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No, it would mean he'd be able to ride here without ruining his club financially. If he wants to ride in th UK on a Monday and Thursday, without a TV deal, he needs to accept a pay cut, it really is that simple.

If it wasn't 'well run', it wouldn't have been 'well backed'. Successful national businessmen don't throw their money at poorly run outfits...

do you think we are stupid??????? we all know if its one league it will be without the GP boys

I’d buy a calculator personally.

So, you've got a downer on someone who has worked to bring in Doyle and Sayfutdinov, and to pay them what they're prepared to accept (I'm sure there was negotiation) - and to find ways to make it work financially, plus everything else that goes alongside riders with a thoroughly professional approach. It's not just those two riders though - the other six also say the same, down to Jenkins and Edwards, who Louis wanted in the team because of their excellent approach, and who wanted to ride for Ipswich. Brennan and Thompson are the very best examples of riders who knew that they would improve if they joined Louis' set-up - not just because Louis is thorough in his approach, but also because he demands and expects the same from his employees. There's no doubt that speedway's sponsorship finances are predominantly goodwill, rather than purely commercial - and can't be compared with multi-million pound/dollar corporations sponsoring the world's popular sports. At best we're talking about the same level as National League football, or more likely the divisions below that, and other minority sports that also rely on local goodwill. British Speedway's biggest problem is that it's got very little worth actually investing in. Despite everything that Louis has done, he can really only sell his licence to promote the sport - there aren't any major tangible assets.

Exactly that. One of the common themes on this Forum, not just this thread, is that promoters don't..er..promote the sport enough. They don't get enough publicity, they don't get sponsors, etc. Now, suddenly the one promoter who has been able to show what can be done in terms of publicity and gaining sponsorship is somehow the villain. I'm sure it must have been a very hard decision for Chris to walk away from the club that has been his life, the club that was his dad's life, the club they both loved. And, of course, as an Ipswich supporter myself I am very concerned about its future, but I cannot imaging for one second that this was an easy decision for Chris and that he is the reason why British speedway is failing. We need more promoters like Chris able to bring the supporters in and build good teams, not criticise him.

The basis of people praising Chris for the professionalism of how the club is run stems from the riders - all of the riders in the last few years to ride for Ipswich have echoed this statement many calling it the best run uk club they’ve worked for, this is where the fans bring these claims from. Your attempt to remove any praise of Chris in terms of the clubs sponsors/backing is kind of amusing, at a speedway club who’s job do you think it might be to go out and get those sponsors to support the club…? Maybe someone titled promoter? People on this forum since day one bemoan promoters only having self interest at heart, not caring about speedway, not actually getting out and promoting it properly, Chris has poured his heart and soul into the witches and worked his arse off promoting the club gaining the support of multiple long term local sponsors, affiliated the witches with Ipswich Town to benefit each club promotionally and yet that’s not a well run club its luck 🤷‍♂️😂 you talk of 30-40% of the clubs expenditure is covered by sponsorship as a negative, but last time I checked every other sport utilises sponsorship doesn’t it? Premier league football clubs raking in £60-100m a year from adidas/nike etc, selling the sleeve and stomach sponsors for millions, premiership rugby wouldn’t exist without huge sponsorship investment, tennis heavily invested with Rolex over the years, golf literally has pga tour events called “The John Deere Classic” “RSM Classic” where do you think the money is coming from for the prize pools in those yep you’ve guessed it - sponsorship!! As a lifelong witches fan I’m beyond gutted with Louis announcement to sadly sell up and walk away but I’m for one grateful for everything he’s done for the club and know the circumstances behind the scenes must be pretty dire for him to make such a decision.

Through my involvement with a few different riders over the years I have had an opportunity to witness at first hand how well some clubs are run. I have helped riders to manage their finances through completing their accounts, Tax Returns, VAT Returns etc. and in addition I often assisted them in the pits as well so I got to see a lot of the Speedway world at close quarters. One rider I helped rode for the Witches and unlike some other clubs he rode for, he was always paid on time and the paperwork was always spot on. Without doubt it was one of the best run clubs we had dealings with. I have nothing but admiration for the Witches promotion although I really hope the announcement last week will not result in the loss of Speedway at Foxhall.

