The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches are back at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday for the visit of ROWE Motor Oil Premiership newcomers Birmingham.
The Witches begun their campaign last week with an impressive 51-39 victory over the Belle Vue Aces despite being without Grand Prix star Jason Doyle, who was at the birth of his daughter. The Australian returns to the line-up on Thursday as the Suffolk side take to the track as a full team for the first time in 2024.
A return to home shale gives the team the chance to build on last week’s positive start to the campaign and put another two points on the board as they look to gain confidence and momentum ahead of an important week in the Knockout Cup next week.
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…
“I’m delighted to be back at Foxhall after our very good performance last week and it is nice to be starting the season with home meetings. If we can avoid getting caught cold early on it is nice to get into the season with a winning habit.
“We are delighted to welcome Jason back and have our first meeting as a full team and we will stay with the same riding order.
“Adam had a tough heat one last week but then improved every race and I am pleased with how he has come into the side. He has lit up the place with his personality, it is like he has never been away, and he has been away a long time, but you would never think it!
“It was great to see Danny start the season well; I always feel he needs a bit of time to ride himself into the season, but I think all the hard work he has put in over the winter and over the last few years on his equipment is going to reap the rewards this season.
“Dan was my star man last week, his first meeting at number seven back in the top league after his injury and missing the end of last season and it was probably up there with the best he has ridden at Ipswich. To come straight back and perform like he did, I was delighted with him.
“It is great to have Birmingham back in the top league and they will have a warm welcome from us and I’m sure all the fans are looking forward to seeing a new club and some new talent on show. Having watched a lot of Vaclav Milik and Wiktor Lampart, they will certainly provide a lot of entertainment at Foxhall.”
Birmingham are back in the top-flight of British Speedway for the first time since 2014. The Brummies have been regulars in the Championship in recent seasons, finishing seventh in 2023 before deciding to make the step up in 2024. The West Midlands outfit have raced two fixtures so far, running the Oxford Spires close at Sandy Lane in a 47-43 defeat before losing a Super Heat at home to Sheffield on Monday.
As well as being a new team to the division there are some fresh faces for Ipswich fans to look out for at Foxhall. Czech Republic star Vaclav Milik has had spells in British Speedway before, but Thursday will be his fist visit to the Suffolk track whilst it will also be a debut at Ipswich for the Polish rider Wiktor Lampart.
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.
Preview by Henry Chard – Feature Image Jeff Higgott – British Speedway
