fixture and on raceday have lost Dan Thompson to illness. Ipswich have been rocked by the news that Doyle will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a shoulder injury sustained in that crash at King’s Lynn.

Rider replacement is once again in operation for Doyle at number one whilst Scott Nicholls guests again for King, having scored 17 points for Ipswich against Leicester. Norick Blödorn comes in a guest for Ellis at number four and Freddy Hodder will replace Thompson, who has Covid. There’s also a change in the riding order due to a new set of averages with stand-in captain Emil Sayfutdinov now at number five.

Ritchie Hawkins will be hoping his patched-up side can improve on last week’s defeat at Perry Barr before bringing the Brummies back to Foxhall later in the week for the second leg as the holders look to retain their title and reach the final again.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“All of us at the club are gutted with the news on Jason’s injury, not just for us but for him personally. He has started the season flying and was really looking set to attack the Grand Prix and fight for another world title. He was in superb form all over the world and it is a huge loss for us but I’m sure he will stay around the team and the club because his influence and presence will still contribute and be a bonus for the team.

“I’m delighted welcome back Scott again; he was booked a while ago knowing we were going here, and Adam wouldn’t be fit for this meeting. Scott was lined up straight away and he is tremendous form this season and has done a terrific job for us, and we are delighted to have him again. We will keep calling on him as often as possible for both parties.

“We welcome Norick into the side and we are delighted to have the opportunity for him to have a guest booking for us, I’m sure he will be keen to do well, and it will be our first opportunity to work with him. He is a really nice kid and is doing really well, he made his first GP appearance recently and I’m sure he will enjoy it with us.

“Suitable number ones are hard to come by and we have spoken to a few riders to guest in place of Jason but unfortunately none of them are available so we will be running R/R which means the rest of the team need to step up. It is a great opportunity for them, and it is an extra race for them, and they need to keep stepping up like they did last Thursday and try and cover Jason the best we can.

“We struggled last Monday but this is a cup semi-final now and we want to retain that trophy. We were so proud to win it last year and we want to keep hold of it. It is a big week for the boys, and we are determined to qualify, and I feel we are in a better position this week than we were last week, a few of the boys being there recently should help them and we have the team line-up better this week. After our performance last Thursday which I thought was brilliant in the circumstances hopefully we can carry on that confidence, and we are going there looking to win the meeting and set ourselves up for Thursday.”

THE BRUMMIES

Birmingham were boosted by last week’s three-point haul against Ipswich but failed to build upon it as they followed it up with a heavy defeat at Sheffield on Thursday. They have it all to do if they are to make the top four after a poor start to the season, but the Knockout Cup presents a clean slate for the hosts as they look to take advantage of the Witches’ injury problems again and establish a healthy lead to take to Suffolk.

The hosts announced that new signing Freddie Lindgren would be joining the club from the beginning of June, but he does not make his debut in this fixture. There are big changes to the home team’s riding order with Tom Brennan now at number one and former number one Piotr Pawlicki now down at reserve. Wiktor Lampart is also now out of a reserve berth. Rider replacement is in operation for Steve Worrall who was taken ill yesterday and diagnosed with labyrinthitis at hospital.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £23, concessions £20, students (17-22 with proof of ID) £10 and children 16 and under go free. Official programmes cost £3.00 and car parking is £3.00. There is a modern three level grandstand extending for the full length of the home straight. On ground level there is a bar and refreshments area plus souvenir sales shop. Closed circuit television monitors show the racing and replays. There are also extensive bar and restaurant and light refreshment facilities.

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

DOYLE RULED OUT FOR THE SEASON

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By Henry Chard

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches have been rocked by the news that Jason Doyle will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Doyle was involved in a heavy crash at King’s Lynn in May, spiralling over the fence and landing on concrete. He suffered four broken ribs and a lung contusion as well as experiencing numbness in his left shoulder but was still hopeful of returning to action in the near future.

However, the Witches number one had further MRI scans on his shoulder at hospital two days after the crash and after further tests and scans in Poland on Friday the extent of the shoulder damage was confirmed. The former world champion has snapped two tendons and torn his rotator cuff which need immediate treatment.