I have been going to speedway since the mid 60s and I'm gutted at what is happening at Ipswich speedway I hope it continues to operate but am not holding out much hope. Chris standing down as Promoter must have been a really hard decision for him to make considering how long he and his dad before him have been associated with the club but I respect the decision he has made whatever the reasons maybe. It was well run and well supported and with a really good supporters club as well. I loved going there and will really miss it if this is the end as Oxford, Kings Lynn, Leicester, the next nearest clubs to me are between 2 to 3 hours traveling each way which will make going on a regular basis impossible. The question is why did I start going to Ipswich, the answer is simple it is not because of what league it was in it was because all the other clubs within traveling distance on a regular basis closed down and I would imagine there are many more fans like me who go to a club on a regular basis that just want to see 4 riders doing 4 laps round the track. I loved watching Emil and Doyle but I also enjoyed watching Dan T and Jordan along with the rest of the team just as much. Whether you call it Premiership, Championship, NDL or something else it still boils down to 4 riders doing 4 laps round a track. I don't want to see GP riders disappearing from UK teams but more than that what I really want is to see speedway in the UK continuing not dying a gradual death and that is what Promoters need to consider above all else when making any decisions and they need to make those decisions based on what is going to help the sport not on decisions that will benefit them personally. .

I suppose with Ipswich potentially not running, you will be able to focus all your attention on your favourite club Poole now

There is no doubt Chris Louis is/was, one of the most forward , modern thinking promoters... However, you have to say that the bar is very, very low... What did Ipswich average last year for a basic POQ against the likes of Oxford and Birmingham? 1700? 1800 maybe? In UK Speedway terms, undoubtedly very, very good, but, again, as the bar is set so low, it is hardly "Barnum and Bailey" promoting levels is it? (One for the teenagers there) The Hawkins comments come across as almost blaming others for not doing what Ipswich do, however, for many, they don't need to, as their other businesses bankroll their team, or, they own tracks with other revenue streams that can subsidise their teams.. Clubs getting, (and quite happily surviving), on crowds of 600 or so could spend plenty of money increasing their attendances, however even if they got a 25% increase (a huge actual % in reality), it would still only be 750 a night, and nowhere near enough to compete with other clubs getting double... As we have seen, some teams go bankrupt by winning Speedway Championships and close, therefore why would clubs attempt to compete with those who can sustain the costs of more expensive riders, and put their own existence at risk? It isn't the fault, nor incumbent of, the Championship Teams to take (the very, very clear) risks by "moving up" just because a small minority of clubs won't deviate from their own inflexible business plans.. Fair play to Chris Louis for getting out if his expectations and aspirations can no longer be met, and good luck to him, he will definitely be missed by UK Speedway, however, it isn't the fault of any other club that Chris didn't want to ride in a five team league or one "big league".. That was, in his opinion, a business decision he felt wasnt right for him and Ipswich, and he will know his business model better than anyone.. Let's hope he finds a buyer and Ipswich come to the tapes next season..

Does that mean that paramedic provision at all tracks will be sponsored?😁😉

Brady won’t give stuff whether he is riding in UK or not.IMO.It was just extra pocket money compared to his other deals.

i congratulated yous , only saw the second leg at Glasgow though , as was asleep during the first leg sorry .

Kin hell a non Ipswich fan speaking sense and not just persecuting Louis and or the club for fun on this thread! Bravo Mike 👍

Although I've posted this on Aces thread, as all discussions seem to be here, thought I'd share here too.

I've got respect for Louis for doing this. Whether he did it for financial reasons or because he can't harmonise with what the future of speedway looks like in the UK, this must have been a deeply saddening decision to come to. If you cut him he would bleed ipswich speedway and he's also walking away from the legacy that his dad built. To decide to call it a day must have been the toughest decision of his life. But at the end of the day, if he deems the sport is no longer financially viable in Suffolk, I myself would rather walk away with some money in my pocket than risk bankruptcy at the age of 56.

