Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2009 21:40:54 GMT
Taken from today's Evening Star:
Piotr warming-up for Foxhall in -22C MIKE BACON
Last updated: 08/01/2009 12:15:00
PIOTR Swiderski is using the freezing conditions currently being experienced around Europe to prepare himself for the summer season ahead at Foxhall.
The Ipswich Witches' Polish star, and one of the first riders to sign for the Suffolk side for 2009, is practising his speedway on a frozen lake near his home in Rawicz, while temperatures in Poland plummet to -22 degrees.
But the heart-warming news for the Foxhall faithful is that Swiderski, who upped his average by almost three points in 2008, can't wait for the season to start. And he predicts big things for the Witches.
“I have looked at the Ipswich team this season and I like the look of it,” Swiderski said.
“We have no big stars. We are not just two top riders and no one else any good. We have a good team.
“The team is young and I really like the look of it.”
Swiderski is hoping to build on the excellent preparation he feels was crucial to his success last year as he moved from reserve to No.1 in the Foxhall side in thrilling fashion.
“I prepared well last season and that was important,” he said. “Riding at a club like Ipswich helped, with people I felt comfortable with and a nice track. That's why I was quick to re-sign.”
Despite finishing top of the First Division averages in Poland last season, Swiderski has resisted the temptation to move up into the Extra League in Poland, moving instead to another First Division club, Tarnow.
“I had offers to join a couple of Extra League clubs, but quite honestly the deals weren't that great and at Tarnow I'm guaranteed a place in the team every week.
“I hope to make the Grand Prix series in 2010, but qualifying from here in Poland is so very hard because there are so many good riders.”
Swiderski is also on the look out for local sponsorship in the Ipswich area as he builds up his equipment towards the new season.
“I would be grateful of any help from people in Ipswich, and in return I will find time to visit factories or businesses with my bikes and meet people, sign some autographs, that sort of thing.”
Anyone interested can contact Piotr through by e-mailing Paul Fitzell at swiderski-racing@live.co.uk, or by calling 07984 411388.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2009 14:05:43 GMT
Sorry Badge I don't know which rule it is. It was something which I had heard just after the AGM and again from one of our promotion in a general conversation at a Christmas party. Darcy wasn't named in particular, just that doubling up was for riders who had an actual 2008 average and not assessed. No doubt when Ipswich declare their team to the BSPA for approval all will become clear then one way or another. Would appear this is correct The question has been raised on the Panthers forum as to why the Panthers didnt try and use him and Mick Bratley has replied because the rules dont allow it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2009 17:08:24 GMT
Chris Louis, has just been on the radio and stated that he will not be riding in 2009, but will not rule out 2010, along with Mark Loram too. They may possibly have a ride this season sometime just to see how their respective injuries are healing. He did say that he could probably survive riding again ATM, but probably wouldn't survive crashing And this from the Evening Star: Louis not ruling out a return to track 15 January 2009 | 11:10 ELVIN KING IPSWICH Witches speedway stalwart Chris Louis has not ruled out a return to the track.
The 39-year-old has not ridden since breaking his upper arm last April, and has not been included in the Witches side for the 2009 Elite League season.
But he is still looking to make a return and he confirmed: “I don't envisage riding this year, but it might still happen. There is slow progress still, but the healing is now speeding up a little.
“If I don't return to the track in 2009 it could happen in 2010.”
Louis will continue in his role as Ipswich manager working with his father, promoter John, and team manager Pete Simmons as well as continuing his TV work with Sky Sports.
And having returned from a lengthy family break in Australia he expressed his delight at the make-up of the Ipswich side.
“It is a super side,” said Louis, who has been an ever-present with Ipswich since 1989.
“The lads will be an entertaining bunch, and they could prove interesting in the early stages.
“We are all looking forward to the challenge and I am planning to help them all.
“Leigh Lanham will be under a certain amount of pressure from fans on his return to his 'home' circuit, but I know he will cope and become a force for us.
“Piotr Swiderski desperately wants to move on from the huge advances he made in 2008, while it is great to have Daniel King back. He will feel he has two points to prove to Ipswich fans - that he has improved since he has been away and that there is still more to come from him.
