Returning Ipswich Tru7 Group Witches icon Scott Nicholls is backing British racer Tom Brennan to thrive in the No.1 spot as they prepare to launch their Rowe Motor Oil Premiership title defence.
Brennan played a key role in Witches ending their 27-year wait for a league title last season, and steps into the No.1 spot for 2026 at the helm of a true strength-in-depth side.
He will be backed up by Richard Lawson, Tobiasz Musielak and skipper Danny King, with Nicholls joining reserve duo Philip Hellstrom-Bangs and Jason Edwards in a rock-solid septet.
While Brennan has big shoes to fill at No.1 following the departure of Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov, Nicholls believes the double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion will thrive at the helm of the team.
He said: “Tom is very determined and has a bright future. He wants it, puts the effort in and is very professional. You possibly wouldn’t say he’s an out-and-out No.1, but on his day, he can be. We have seen some of the results he puts in. He also has the back-up there. We have strength in depth.
“Who knows? Being at No.1 may be just what Tom needs. It could be that the pressure will instil some confidence. Having No.1 on their back can make a rider more driven and better.”
Ahead of the Ipswich Speedway Supporters Club’s Meet the Riders night tomorrow, another man fans will be eager to see in action is Swedish newcomer Hellstrom-Bangs, who makes his British racing debut in 2026.
Nicholls believes his stint with the Witches can benefit both rider and club. He said: “We know the UK is a great breeding ground for young talent. The key thing is having the right people around him and the right head on his shoulders.
“He’s going to be around a lot of experienced people. If he comes in with the right attitude and he’s open minded, prepared to listen and try things, then that will only benefit his career, and that only benefits the club.”
Nicholls slots into the side as a second string on a bargain 5.26 average after missing the 2025 Premiership season, having only started the Cab Direct Championship campaign in July due to his recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in October 2024. He averaged 8.08 points for Plymouth in last year’s second tier but admits a lengthy stint on the sidelines wasn’t the ideal preparation.
Nicholls said: “I came in for the latter part of the season in 2025 and I wasn’t really ready. I hadn’t had any time on the bike and, as a consequence, my average probably dipped a little bit.
“Weirdly, that has done me a favour for this year. It’s quite unique with speedway. You can have a bad year, and it actually does you a favour.”
While Witches’ team building plans were put on hold due to the winter takeover, Nicholls is happy with the side incoming promoters Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm have assembled alongside new team manager Paul Hurry.
He said: “Ipswich had to look around for riders because they were late to the party, and I think the team compared to the others looks good. I think it has a lot of strength in depth. There is some excitement and some young talent coming through. From top to bottom, Ipswich has a bit of everything.
“The Ipswich team reminds me of the Dad’s Army team at Peterborough, when we won the league back in 2021. It wasn’t the strongest team on paper, but if every rider scores seven points, you win wherever you go.
“That can maybe take a little bit of pressure off Tom and people like him. But the riders will put the pressure on themselves, and that’s normally a good thing because they want to deliver.”