This Is Speedway

MURIEL Hutchings is a grandmother, approaching the age of 84.

KENT kid Steve Boxall, Belle Vue’s youngest winter signing at 19, won’t be fazed by racing Grand Prix superstars when he steps up into the Elite League in March.

18th Jan 08, The Evening Star Ipswich Witches have completed their 2008 line up with the signing of Piotr Swiderski. The twenty four year old Polish rider began his career in British Speedway with Peterborough in 2006, making
fifteen appearances for the Panthers.

In 2007 he featured in every meeting for Peterborough as they qualified for the Elite League play-offs. He alternated between reserve and a second string position to finish the season with an average of 5.19. In his two appearances at Ipswich in 2007 he scored six and four points respectively.

Ipswich captain Chris Louis was confident about the forthcoming season following todays news when he said the signing of Piotr is good news for us as it gives the team a solid look. He has scored well on some of the larger tracks in the Elite League and this will give us a more balanced team. Tobi Kroner will now start the season at reserve and that also must be of considerable benefit to us.

COVENTRY asset Ryan Fisher is aiming for another fresh start to his British career after agreeing to join Premier League Edinburgh.

POPULAR Australian Steve Johnston has signed for Coventry’s Elite League rivals Ipswich.

10th Jan 08, The Evening Star Ipswich Witches would like to announce two further additions to their 2008 line up in Chris Schramm and Steve Johnston.

Chris Schramm comes into the side after a successful introduction to Elite League speedway as the Witches number 8 last season. The 23 year old from Maldon, Essex, also spent the season with the Newport Wasps, where he again won the fans rider of the season award for his heroic displays in a side that finished in second last place in the Premier League. Schramm began the season at Newport at number 2, but moved to the heat leader position at number 5 in their side and finished the season with a Premier League average of 5.91. This enables him to join the Witches on a 3.00 average for next season.

Last season also saw Schramm appear nine times for the Witches, returning his best score of 6+1 against Eastbourne at Foxhall Stadium in late May. He is a rider who is respected by fans for always giving one hundred per cent, and he will certainly be encouraged to do that in a Witches race jacket in 2008.

Steve Johnston is a familiar face to many Witches fans having performed in the Witches colours for a season in 1997. The 36 year old popular Sky Sports commentator has ridden for eight other clubs during a sixteen year British career and has tasted Elite league success with Oxford in 2001 before being a part of the Elite League Championship winning team at Coventry last season. The former Australian international had an incredible season in 2007. He began the campaign in a struggling Oxford Cheetahs side that folded only a few months into the season. While his former team mate Jesper B Jensen went on to sign for the Witches, Johnston was sidelined without a team for several weeks before the Coventry management decided to make use of his vast experience, and brought him into the side as a permanent replacement for Morton Risager midway through the season. Johnston went on to score some vital points as Coventry cruised past Swindon to take the title. He now joins the Witches on an average of 5.41. Despite his advancing years, Johnston proved that he was still a superb asset to any side, and the Witches will be able to call on his wealth of experience during 2008.

Witches skipper Chris Louis welcomed the new signings when commenting I am delighted to see Chris and Johno in the team. I have followed Chriss progress since helping him in Tarnov (Poland) back in 2006 during a World Under 21 semi final and I am sure full time Elite League speedway is what he needs to fulfill his potential. As for Steve Johno Johnston; he was thrilled to have been asked to rejoin Ipswich after a spell with us in 1997 and cannot wait to get straight down to business. He is possibly the best guy to have on your side of the pits to keep the right team atmosphere and new Team Manager Pete Simmons has already stressed how important he feels that is going to be this season.

10th Jan 08, The Evening Star Ipswich Witches are pleased to announce that a new Director, Richard Moore has joined the Club. Mr Moore is a businessman involved in property development in London and Suffolk
and is also associated with Ipswich Town Football Club and in looking forward to joining up with the Witches commented when I was very young I used to walk to Foxhall Stadium to watch the likes of Tich Read ride. As a local man, I am delighted to be able to play a part in the future of the Club in order to help the Witches grow and hopefully maintain top flight speedway in Ipswich. I have a great interest in the team as do all the supporters. The Club has been well run in the past and hopefully I can help this continue into the future.

Team Captain Chris Louis was excited about the future and said Richard is a keen fan of all local sport and has been keeping an eye on the Club for several seasons now so it is thrilling news that he has decided to join us. Ipswich Speedway has been run by my father, John since we arrived back at the Club in 1989 and with my close involvement since returning to racing in 2004 it has become very much a family business and so it is very a big thing for us to have a new Director involved. Richards experience in business and as a Director of Ipswich Town Football Club means that he has a great deal to offer. While I know Richard wants to introduce himself to the Club and sport gradually, I am confident it will not be long before he is actively involved and fans, sponsors, riders and all the staff at the Club will noticing the benefits of having someone of his immense drive and character involved. I am very excited by the prospect of working with Richard and it is a timely boost to the Club as we move into what looks like being a very tough and competitive 2008 campaign.

Promoter John Louis was also in upbeat mood when adding the last twenty years of running Ipswich Witches has at times been extremely tough but through the highs and lows I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every moment of it. The last four seasons since Chris has played a more active roll have certainly seen the sport shift to a much more volatile arena where it is impossible for any club to operate without a great deal of commercial funding. We are extremely lucky to be supported by some very keen and loyal local companies and todays announcement can only help stabilize the club to allow it to move forward. I am really looking forward to working with Richard and am thrilled that he sees his involvement as long term which can only help to bring some stability to the Club.

BIRMINGHAM have completed their 2008 line-up with the double signing of James Birkinshaw and Lee Smart.

COVENTRY Bees have confirmed the return of Olly Allen for the coming season - leaving them just two places to fill for the defence of the Elite League title.

CHRIS HARRIS made the perfect start to 2008 with a dominant display at yesterday’s New Year Classic at Newport.