Doyle will undergo an operation on Tuesday and will be on the sidelines for a period of four to six months meaning he will sit out the remainder of the campaign.

It comes as a huge blow to the Australian who had started the Grand Prix series strongly and sat third in the standings, having won Round 2 in Warsaw.

Everyone at Ipswich wishes Jason all the best in his recovery and he will remain part of the team in the pits at Foxhall this season.

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH (95) 47–43 (85) LEICESTER – KNOCKOUT CUP QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

Simply Climate Control – Simply Climate Control is a progressive business specialising in the design, supply and installation of heating, ventilation & air conditioning (hvac) systems for retail, commercial, industrial & domestic spaces.

Colin Bullard’s 80th Birthday

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 47: Emil Sayfutdinov © 13, Dan Thompson 3+1, Scott Nicholls (G) 17, Troy Batchelor (G) 3, Jason Doyle R/R, Keynan Rew 6+2, Jordan Jenkins 5+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER 43: Max Fricke © 5+3, Richard Lawson 12, Sam Masters 6+1, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Luke Becker 8+1, Craig Cook 5+1, Sam Hagon (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: B. Horley

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

Birmingham vs Ipswich

King’s Lynn vs Sheffield

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches progressed to the semi-final of the Knockout Cup after they beat the Leicester Lions on Thursday night at Foxhall.

The hosts were once again without three riders due to injury with Danny King, Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis all on the sidelines. Rider replacement was being used for Doyle whilst Scott Nicholls and Troy Batchelor were guests for Ipswich. The Witches held a six-point advantage after a first leg victory in Leicester and having exchanged maximums in the opening two heats, a string of 3-3s followed before Ipswich hit a couple of maximums that put them in the driving seat and ultimately it proved to be too much of an ask for the Lions to pull back as the holders reached the last four. Nicholls top scored with a superb 17 points.

It was the worst possible start for the home team as the Lions hit a maximum in heat one but heat two was stopped as Craig Cook slid off and was excluded. The Witches took full advantage in the re-run as Keynan Rew and Jordan Jenkins raced to a 5-1 to level the score on the night. Nicholls won a shared heat three and Emil Sayfutdinov did the same in heat four to leave the score 12-12.

Nicholls took another victory in a shared heat five and there was another 3-3 in heat six as Sayfutdinov breezed to the win. Nicholls was proving to be a fine choice of guest again as he took the chequered flag in heat seven but with Rew retiring with mechanical issues it meant another 3-3. The run of shared heats finally came to an end in heat eight as Jenkins and Dan Thompson teamed up for a big 5-1 that put the hosts 26-22 in front.

Nicholls continued his remarkable night with another three points in heat nine as the points were back to being shared again. The Witches were edging closer to the semi-final after heat 10 as Sayfutdinov and Rew added another maximum. The visitors kept their hopes alive in heat 11 with a maximum of their own but Nicholls took his fifth race win of the night in heat 12 in a 3-3 that left the hosts 38-34 up on the night and 10 points up on aggregate with just three to race.

Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag in heat 13 as Batchelor kept Max Fricke at the back for a 4-2 that sealed Ipswich’s spot in the semi-final with two races to spare. Ryan Douglas won a shared heat 14 and Richard Lawson denied Nicholls a six-ride maximum as he won heat 15 in a Lions 2-4 which made the final score 47-43 on the night and 95-85 on aggregate.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Leicester.

“I am absolutely delighted with tonight; we knew it was going to be a really tough test. Leicester have got as strong a side as anyone when you look at it on paper and obviously, we are having a really tough time with the team. Scotty was absolutely amazing, and Jordan and Keynan stepped up with some important rides from reserve and that is what made the difference tonight.

“It was one hell of a performance from Scott in tough conditions and he looked as good as anyone we have seen go around here. His points tally shows it, and it was a top performance. If we can get him in as a guest, he is always my first phone call, and it is just a shame we won’t be able to use him next week with the eight-day rule.

“It was Jordan’s best night, a good heat two and then he struggled in his next one, but he was able to turn it around in heat eight which was by far his best ride of the season around here. He looked quick when got in front and pulled away and I’m really delighted to see him win a race. Heat eight was when it turned in our favour, it was level before then but that is what swung it to us.

