By Henry Chard
All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture with Leicester.
WHEN & WHERE
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester to face the Lions at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena on Thursday 18th July in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.
TEAMS
LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.31 © 2. Richard Lawson 6.53 3. Sam Masters 6.47 4. Luke Becker 5.93 5. R/R for Ryan Douglas 7.66 6. Craig Cook 4.88 7. Sam Hagon (RS) 8. Max James. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson
IPSWICH: 1. Scott Nicholls (G) 9.36 2. R/R for Dan Thompson 4.84 (RS) 3. Danny King 7.72 © 4. Adam Ellis 6.07 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.15 6. Keynan Rew 4.52 7. Jordan Jenkins 3.66 8. Freddy Hodder. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
REFEREE: M. Wear
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Ipswich | 15 | 29 |
| Belle Vue | 14 | 21 |
| Sheffield | 13 | 20 |
| Oxford | 16 | 18 |
| Leicester | 13 | 14 |
| King’s Lynn* | 11 | 9 |
| Birmingham | 14 | 6 |
TICKETS
Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here and on the gate.
THE STORY
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches resume their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign on Thursday night at Leicester.
The league programme halted last week for the Speedway of Nations and on Monday, the Witches’ home fixture against Belle Vue was postponed due to the bad weather forecast, meaning a two-week break from racing.
Ipswich have Scott Nicholls in as a guest again at number one for the injured Jason Doyle. It was hoped that Dan Thompson had a chance of taking his place in the side despite dislocating his shoulder less than a week ago at the Speedway of Nations 2 but it has come too soon for the Rising Star and rider replacement will be in operation at number two. Freddy Hodder will be at number eight.
The Suffolk side have had the better of Leicester so far this season with four wins from four against the Lions including two away victories and will be aiming to carry on that run on Thursday.
FROM THE BOSS
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…
“We are very much looking forward to getting back together as a team after our little break. The initial thoughts on Dan’s injury are that it is not too severe, and the dislocated shoulder went straight back in, and he is not in too much discomfort. We are hopeful of a quick return; Thursday has proved too soon and after visiting the GB Speedway Team physio, he plans to rest and recover this week with an aim to be back next week at King’s Lynn.
“We have had great success at Leicester in the last couple of years, some of them have been down to the superb performances of Dan. To miss him is a blow but the form the rest of boys have been in will give us a chance anywhere. We go there with great confidence with so many recent victories there.
“Scott will carry on at number one, when he is available, he will be in the team, we have made no secret of that, and Leicester is a place I know he will go well around. He will carry on in the role until we can find a replacement for Jason but that is looking a long way off at the moment.”
THE LIONS
Leicester sit fifth in the table just outside the play-off places after what could be described as an underwhelming season so far. The Lions have lost twice at home in the league and have picked up just one win on their travels and although the top four is still well within their reach, they cannot afford anymore slip ups at home.
The hosts are without the injured Ryan Douglas with rider replacement being used at number five. Stewart Dickson has changed both reserves this season with Craig Cook and Sam Hagon replacing Drew Kemp and Joe Thompson. Max James will be at number eight.
AWAY DAYS
An adult ticket costs £22, concessions £20, children (6-17) £1 and children aged 5 and under go free. There will be 235 free car park spaces available at the stadium with further free car parking facilities on the Beaumont Shopping Complex (maximum time of 4 hours). Three Coach/Mini Bus spaces, 15 Disabled spaces available, 15 Motorcycle spaces, Taxi drop-off point. For travel information head here.
For more information about the club head to Leicester’s official website.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway