Witches 2011

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Well no official team news yet, but hopefully some will be forthcoming fairly soon, however admission prices have been set, taken from ipswichspeedway.com:

Ipswich Speedway are pleased to announce details of Season Tickets and Admission Prices for the 2011 season.

Next year will see new teams visiting Foxhall bringing with them new riders. We are expecting to stage a minimum of 25 meetings in 2011; to include 19 league meetings, Knock Out Cup, local Trophy meetings and the 16 Lap Classic. This should lead to more variety and better continuity of racing.

We are offering two types of Season Ticket; one covers all meetings and the other covers league meetings only. They both include a free programme (except for the new Junior tickets). The league only ticket holders will receive their programme at non league meetings on presentation of their ticket.

As ever we are offering an early bird price for those purchased by 31st December.

Grandtand seat price remains at £15 for the season.

Please note that all 2010 season ticket holders will be receiving season ticket renewal forms through the post in the next couple of days.

Any new applications can be made by downloading a form here

Prices are as follows:

Season Tickets
Ticket Type All Meetings League Only
Up to 31st Dec 2010 1st Jan - 28th Feb 2011 Up to 31st Dec 2010 1st Jan - 28th Feb 2011
Adult £320 £340 £250 £270
*Concessions
(60 and over) £255 £275 £195 £215
**Students £255 £275 £195 £215
*Junior (6-15) £65 £70 £45 £50

Admission Prices
Adult £15
*Concessions
(60 and over) £12
**Students £12
*Junior (6-15) £4
5 and under Free

*Please bring proof of entitlement if you qualify for a concessionary or childs rate.
**Student rate is available to all those in full-time education up to the age of 22, a current student photo id card is required (issued by NUS or University/College).

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Taken from Lovespeedway.com:

Elite League has no future -Berry
By ELVIN KING
Wednesday, 1 December, 2010
15:11 PM


SPEEDWAY: John Berry has backed the decision of Ipswich Witches to move down to the Premier League in 2011

He says that he sees no future for the Elite League.

Berry now lives in Perth, Western Australia but still takes a keen interest in the goings on at Foxhall Stadium having been Witches promoter from 1969 until the mid-eighties overseeing most of the glory years of the shale sport in Suffolk.

He cannot see a successful Elite League while it is linked with the Grand Prix series and calls for British clubs to disassociate themselves from the world championship.

In his usual hard-hitting no holds barred manner, Berry backs current promoter John Louis and his son Chris, who have made the move after finishing bottom of the Elite League this year and struggling to make ends meet financially.

“The Elite League is teetering on the edge,” said Berry.

“It has been so eroded by the demands of the Grand Prix that it is no longer workable.

“Top stars appear to have little interest in their teams, other than to collect their inflated returns, the fixture list has become a total disaster as the clubs try to work around the ever increasing FIM event dates and the fans don’t know from match to match who will be representing their team, and if they will be in the mood to race.”

Berry sees no gain from the Sky Sports TV sponsorship that reportedly adds around £70,000 to each Elite League club’s annual income.

“They are hanging on to the TV deal as if it was a lifeline.

“I see it more as an albatross.

“The extra revenue gets swallowed up in extra costs and loss of turnstile income.

“Losing the TV arrangement will not be such a bad thing for the Ipswich promotion and supporters alike.

“Until the British Speedway Promoters’ Association cuts loose from the Grand Prix and re-emerges as an independent body - with collective determination to improve the product - the top flight will not be able to operate on a profitable basis.

“It will remain wholly dependent on being propped up by ‘sugar daddies’ that bolster their egos with handouts.”

Berry feels that long suffering Witches fans will gain pleasure from their favourites riding in the Premier League.

“I don’t think Ipswich Speedway had a great deal of choice in which direction they moved,” added Berry.

“Hopefully the supporters will benefit from a continuity of fixtures, a settled team personnel and maybe closer and more exciting racing.

“Certainly the lower league should also bring a greater degree of fun.

“Without a sugar daddy the Witches were never going to be able to put together a championship-winning team in the Elite League.

“In fact, they were more likely to remain strugglers.

“A drop to the lower league will at least give them a chance to be in the mix with other teams.”

Berry can see Ipswich going back in the top flight at some stage adding: “Even if it’s only a short-term situation until the Elite League comes out of its Alice-in-Wonderland trance and decides to make radical changes, I see the Witches decision as a no-brainer.”