“The injured boys are all having treatment and hope to be back as soon as possible but until that treatment progresses, you can’t put a date on when they will be back.”

SIMPLY CLIMATE CONTROL & COLIN BULLARD RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

Colin Bullard, who was celebrating his 80th birthday, chose Nicholls who was almost unbeatable on the night, racking up an astonishing 17 points with five wins and a second place.

Simply Climate Control opted for Sayfutdinov who scored 13 points.

WHAT IT MEANS

Holders Ipswich are into the semi-final where they will face Birmingham, with the first leg at Perry Barr Stadium on Monday 3rd June and the second leg at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 6th June.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham on Monday 3rd June to face the Brummies in the Knockout Cup. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

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

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By Henry Chard

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

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 30th May in a Knockout Cup quarter-final second leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

Simply Climate Control – Simply Climate Control is a progressive business specialising in the design, supply and installation of heating, ventilation & air conditioning (hvac) systems for retail, commercial, industrial & domestic spaces.

Colin Bullard’s 80th Birthday

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.65 © 2. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Scott Nicholls (G) 7.50 4. Troy Batchelor (G) 5.74 5. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.18 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Jordan Jenkins 3.83. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.51 © 2. Richard Lawson 6.56 3. Sam Masters 6.91 4. Ryan Douglas 7.31 5. Luke Becker 6.45 6. Craig Cook 4.39 7. Sam Hagon (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: B. Horley

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

First Leg: Leicester 42-48 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich – Leicester

SEMI-FINALS

Birmingham vs Ipswich/Leicester

King’s Lynn vs Sheffield

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 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 STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches race the decisive second leg fixture against Leicester on Thursday at Foxhall in the Knockout Cup quarter-final.

The Witches were racing on Monday at Birmingham and despite being without three key riders they pushed the Brummies all night before succumbing to a 49-41 defeat and losing the aggregate bonus point after a super heat. It was a rare league defeat, but attentions now turn to the Knockout Cup with a place in the semi-final up for grabs for the holders.

The hosts are still without three of their big hitters for this crucial cup tie. Skipper Danny King is nearing a return after an operation on his hand but is not ready to return just yet. Grand Prix star Jason Doyle is on the sidelines with cracked ribs and a sore shoulder whilst Adam Ellis is also unavailable after dislocating his shoulder. Rider replacement is in operation to cover Doyle whilst Scott Nicholls and Troy Batchelor come in as guests for King and Ellis.

Ipswich hold a six-point lead over the Lions following a 48-42 win in the first leg and it will need a big effort on Thursday to see the Suffolk side finish the job and progress to the final four of the competition.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“On the injury front, I’m afraid there is nothing new to report, we have three injuries, and I don’t know when they are going to be back, it is too early to say at the moment.

“We go into Thursday with half a side again and bringing in a couple of guests. Luckily, we are bringing in two guests that know the club and track well who are not attached to other Premiership clubs at the moment. It is frustrating to have the injury problems we have now, we have had it before when we have had a really terrible week and lost three riders and that threw our season off. Luckily, we are in a stronger position at the moment than we were then, and we go into Thursday with a six-point lead and even with our problems we are determined and confident to win the meeting and progress to the next round.

“Leicester are a good side and have a lot of good riders and I think it would be a tough test even with our full side out. We saw two years ago what Batch can do when he clicks in, and we all know how good Scotty can be, so we are more than capable of covering the injuries if we all perform. We need to stick to together and for everyone to rally round each other as we still have a good chance of progressing.”

THE LIONS

Leicester have had a somewhat difficult start to 2024 having already suffered three defeats on home shale. One of those was that Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg defeat to Ipswich but they will fancy their chances in Suffolk of overturning that six-point deficit with Ipswich’s injury troubles. They come into the fixture after a big confidence-boosting win against Oxford on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The visitors made a team change this month with Sam Hagon replacing Joe Thompson as their Rising Star. The Lions have also made another team change this week with Craig Cook replacing Drew Kemp at reserve.

