Ipswich Witches column: Excitement building for Witches fans ahead of long-awaited first home meeting of the season against Leicester Lions
Ipswich Witches fans will be excitedly looking forward to welcoming their 2023 team to Foxhall Stadium tomorrow night, as the Suffolk side begin their home campaign in front of what is sure to be a bumper crowd.
Leicester Lions are in town in a knock-out cup quarter-final, first leg clash, 7.30pm start, the Lions including multi-British champion and the ever-exciting Chris Harris in their team, as well as GP star Max Fricke and fellow Aussie ace Nick Morris.
The Witches will be hoping it’s third time lucky on a Thursday after the original first leg of this cup clash – at Leicester – was rained off last Thursday. That after the Thursday before saw the Witches’ opening night meeting against Peterborough also fall victim to the weather.
Which simply means the excitement keeps building for Ipswich fans as they look to welcome their 2023 heroes to Foxhall - and it is quite easy to understand why.
The return to British Speedway of former world No.3 Emil Sayfutdinov and a team place at Ipswich has already got the pulses racing, not just in Suffolk, but right across the UK.
Sayfutdinov arrived in Britain with big expectations this year and he has already obliged early on, with a pulsating meeting at Peterborough 10 days ago, where he rattled up 14 points, as the Witches got their only meeting of the season so far off to a winning start at the East of England Arena.
Coupled with 2017 world champion, Jason Doyle, who got a paid 14 that same night, leading the Witches this year and it’s not hard to see why Ipswich fans can’t wait to see their team in action.
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Danyon Hume is hoping to make a big impact this season.
The 26-year-old Witches reserve has been handed a starting place in the Ipswich line-up in 2023.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for him to kick-on his career. And he admits having riders like Doyle and Sayfutdinov alongside him in the pits could be just what he needs.
While Hume didn’t score many points at Peterborough in the Witches only meeting so far this season, he was very much on the pace.
“I’m determined to grab this opportunity,” he said.
“Having riders like Jason Doyle, Emil and Danny King around me can only bring me on as a rider. When you are in that group of people it is only going to bring you on. And they’ve all been such a help.
“Last year when I was pitted up next to Jason, you pick up little things, if I was struggling with a set-up, just ask and they’re there. Their experience is massive.
“Same with the mechanics, they all get involved. It’s a really good spirit.
“And now we have Emil. It feels like he’s always been part of the team and he’s only been here a few weeks. He’s so chilled and it’s great to have him with us.”
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Witches No.1 Jason Doyle was in superb form at Belle Vue on Monday night in the prestigious Peter Craven Memorial.
Doyle won the six-rider final for the fourth time in his career, seeing off fellow Grand Prix stars, Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley in the process. Doyle has already won the Sam Masters Testimonial meeting at Wolverhampton earlier this season.
“To win this meeting for a fourth time at Belle Vue is something that will always be close to my heart,” said Doyle.
“We had the speed which you need here because you can be very vulnerable, it’s such a fast track. I went back to Australia in the winter and sold my old stuff and got all my new engines. That was the plan to head back home.
“You have to savour these moments of winning events.”
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It's 25 years since Ipswich Witches last won the league title.
1998 was the year and the all-conquering Witches, led by Tony Rickardsson, Chris Louis and Tomasz Gollob dominated the Elite League, as it was known then, winning that as well as the KO Cup and League Cup.
Polish ace, Gollob, was the mystery, yet thrilling, signing that season. Well known on the world stage, the exciting Pole was new to British Speedway in 1998. But his brilliance shone through as he helped the Witches to a stunning season.
He became known as the ‘Dark Warrior’ among Ipswich fans, who took him to their hearts, in what was a remarkable season at the club.
Those Witches fans who remember Gollob, are hoping Sayfutdinov can bring his eastern European magic to Foxhall in 2023 and help the team to the same glory of ’98.
The Russian has ridden in England before, but that was 12 years ago as a young rider learning his art. Since then, he has become a world star.
Will lightning strike twice 25 years on?
Witches fans will be hoping so.
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Admission for fans on race night at Foxhall: Adults (17+) £22, concessions (65+) £20, children (16 and under) free, car parking is also free.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Thurs., April 6, LEICESTER (HOME), 7.30pm, KO Cup.
Thurs., April 13 BELLE VUE (HOME), 7.30pm, Premiership
Mon., April 17 Leicester (Away) 7.30pm. KO Cup.
Thurs., April 20 SHEFFIELD (HOME) 7.30pm, Premiership
Thurs., May 1 KING’S LYNN (HOME) 2.30pm, Premiership