After sharing promotion duties with Chris Shears for a while, Berry briefly acted as speedway’s overlord working for the Speedway Control Board before ‘retiring’ from the sport and moving out to sunnier climes.

Shears sold out to a consortium that included Dave Pavitt, John Louis and Mike Western and in their first two years at Foxhall they ran in the ‘second division’ before moving back up to the top flight in 1991 where the Witches have been ever since.

Louis has been sole promoter for a decade now with increasing help from his son once Chris’ riding career was ended prematurely by injury.

Both have given wonderful service to their home town club – John since 1969 and Chris since 1989.



As most dissenting Louis loathing fans quote John Berry and use him as a yardstick re-promoting at Foxhall, this is a vote of confidence for the Louis' decision I hope.

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Witches Director of Speedway Chris Louis has revealed that he will be announcing the complete 2011 Witches team on Wednesday 8th December. Commenting on the team Chris said, "I am so happy with the team that we have assembled, in some ways it's great to start with a clean sheet although it obviously presents some problems. Having listened to the views of our fans I believe there is something for everyone in the make up of this side, and I am sure it will both entertain and be in the mix at the business end of the season. I haven't been this excited about a new season for quite some time and I'm really looking forward to working with this bunch as is Pete Simmons who I am pleased to say will be remaining as team manager."

"I can't wait to hear the reaction from our fans on Wednesday, I'm certain they won't be disappointed."


From www.ipswichspeedway.com

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The Witches line up for 2011 is:

Ipswich Witches 2011


1. Kevin Doolan (AUS) 8.98
2. Chris Schramm (GB) 6.21
3. Taylor Poole (AUS) 6.11
4. Morten Risager (DEN) 6.10
5. Lasse Bjerre (DEN) 5.80
6. Chris Mills (GB) 4.99
7. Jerran Hart (GB) 4.28
Team Total 42.47
Team manager: Pete Simmons


Well happy with that line up, Kev Doolan has been a favourite of mine since he was our No 8 a few years ago, Schrammy well love him and his Dad, Morten did well for us a couple of season's ago and I suspect will thrive in the PL, don't need to say much about Poole and Bjerre except WOW, 2 very exciting young and talented lads, Jerran is obviously local and doing well, don't know much about Chris Mills but I expect I soon will.

Really looking forward to our season now ;D bring it on

[Deleted]

Ipswich Witches name Kevin Doolan as captain

Doolan won the Premier League treble with King's Lynn in 2006
Kevin Doolan has been confirmed as captain of Premier League-bound Ipswich Witches for next season.

The club have also confirmed that the 30-year-old Australian's switch from King's Lynn Stars is a permanent transfer rather than a loan move.

Director of speedway Chris Louis told the club website: "We have yet to finalise the payment terms.

"But I would like to assure fans that Kevin will be joining the Witches on a full transfer, which is fabulous news."

Doolan is set to be Ipswich's number one rider after previous skipper Scott Nicholls, along with every other member of last season's Elite League line-up, left Foxhall for pastures new at the close of the campaign.

The new team looks as if it's going to be strong on the track and off it as well as there are some great characters in there

Ipswich Witches captain Kevin Doolan
"Kevin was an important part of the jigsaw when it came to putting the new side together, not only to lead from the front on the track, but also as skipper in the pits," added Louis.

"I certainly don't expect him to be the only transfer move that we make ahead of our first season back in the Premier League either, as we aim to keep to our promise of re-establishing ourselves."

Doolan added: "It's a real honour to be named as the new Witches skipper. I did the job at Workington in 2009 and really enjoyed it.

"The new team looks as if it's going to be strong on the track and off it as well as there are some great characters in there."






news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/9287084.stm

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Millsy was with the Racers in 2008 and I talked to him quite a lot. He's a good honest bloke who calls a spade a spade which doesn't always go down too well with the management. His relationship with Tim Sugar was.... erm.... I think the word is robust ;D

His only problem is that he lets his head drop too easily sometimes and I think needs pro-active management and people to gee him along.

Good bloke tho

Pip

[Deleted]

Dec 15, 2010 9:23:18 GMT @rosepip said:

Millsy was with the Racers in 2008 and I talked to him quite a lot. He's a good honest bloke who calls a spade a spade which doesn't always go down too well with the management. His relationship with Tim Sugar was.... erm.... I think the word is robust ;D

His only problem is that he lets his head drop too easily sometimes and I think needs pro-active management and people to gee him along.