RACEDAY REPORT: BIRMINGHAM 49-41 IPSWICH – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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Image courtesy of Jeff Davies

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

BIRMINGHAM 49: Piotr Pawlicki 5+1, Steve Worrall © 10+2, Zach Cook 6+3, Justin Sedgmen 7, Tom Brennan 9+1, Wiktor Lampart 10, Leon Flint (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

IPSWICH 41: Emil Sayfutdinov © 19, Nicolai Klindt (G) 7, Jason Doyle R/R, Dan Thompson 1, Troy Batchelor (G) 6+1, Keynan Rew 6, Jordan Jenkins 2+2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SUPER HEAT FOR BONUS POINT: Sayfutdinov, Brennan, Worrall, Klindt

REFEREE: P. Carrington

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich1018
Belle Vue1117
Sheffield814
Leicester911
Oxford1011
Birmingham106
King’s Lynn*81
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were beaten by struggling Birmingham on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The visitors came into the fixture with huge injury problems, missing Danny King, Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis. Rider replacement was in operation for Doyle whilst Nicolai Klindt and Troy Batchelor guested in place of King and Ellis. Defending an eight-point lead for the aggregate bonus point, the depleted Ipswich side were level after nine races, but the home team stepped it up a gear in the next three races to establish a lead which they saw out. With the aggregate score tied, Birmingham then also claimed the bonus point after a heat advantage in the super heat. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 19 points.

Sayftudinov won a shared heat one before heat two was stopped after Leon Flint took a fall. Wiktor Lampart won the re-run in another 3-3. Justin Sedgmen led heat three, but Sayfutdinov lined the Birmingham man up and passed him going into the final lap to take the win as the two sides remained level. Guest Batchelor made the gate in heat four, but Tom Brennan rounded the Australian at the end of the first lap for the three points in a Brummies 4-2 which put them 13-11 ahead.

Sayfutdinov was a winner again in heat five and Klindt got past Segdmen for a point that levelled the score overall. Keynan Rew was excluded from heat six as he touched the tapes, but the hosts couldn’t take advantage in the re-run with Piotr Pawlicki having bike issues and finishing at the back behind Batchelor and Jordan Jenkins as Steve Worrall was victorious. There was passing at the front and back in heat seven as Brennan relegated Dan Thompson to the back but at the front Klindt charged past Lampart for the win in another 3-3. Klindt was back out again in heat eight and repeated the trick, taking the chequered flag as the scores remained level at 24-24.

Rew produced the goods to win heat nine, but Birmingham went ahead in heat 10 with a 5-1. Birmingham gated on another maximum in heat 11 but Sayfutdinov battled back to split the home pairing and limit the damage to a 4-2. The hosts fired in another maximum in heat 12 to extend their advantage and lead 41-31.

The visitors hit back in heat 13 as Sayfutdinov and Batchelor teamed up for a maximum. Sayfutdinov came out as a tactical substitute in heat 14 but he couldn’t get the better of Sedgmen as Birmingham confirmed victory with a 4-2 but it was all square on aggregate for the bonus point going into heat 15. Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag but with Klindt at the back it went to a super heat for the bonus point with the final score 49-41. Sayfutdinov was once again untouchable in the super heat but with Klindt at the back again it meant Birmingham claimed the bonus point.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

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

“We battled really hard and clearly, we are a depleted side. Troy and Nicolai came in and gave us everything, but it was a tough, wet night. Birmingham had a great opportunity to beat us tonight and they really took it and rode really well. We kept it tight for most of the meeting but had a blip in the second half of the meeting and couldn’t pull it back.

“Emil was superb, and I think it is the first time he has ever done eight races in a meeting before. To only drop two points from eight heats is superb and he looked brilliant, and it is much needed at the moment, so that is very positive going forward.

“Four of our team will have learnt a lot from this week, Dan normally goes well here but had his first bad meeting of the season and I’m sure he will put that right next week when we are here. Keynan had a couple of really good rides but made mistakes like touching the tapes which cost him the chance of having a better night. Jordan was right in the mix; he just needs to improve his starting. We will need to be better next week if we want to get anything, but we certainly showed signs we are capable.

“We lost the bonus point, but it is not vital to us with our position in the league but if we now start to struggle because we have lost a lot of riders then come the end of the year, this lead we have pulled out over the other teams will soon vanish. At the moment, it is not a concern, we have had a great start to the season in the league and we now focus on the cup where hopefully we get through on Thursday and then by the time the league action resumes, we hopefully have some bodies back in the side.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Sayfutdinov was once again in sublime form scoring a sensational 19 points from seven rides and a win in the super heat.

