Tsunami 10,219 Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) Did any of Ipswich's horse racing lovers back John Louis at 11/1 in the first race at Lingfield yesterday ? Well, there's usually someone on his back. Edited January 29, 2012 by Tsunami 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldyman 6,243 Posted February 1, 2012 So according to another thread on here, we are the bookies favourites. I wonder if that has anything to do with how well rohan has done in Aus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Snackette 190 Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) 2012 Fixtures now available: http://www.ipswichwitches.co/index.php/fixture-list Edited February 2, 2012 by Mr Snackette Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Thumb 81 Posted February 2, 2012 It might seem a daft question but why do the Witches race on Thursday rather than say a Friday? I know when they were in the Elite they had a Saturday meeting against Swindon and got a very good crowd. Would Friday nights not improve that attendances? Should find out now, 1 meeting on a Wed night & 1 on a Friday night (plus the usual Bank Holiday Monday & Friday afternoon meetings.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Snackette 190 Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) It's a pity for what looks likely to be one of the most significant PL fixtures of the season, Somerset away on 13th July, Matt Tres is a likely absentee. The traditional Marmande fixture, which forms part of World Longtrack Championships, is always one of the highlights of the season....even more so if you are French!!! However the decision to run the Somerset home fixture on the preceding Wednesday has the advantage that Matt should be available, and also avoids a clash with the SWC Run Off. Matt could also miss the away meeting at Workington, which is a pity as he goes well there. It remains to be seen if it is logistically possible for him to get from Forus to Glasgow the following afternoon. It's also interesting to see that the three of the four qualyfing rounds for the World U21 Championships are scheduled for 19th May, the day of the Witches visit to Berwick, with Newcastle away the following evening. One hopes that Witches riders with aspirations in that direction will be allocated the qualifier on the 29th April. Edited February 2, 2012 by Mr Snackette Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jennywren 1 Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) At the recent Supporters Club AGM Chris Louis confirmed that Mat isn't taking part in any LomgTrack this season so he shouldn't be missing any of the away meetings that you mention. Edited February 2, 2012 by ASV Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Snackette 190 Posted February 2, 2012 At the recent Supporters Club AGM Chris Louis confirmed that Mat isn't taking part in any LomgTrack this season so he shouldn't be missing any of the away meetings that you mention. Well if you go to the FIM website he is entered in the competition at number five: http://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/long-track-finals/news/news-detail/article/1319191186-fim-long-track-2012-calendar-entry-list/ Looks like somebody needs to be having a conversation, as I wouldn't think either the FIM or the French Federation would be too pleased if he withdrew from the competition at this stage. Furthermore, I really can't see him missing Marmande, especially as it ends on the morning of "le quatorze juillet". I'm sure time will tell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Najjer 2,890 Posted February 2, 2012 It's a pity for what looks likely to be one of the most significant PL fixtures of the season, Somerset away on 13th July, Matt Tres is a likely absentee. The traditional Marmande fixture, which forms part of World Longtrack Championships, is always one of the highlights of the season....even more so if you are French!!! To make it worse, he is superb around the Oak Tree too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baldyman 6,243 Posted February 2, 2012 How many meetings were they guaranteeing on season ticket? I take It, It was 23. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Whiteliner 72 Posted February 2, 2012 With regards to Matt Tress, he rides on a French Licence so if they say he is to ride in France then he has no option other than to ride there. The same thing happened when he rode for Redcar, he didnt make it back in time for a meeting at Rye House and as he wasnt injured Redcar were forced to only go with 6 riders as no Conference League rider was available at such short notice. Its an option that is totally out of his hands, he rides where they tell him to ride. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) With regards to Matt Tress, he rides on a French Licence so if they say he is to ride in France then he has no option other than to ride there. The same thing happened when he rode for Redcar, he didnt make it back in time for a meeting at Rye House and as he wasnt injured Redcar were forced to only go with 6 riders as no Conference League rider was available at such short notice. Its an option that is totally out of his hands, he rides where they tell him to ride. Presumably if its classed as international duty then a facility is granted.If so with the strength in depth that should be no problem for the odd meeting. Edited February 2, 2012 by dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Snackette 190 Posted February 2, 2012 Presumably if its classed as international duty then a facility is granted.If so with the strength in depth that should be no problem for the odd meeting. Unlike the Grand Prix, a facility is only available for the day of the meeting only, and is not available to cover official practice. This may be part of the reason why the home meeting against Somerset is being run on an off night. The real concern would be the away meeting at Glasgow, as getting from Forus on a Sunday may be issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706 Posted February 2, 2012 Unlike the Grand Prix, a facility is only available for the day of the meeting only, and is not available to cover official practice. This may be part of the reason why the home meeting against Somerset is being run on an off night. The real concern would be the away meeting at Glasgow, as getting from Forus on a Sunday may be issue. 3 heat leaders and 4 reserves vs 6 heat leaders and a national league guest then.....no problem!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treborbee 2 Posted February 3, 2012 Kevin Doolan tells the Speedway Star this week how pleased he is to have Morten back again this year. He says he could see towards the end of last season that he got his confidence back after his injuries, and that he is fantastic to have in the pits for the rest of the team. I guess that has got to do with all of his experience even though he is still so young (only 24). He has always seemed extremely professional in his approach to speedway, and according to John Louis, no rider that has ever been riding for Ipswich (Elite or Premier) has been better at preparing their equipment than him - apparently he just needs some new and quicker stuff than he has got, as his current bikes and engines are getting old, but is lacking the funds for it after all his injuries. I have been told that he has worked really hard on his fitness this winter to try and avoid any more injuries, and has also lost a lot of weight which must help him gain some more speed on track. Maybe given an injury free run, and some local sponsors in Ipswich backing him, this could be the year we see him back at his best, which will surely make him one of the top riders in the PL?! I remember seeing him ride for Coventry in 2004 when he was only 16, and back then he wasn't just a white lining gating tart. He was exiting to watch and past heat leaders on both the inside and the outside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Snackette 190 Posted February 3, 2012 Interesting piece from Mike Bacon: "THE Anglian Junior League is set to return to our local tracks for the forthcoming 2012 campaign. This will see young teams representing Ipswich, King’s Lynn, Lakeside, Mildenhall, Peterborough and Rye House doing battle during the season and the management of each club are delighted to announce the reformation of the league. The Anglian Junior League was first staged in 1978 and proved to be a rich training ground for stars of the future, and it returns this year to allow the current crop of up-and-coming riders to make the jump from Training Schools to National League. Matches will be raced over a six-heat, four-rider format, with the action following straight after full team meetings. The exception being Lakeside who will stage their meetings before the main event starts. Teams will meet each other twice home and away. BSPA Vice Chairman Jon Cook said: “The Anglian League provided a rich vein of talent in days gone by and we hope to do the same again. “It’s tough for riders to break into league racing and this venture will fill the gap between training and National League, and give those riders a competitive environment in which to develop. “Leagues of this kind already operate in the Midlands and Northern sectors and it’s the aim of the BSPA to increase activities of this kind as we work towards an organised programme to take young Brits from their first tentative laps right the way through to the National team.” Peterborough co-promoter Julie Mahoney added: “Rick (Frost, Panthers owner) and I are proud and delighted to be associated with the league. We were keen to be involved in something that encourages and develops young British riders.” The Anglian Junior League was originally founded in 1978 by Boston, Crayford, Ipswich, Rye House, Cradley Heath, King’s Lynn, Peterborough, Mildenhall, Leicester and Hackney. Many riders from the league went onto to enjoy long and successful careers from those initial seasons, including: Richard Knight, Kevin Smith, Marvyn Cox, Andy Campbell, Martin Goodwin, Carl Blackbird, Kevin Teager and Tim Hunt." I think most will know over the years I have been one of The Promotions biggest critics. This is just fantastic news, and both JL & CL should be congratulated in embracing this innovation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