Good bloke tho

Pip

Well he should be fine with us Pip, Simmo is a good guy, and obviously Loobie and Donk are in the pits during the meetings to help the guys, and Kev and Schrammy are hands on kind of guys, JL is not averse to helping either, so as long as he is willing to accept the help, it should be there in shed loads.


here is Kev Doolan on Radio Suffolk last night:

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00cl4mv/Stephen_Foster_ISCRE_funding_looks_in_doubt/

go to 1.36.15

[Deleted]

Taken from Lovespeedway:

Dream move for Jerran
Thursday, 16 December, 2010
15:33 PM

IT took Jerran Hart all of two seconds to say he would ride for Ipswich Witches in 2011.



..
IT took Jerran Hart all of two seconds to say he would ride for Ipswich Witches in 2011.

The 19-year-old Ipswich-born youngster was on the verge of signing for another club, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to turn out for his home-town side in a move he describes as ‘a dream’.

Hart is one of three teenagers named in next season’s Witches Premier League team and the former Stoke High School pupil couldn’t contain his delight.

“I’ve wanted to ride speedway for the Witches since . . . well since I was born,” he said.

“It’s a dream for me, a total dream.

“I was so close to signing for another club, but when Chris Louis called, it changed everything. Ipswich are a big club and I was never going to turn down the chance to ride for them.”

Hart has been a regular on the terraces on a Thursday night at Foxhall over the past few years, but it’s in the pits where he will now be on a Thursday night throughout the summer next year, and he thinks Witches fans are in for a treat.

“The team Chris (Louis) has put together is unbelievable,” he said.

“All my mates and people I have talked to can’t believe how good it is. I’m not going to say we are going to win the Premier League, but we will be up there.

“And the fans will love the Premier League. While the Elite League is fine, many of the riders just want to earn money. Of course money is important, but in the Premier League, we want to entertain too.

“The fans will notice the difference. My only worry is that as a home-town boy I could be on the end of some criticism, like Leigh Lanham was.

“But I hope not and as long as I give everything during my racing, the fans will be fine.”

Having just recovered from a broken wrist, ankle and heel, after a crash at Redcar at the end of last year, Hart is working hard to get himself in top shape for the season ahead.

“Ipswich couldn’t have come calling at a better time,” he said.

“I’ve recovered from my injuries and I can’t wait for March.”

Like John and Chris Louis, Scott Nicholls, Jeremy Doncaster and many others, Hart joins an elite band of Ipswich-born and bred speedway riders who have ridden for the Witches.

And you can hear the excitement in his voice.

[Deleted]

New official website:

www.ipswichspeedway.cc/index.php/home

[Deleted]

You take care of him Badger and remember he's a Hammer

[Deleted]

Dec 22, 2010 22:25:36 GMT @kevh said:

You take care of him Badger and remember he's a Hammer

Lol Kev, if he's soooo excited about riding for the Witches, it begs the question why the hell did he sign for those damn peskies in the first place

We'll look after him, don't you worry.

[Deleted]

Taken from speedwaygb.co:

DOOLAN CONTENT WITH COMEBACK


Wednesday January 05, 2011
KEVIN Doolan has declared his return to racing after injury a success.

The Australian star saw his 2010 season effectively ended by a broken wrist in July, but he reached the Final of the New Year Classic at Newport last weekend ahead of his move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich this year.

Doolan said: “In the Final I did struggle with the track and had already survived hitting one rut before coming off on the third lap when challenging for position.

“It was good to get back on my bike and get racing although I have been doing a lot of motocross to keep fit over the winter. I am really looking forward to the start of a new season leading a new team at Ipswich. I think we have put together a great bunch of lads and we look strong on paper.”



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Taken from Lovespeedway.com:

www.lovespeedway24.co.uk/teams/ipswich-witches/schramm_predicts_trophies_for_witches_1_771484

for the picture of his chest

Schramm predicts trophies for Witches
SPEEDWAY By Mike Bacon
Friday, 14 January, 2011
16:06 PM

CHRIS Schramm is predicting a trophy-winning season for Ipswich Witches.


CHRIS Schramm is predicting a trophy-winning season for Ipswich Witches.

The 26-year-old Maldon-based racer returns to Foxhall Heath in 2011 for a season that starts in just over two months.