WHAT IT MEANS

Birmingham pick up three points but stay sixth in the table whilst Ipswich remain top despite going home empty-handed.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 30th May in the Knockout Cup. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture with Birmingham.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to face the Brummies at the Perry Barr Stadium on Monday 27th May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Piotr Pawlicki 7.50 2. Steve Worrall 6.14 © 3. Zach Cook 5.53 4. Justin Sedgmen 5.07 5. Tom Brennan 6.37 6. Wiktor Lampart 4.35 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.65 © 2. Nicolai Klindt (G) 7.50 3. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.18 4. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 5. Troy Batchelor (G) 5.74 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Jordan Jenkins 3.83. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: P. Carrington

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich918
Belle Vue1017
Sheffield712
Oxford911
Leicester89
Birmingham93
King’s Lynn*81
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

TICKETS

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

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches face another test on the road as they face the Birmingham Brummies on Monday evening in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The Witches were in action on Thursday at King’s Lynn where they managed to produce a sensational comeback to beat their local rivals in a super heat despite having lost Jason Doyle to injury and been 14 points down after eight races. Those three points took Ipswich back to the top of the table and made it three away wins on the bounce.

The visitors head to Perry Barr without their captain, the current world number three and Adam Ellis. Danny King is still recovering following an operation on his hand and Nicolai Klindt will guest in his place at number two. Doyle crashed out at King’s Lynn on Thursday and is suffering from some cracked ribs and a sore shoulder and rider replacement will be used at number three. Ellis suffered a dislocated shoulder on Sunday in France and Troy Batchelor will guest in his place at number five.

Ipswich have an eight-point lead having beaten Birmingham at Foxhall back in March as they hope to add more points to their already impressive tally despite their injury troubles.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“We are buzzing with our form and are in great spirits, but we are going to be missing Jason, Danny and Adam which is a big blow to us. It is the first time we have been there for a long time, but we have faced a lot of challenges already this season and have taken them in our stride. We will continue to do that on Monday even though we are depleted we are looking to get another victory and carry on this superb run we are on at the top of the league.

“Adam Ellis will be missing our trip to Birmingham after suffering a dislocated shoulder back home in France on Sunday. We await further news on the severity from the hospital in France and we thank Troy Batchelor for stepping in at late notice to guest.”

“It is a new track for some of the boys, but it is one we can adapt to quickly. It will be exciting for some of them, I know Emil thrives to race on different tracks and it is one for Keynan to learn again. I think it is a place that could suit us but the way we are going at the moment, we can perform anywhere. The position we are in, it is not vital that we win but we are going to be back there the following week as well. That might be in the cup or the league but is a place we will need to get our head around quickly with two meetings there in quick succession, we can’t afford to be taking too long to adapt.

“We are depleted but we are still looking to win as we always would do. It is not vital as such seeing as we are in such a good position after our great start to the season but we have got a great guest coming in with Nicolai and anyone can take a ride for R/R so we should still be strong. We are still putting out a strong side and are looking to win the meeting.”

THE BRUMMIES

Birmingham have found life tough in the top-flight and have just one win to their name from nine outings so far. Their sole win has come against Belle Vue whilst they have picked up a point after a super heat defeat at home to Sheffield. The Brummies currently sit sixth in the table and have not raced since 6th May.

The hosts brought in Justin Sedgmen for Vaclav Milik earlier this month and he will make his debut against the Witches on Monday. Tom Brennan, who proved to be an inspired guest for the Witches at King’s Lynn, is at number five for the hosts.