“And in Polish reserve Dawid Stachyra we have acquired a rider with the right attitude.”
Louis says that the naming of the eighth member of the side - to share a reserve berth with the doubling up Darcy Ward - is not too far away.
British Speedway chairman Peter Toogood has confirmed a new Great Britain manager will be appointed shortly and that the shortlist is down to two.
Former Team GB skipper Louis has distanced himself from the job.
But the ex-world No. 3 says that he knows a man who would do an excellent job.
Louis is privy to the names in the frame and said: “I have not put my name in the ring, but I know of one candidate who would do an excellent job.”
n KING'S Lynn promoter Keith Chapman is predicting big things from exciting young Australian Ward, who will be doubling up with Ipswich Witches in the Elite League. Chapman believes the 16-year-old can achieve an 8.50 average in his first season of Premier League racing for the Stars.
He said: “This young man has a natural ability that I have not seen since the days of Michael Lee and Henka Gustafsson. His style is perfect, so natural and he makes going quick look easy.”
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 16:53:42 GMT
Well the "will he/won't he" ride for us has obviously been resolved, as Ipswich have just announced that Carl Wilkinson and Kozza Smith will D/U for the Witches.
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jan 23, 2009 17:02:09 GMT
Well the "will he/won't he" ride for us has obviously been resolved, as Ipswich have just announced that Carl Wilkinson and Kozza Smith will D/U for the Witches. One rule for CVS and another for the rest - you didn't really think the old Tiger would manage to confound CVS, did you? Come on, how many times over the years have the Witches received a fair crack of the BSPA's whip?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 17:08:51 GMT
Well the "will he/won't he" ride for us has obviously been resolved, as Ipswich have just announced that Carl Wilkinson and Kozza Smith will D/U for the Witches. One rule for CVS and another for the rest - you didn't really think the old Tiger would manage to confound CVS, did you? Come on, how many times over the years have the Witches received a fair crack of the BSPA's whip? Too true, now we have to see if Coventry try and use Wells . Wilko will be a welcome member of the team TBH, but know absolutely nothing about Kozza, although he was riding in the opening challenges we had last season but I can't for the life of me remember the lad.
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jan 23, 2009 17:21:10 GMT
But know absolutely nothing about Kozza, although he was riding in the opening challenges we had last season but I can't for the life of me remember the lad. You're unusual - most people remember Kozza Smith, seldom for favourable reasons.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 17:25:00 GMT
[Too true, now we have to see if Coventry try and use Wells . They can't. As I have said all along doubling up is not allowed on an assessed average.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 17:39:18 GMT
[Too true, now we have to see if Coventry try and use Wells . They can't. As I have said all along doubling up is not allowed on an assessed average. Absolutely correct ML, problem is they forgot to mention it at the AGM, and a bit like the Monberg scenario, they "mean't" to put can't ride with an assessed average. I suspect it will appear in the rule book as it is being printed as we speak, but trust me it was not in the minutes , but we have to accept the disappointment and move on, Wilko is a lovely lad.
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jan 23, 2009 17:43:48 GMT
Better change your signature, young lady.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 17:45:29 GMT
Better change your signature, young lady. will do
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 17:53:34 GMT
Blimey Badge, I'm surprised you don't remember Kozza at Kings Lynn, I doubt Chris Schramm will forget him in a hurry. Scary stuff.
Extremely upset and annoyed about Darcy. Still can't get my head round both John Louis and Colin Pratt not being aware of the assesed averages rule. Hmmm!!
|
|
|
Post by admin on Jan 23, 2009 17:56:14 GMT
Blimey Badge, I'm surprised you don't remember Kozza at Kings Lynn, I doubt Chris Schramm will forget him in a hurry. Scary stuff. You see what I mean, young badge?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 18:13:58 GMT
I think that Badge may have blocked it out of her mind it was so scary. Hope he's not that wild any more, but thinking about it Wilko can be pretty scary to watch too, so could be an interesting season ahead!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 18:14:56 GMT
[Absolutely correct ML, problem is they forgot to mention it at the AGM, Hmmmm. Okay then how did the Edinburgh promotion know about it? That's where I got it from and that was a while ago. Have you seen the minutes?
|
|