And apart from being happy racing for his local club, Schramm is also more than happy with the Premier League line-up Ipswich have assembled.

“The team looks great,” he said.

“If everyone in the side gels and does their job, I can see us winning a few trophies this season.”

Schramm’s optimism is shared by many in the sport, who see Chris Louis’ side being up among the title favourites from the off.

Although Premier League racing is the second tier of the sport in Great Britain, Schramm thinks the Witches fans, so used to Elite League racing over the last decade, will get great value for their money.

“The fans will enjoy Premier League racing,” Schramm said.

“The riders give it everything and I think the racing will be better. I like the Foxhall track and got double figure scores for both Belle Vue and Eastbourne in the Elite League last year, so I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Schramm is currently working at Yardley Engineering, just outside Maldon, making Land Rover parts. It is a job he hopes to hang onto throughout the summer.

“I’m enjoying working at Yardley and the boss has told me I can have time off to race throughout the season,” he said.

“It would be nice to race speedway full-time, but it’s more a hobby that pays for itself.”

Schramm rode for the Witches in 2007 and 2008, proving a popular racer with the fans. He even went as far as to have his chest and head shaved to help raise money for the Kim Jansson Fund.

His contribution on track however will be vital if the Witches are to enjoy a successful 2011. With the likes of teen stars Lasse Bjerre, Taylor Poole and Jerran Hart hoping to begin to show their potential, it will be down the more experienced racers like Schramm to be a big influence in the pits.



SCHRAMM FACTFILE


Name: Chris Schramm

Date of Birth: 30/05/1984

Birthplace: Maldon, Essex

Height: 5’8. Weight: 10 st 12

Eyes: Blue

Shoe Size: 9

Ideal night out: Pictures and meal

School life: I am dyslexic, School was never easy

First job: Flower nursery

Lasting childhood memory: When I got my head stuck in the railings at home

Favourite food: Meat, meat and more meat!

Worst food: Veg.

Do you cook: Yes, I like cooking.

Favourite drink: JD

Favourite track: Eastbourne.

Worst track: Don’t really mind any of the tracks.

Favourite kind of track: Grippy.

Most admired riders: Tony Rickardson and Sam Ermolenko

Hard working lad is Chris bless him.

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From Twitter:

Mike_Bacon Mike Bacon
#speedway OMG Do I have some EXCITING Witches news for you boys and girls in tomorrow's Ev Star AND EADT. Get a copy
3 hours ago

» ipswichspeedway Ipswich Witches
Hi everyone, look out for some really exciting news tomorrow..its big! Dont forget its season ticket sales at Foxhall tomorrow too..see ya.


Fingers crossed, it's a main sponsor

[Deleted]

Great news from Ipswich:

New Team Sponsor For Ipswich Witches
Saturday, 22 January 2011 09:22
Ipswich Speedway is very proud to announce Sackers Recycling as the team’s title sponsor for the 2011 season. This news is another exciting development as the club continues its preparations for the start of a new era in the Premier League. The new team name will be announced shortly.

Sackers are one of the largest independent metal and waste recycling companies in the region, offering waste management solutions throughout East Anglia. Founded in 1929, they are based in Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, and are run by Adrian and David Dodds. Both parties are very excited about their future partnership.

Adrian Dodds, Managing Director of Sackers, said “Just like Sackers Recycling, the Ipswich Witches are very well known and have been associated with Ipswich for many years; this is why we feel the partnership will be to the benefit of supporters, the team and our company. Fuel, Speed, Metal, Winning, are all things that link the Witches and Sackers Recycling together and we are really looking forward to this local partnership taking off.”

Witches Director of Speedway, Chris Louis, said “Our change of league and brand new team has already been given the seal of approval and support of our fans, so to have now gained the backing of such a successful local company, as Sackers Recycling is a massive boost to the club and the team. I’m really looking forward to working together with Adrian and David. They have already made it clear that this is very much about supporting the team and the town which is so refreshing and highlights for me what this season is going to be all about at Foxhall”.

Further details about Sackers and the services they provide can be found on their website:

Photo is courtesy of Archant Suffolk and shows Chris Louis, Pete Simmons, John Louis, Jerran Hart and Adrian Dodds (on bike) at the Sackers depot yesterday where the sponsorship deal was finalised.



Courtesey of the Ipswichspeedway.co website.

Things really looking up for us this season now, and this reinforces the Louis' decision to drop down a league.