AWAY DAYS

Image courtesy of @BrumSpeedway on X

An adult ticket costs £23, concessions £20, students (17-22 with proof of ID) £10 and children 16 and under go free. Official programmes cost £3.00 and car parking is £3.00. There is a modern three level grandstand extending for the full length of the home straight. On ground level there is a bar and refreshments area plus souvenir sales shop. Closed circuit television monitors show the racing and replays. There are also extensive bar and restaurant and light refreshment facilities.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: KING’S LYNN 45-45 IPSWICH (IPSWICH WIN SUPER HEAT) – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1 (A)

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Picture courtesy of Ian Burt

By Rob Binns

THE SCORES

KING’S LYNN 45: Tobiasz Musielak R/R, Benjamin Basso 8, Niels Kristian Iversen 6+1, Michael Palm Toft 2, Nicolai Klindt © 14+1, Patryk Wojdylo 7, Anders Rowe (RS) 8+5.

IPSWICH 45: Emil Sayfutdinov 17+1 (Paid Maximum), Dan Thompson (RS) 4, Adam Ellis 9+1, Tom Brennan (G) 13, Jason Doyle © 0 (Withdrawn), Keynan Rew 0, Jordan Jenkins 2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SUPER HEAT: Ellis, Klindt, Sayfutdinov, Iversen

REFEREE: S. H. Kennett

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich918
Belle Vue1017
Sheffield712
Oxford911
Leicester89
Birmingham93
King’s Lynn*81
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches claimed an incredible comeback victory against local rivals the King’s Lynn Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

It looked like it was going to be an East Anglian Derby to forget for the Witches who lost stand-in skipper Jason Doyle when he was forced to withdraw following a very heavy crash in his first heat of the evening and they found themselves 14 points behind after heat eight. However, they produced an incredible fightback to earn and win a super heat and walked away from Norfolk with two points for the win and the aggregate bonus point. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with a faultless 17+1 paid maximum.

Sayfutdinov took the win in heat one with Dan Thompson in third earning the visitors an early heat advantage, but the hosts responded with a maximum in heat two. Adam Ellis was victorious in heat three with guest Tom Brennan in third earning a Witches 2-4. Doyle was involved in a hefty crash in heat four which resulted in him needing to go to hospital. After a lengthy delay, the re-run resulted in a maximum for the Stars to put them 14-10 ahead.

Sayfutdinov won a shared heat five before King’s Lynn earned another maximum in heat six. Nicolai Klindt and Patryk Wojdylo earned the hosts a heat advantage in heat seven with the Stars skipper taking the chequered flag. The Stars struck another maximum in heat eight to extend their lead to 31-17.

Brennan won heat nine with tactical substitute Sayfutdinov in second to earn the Suffolk side a much-needed maximum. The Witches guest took the win in another maximum in heat 10, this time with Ellis behind him. Sayfutdinov won heat 11 with Thompson in third to earn an Ipswich 2-4 before Ellis won a shared heat 12 to make it 38-34 to the hosts.

Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag again in heat 13 with Thompson in third for a heat advantage that secured the aggregate bonus point for the Witches. Brennan won a shared heat 14 which set up a dramatic final heat. Sayfutdinov took the victory in heat 15 with Brennan earning a heat advantage that levelled the meeting at 45-45. The Witches won the toss for the super heat with Ellis and Sayfutdinov choosing gates one and three. Ellis took the chequered flag with Sayfutdinov in third to complete an incredible Witches comeback as they made it five consecutive wins at the Adrian Flux Arena.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win at King’s Lynn.

“It wasn’t the night we wanted tonight but we got the result in the end. I am super proud of the lads, even if we ended up not getting the points in heat 15 or the super heat, I would have come away proud of how they turned it around and fought back. Obviously, it is a little bit sour because of our concern for Jason.

“Jason has gone to hospital, and we await further news. We have no news yet; it is very early days. He got up off the track and it was amazing to see him conscious, but he was in a lot of pain, and we will await news from the doctors.

“No one wants to see crashes and it was a sickening one, the influence Jason has in the pits and on our team, he is an amazing leader for us, and I think it hit everyone hard and it certainly showed in the next five heats after his crash where we really struggled, and our heads were down. It really shows the strength we have got in this team to turn it around and pull ourselves out of it. The 5-1 in heat nine was vital and it got everyone’s backs up. Heat 10 was the same again and we were back on a roll and focused. The mental strength we have shown tonight to turn that around after losing Jason is on a different level compared to many sides I have been involved in. That is the most pleasing thing for me.