My opinion of it is fairly simple. The Louis family have built a fairly good team with a regular following of loyal supporters & sponsors to compete in the top league & in a good season turn a small profit. I'd say he has looked at the books & like many posters on here he can't see the top league with a possible 5 clubs being the product he wants to offer those people. Equally he is not prepared to take his club into a lower league as those same people may not support the venture. His choice is to walk away as a Champion & good luck to him.

After his injury the year before just to get back on the bike was a positive, still showed some bright spots in 2025, hopefully if as rumoured he has new equipment and a mechanic, he will certainly improve in 2026

Some might have to if they want to live in the uk with their family’s

Pretty sure it's his mechanic that he's been with for quite some time - wouldn't be the first time he posted something completely tone deaf thinking it was funny

Mark Seabright

There he is, the prize idiot, hope you congratulated Poole on there double success, didn't see any cheating, did you

Who is the guy on the right? Alun Rossiter? Terry Russell?

As you speak for Mr Nicholls with so much knowledge of his view, I assume you either are him or his lover maybe?

In last weeks Speedway Star, Danny Ford specifically mentioned the tangible negative impact on the crowd level that any home defeat brings to the next meeting... Regardless of how well they are doing overall in the league, it can be an immediate drop... Hence, Poole winning is essential to their business plan, and as they "pay their mortgages" off the profits, rather than run it as a hobby, it has to be profitable... Maybe that is why they see no plus side to "moving up" as they could easily spend six figures more to win less home meetings... Let's face it, they are currently the biggest fish in the biggest pond, given the "puddle" that is the Premiership... So many Promoters want so many different things to ever make it succesfully work I would suggest... Therefore the majority who are quite happy with what they have got, and can deliver, will always hold sway.. Ritchie Hawkins mentions in the piece that the sport needs some "independent" leadership.. Is that a "new thing" amongst some Promoters "all of a sudden?"... However, given so many want so many different things from running a Speedway Team, if has gone well beyond that.. Maybe if an independent person/entity could fully sponsor the league, it could happen, but any promoter bank rolling their teams losses each season isn't going to let someone with zero financial input dictate the direction they should be heading.. Turkey's don't vote for Christmas.. The sport is knackered (over here), isn't it, (from a bona fide "serious sport" perspective)... Far too much to unpick, far too much self interest to allow radical change, far too many different needs and wants to get any general consensus as to a fit for purpose, future fit plan.. In last weeks Speedway Star, Paul Burbidge mentioned the legacy that a previous generation of promoters could have left, as, when the going was good, they didn't invest in purchasing tracks, which has left the sport threatend by land developers... 50 years later, however, these people would no longer be with us, and maybe their families would have taken over, or someone else had bought the track.. With these people possibly quite happy to sell up to developers given they would have seen, and been part of, the allowed, condoned, unchecked decline over the past two decades in particular.. And just imagine trying to deliver enough riders for Coventry, Peterborough, Birmingham, Swindon, Lakeside, Somerset and Wolverhampton today? Each meeting would need to be a "Best Pairs"!! It feels like its almost time for "snookers needed"...

Do I seriously have to answer this?? Seeing as you asked, Guy Nicholls is a local business owner with a multi millions turnover, who is/was a fan of the sport/club. He chose Ipswich because that's where he's from. Zero to do with Ipswich being 'well-run'. I hear you ask, why did he sponsor King's Lynn & then Sheffield?? Because it was his best route to try & expand he brand, who are also located in Loughborough. The same questions can be asked of Sheffield, it's no coincidence with the standard of rider's signed under the TruPlant sponsorship. Without them, Sheffield could never afford both Holder's & Woffinden. Sheffield was well-backed, not well-run. Nicholls pulls his sponsorship, then all of a sudden Sheffield is up for sale. Could be coincidence but is it though?? Ipswich are not the Real Madrid of British Speedway. Ipswich are (to a point Sheffield) lucky feckers to have TruPlant around. If Guy Nicholls wasn’t a fan of the sport/club, the size of his business would go nowhere near it.

Not reading telling us anything we don’t already know.He won’t change anything for GB.

Let's hope the Aces keep going too so that's at least two threads that can be contributed to....