“It was great to see Emil back to his sublime best and he was simply superb. I know he has been working hard on different equipment and stuff and he was absolutely immense tonight. It was brilliant to see, and we certainly needed it, it was sheer class.

“A massive thanks to Tom, what an outstanding job he did coming into the team. His rides in heats nine and 10 really turned things back in our favour and he was superb to work with as always. It was a great performance, and it is great to see such a talented British rider coming through and we thank him for his efforts. I am very much enjoying watching the great progress he is making in his career.

“I am delighted to beat King’s Lynn but for me I should have been absolutely buzzing coming away from that meeting, but our thoughts were with Jason really. We eagerly await news on him, and I am very proud of the boys managing to turn it around and get that win for him. Everything else is irrelevant but we are showing great character and what a great side to be involved in.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Brennan guested with 13 including wins in consecutive maximums in heat nine and 10 which proved to be the turning point of the meeting. It would be remiss not to stake a claim for Sayfutdinov as well who scored an incredible 17+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich move up to 18 points and regain top spot in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership whilst King’s Lynn remain bottom of the table but move back to a positive points tally following their points deduction.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham on Monday 27th May to face the Brummies in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

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

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By Henry Chard

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

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to face the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday 23rd May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

KING’S LYNN: 1. R/R or Guest for Tobiasz Musielak 8.33 2. Benjamin Basso 6.68 3. Niels Kristian Iversen 6.43 4. Michael Palm Toft 4.79 5. Nicolai Klindt 6.48 © 6. Patryk Wojdylo 4.63 7. Anders Rowe (RS). Team Manager: TBC

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.65 2. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Adam Ellis 5.74 4. Tom Brennan 7.50 (G) 5. Jason Doyle 9.18 © 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Jordan Jenkins 3.83. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S. H. Kennett

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue916
Ipswich815
Sheffield69
Leicester79
Oxford89
Birmingham93
King’s Lynn*70
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

TICKETS

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel across the border on Thursday evening as they face King’s Lynn in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The Witches beat the Stars at Foxhall earlier this month in a rain-curtailed meeting that ended 37-23 after 10 heats. With a 14-point lead, Ritchie Hawkins’ side will be aiming to pick up a win away from home and the aggregate bonus point to add three points to their already impressive tally.

Captain Danny King is still on the sidelines following an operation on his hand and Birmingham’s Tom Brennan guests in his place at number four. Ipswich have won on their last four visits to the Adrian Flux Arena.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“We are very much looking forward to our visit to King’s Lynn and we are hoping for a dry forecast so we can get some racing on. We are on a long winning streak home and away in the league against our local rivals and we know how important it is to beat King’s Lynn for everyone at the club but also, they are bottom of the league. Points wise and in the race for the play-offs it is important to win, and we are looking to walk away with three points, but they certainly showed at Belle Vue on Monday their capabilities with a great performance. We certainly need to carry on as we have been this season so far.

“Tom has always done well for us when he has guested before, and he is having a great season and pushing on again. He flew for Birmingham when he was at King’s Lynn earlier in the season and we enjoy having him with us in the side. He was the obvious choice for the meeting and is having a terrific season. He is a super young British talent and is someone I hope to work with more in the future.

“We will look to be solid throughout the team again like we have been in all of our away victories, that is what has brought those successes. We saw on Monday they were strong from reserve at Belle Vue, but we have been strong from one to seven and we are going to bring an extremely tough test being strong from heat leaders, second strings to reserves. We will bring it to them on Thursday and see what they have got.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn currently sit bottom of the table after an underwhelming start to the campaign. The Norfolk club have won just one of their seven fixtures so far although they have only raced twice at home due to numerous postponements. The Stars’ only victory has come on home shale against fellow strugglers Birmingham.

The home team are without number one and captain Tobiasz Musielak due to injury and are yet to confirm whether they will have a guest at number one or will be using rider replacement in his absence. Their team manager is also to be confirmed.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £23, concessions (disabled, 65 and over, students) £21, children (12-15 accompanied by adult) £5 and children under 12 go free. Official programmes cost £3.50. Facilities include free floodlit parking, seated grandstand, covered standing grandstand, restaurant, fully stocked bar and function room, four licenced bar outlets, merchandise stands, toilets and a first aid room. For travel information headhere.

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