Ipswich is well backed …. But why?? Maybe the sponsors see how well run the club is and back the club You don’t get good sponsors by running your show badly!! Granted the sponsorship has helped secure Jason and Emil … but it’s not like the sponsor decided to go to the leagues most successful teams and sponsor them …. They chose Ipswich so ask yourself why??? Because the club was run badly or run well?

I have a lot of respect for the late Tim Stone - he was definitely marmite to a lot of people, but he was always very nice, welcoming and respectful to us during my (short) time riding for the Mavericks. You always knew where you stood with him and he never minced his words. Plus the man lived and breathed Newport and it's such a shame things went the way they did there. I'll never forget we used to go down there every Sunday in the winter to practice, and planned to sleep in the van the night before, he offered us the option of putting our van in the pits (there was a lot of travellers in the area and often targeted Newport as a place to pitch up) and letting us sleep in a VIP box with heating - to which we gratiously accepted. He said "under no conditions are you to go outside before I get here in the morning though, the guard dog will have your pants down" - one night someone tried to break in and we found a pair of absolutely shredded jeans in the pits the morning after 😂😂😂

theres no point putting fantasy teams out their with out knowing avrg

i think a couple from last years team at least will be announced before another new rider

Exactly what i've been saying too, Some Promoters and Owners don't give a stuff about the Sport in the UK. I can't believe some fans are holding Chris Louis accountable for everything. (Easy Target I Guess) I guarantee that most fans in Chris' position would've done the same thing.

i use to take melatonin tablets to cure my insomnia , now i just watch Poole meetings on You tube . Does the trick

Bowes saying he loves Poole because its a "technical track" is laughable. The guys the least technical rider ive seen

Maybe a version of the old 13 heat format (happiness was 40-38)should be considered with six man teams and the final race being made up of nominated riders. Also give team managers more of an input by allowing teams trailing by (say) 6 points choice of gate positions. And then after an interval have a short second half featuring juniors/development teams. Basically, providing some variety at no extra cost.

Ha, wasn't an insult, merely an enquiry 🙂

maybe they could get a guest for him, its what currently happens so whats the difference?

It may be too early yet but haven’t heard of a rider saying ‘ I can’t afford to carry on unless there are 2 leagues’ .

The land is owned by the original Ipswich Speedway from the 1950s - local family whose name I cannot recall at present All Speedway companies since (Berry/Shears/Louis/Louis) are completely unrelated to the original The stadium lease Is currently with Spedeworth - not long ago renewed and for a longish term (again cannot recall exact length) The current Speedway is a sub let from Soedeworth

putting him at reserve at most tracks wouldnt make a difference from what we saw

What we had in the 70's and 80's all be it juniors were at the end of the meeting.

I think the Harris to pila thing was a joke post that was going around as it had him joining their academy. I can’t speak or read polish but it looks like they have announced the full senior team and Harris isn’t in it.

Maybe Chris Louis wanted 1 big league, 'Some things no longer align for me', which he would force the BSPA into if he didn't actually sell the club and left them hanging.

Spedeworth International (east anglia) Ltd seem to have a decent balance sheet and could pick up the witches for a song to maintain the income stream and cover those weeks when the four wheeled sport is not running at Foxhall. They would rake in everything from food, car park and entrance fee as they do with bangers and stock cars. Obviously the alternative is to run bangers and stocks on those weeks when speedway would have run notwithstanding the restrictions. Let’s hope that the two wheeled sport continues but in these uncertain times, you have to make the assets work for you and whatever generates the revenue you run with. I fear that if speedway stops even for a season, it will be the last you hear of the Witches.

As i said in the post quoted "and as been said before if it were a championship and ndl, championship then becomes the top tier."

1. Chris Harris 2. Anders Rowe 3. Sam Masters 4. Kyle Howarth 5. Ben Basso 6.Drew Kemp 7. Leon Flint Any in the know advise if the above fits. Looking forward to the replies.

I do love how Cami lives in so many people's heads. Plenty of TMs take flak for not being very good, but Cami really gets to people 😂

It says it all really when a family steeped in Speedway history doesn't want the sport at the stadium it owns and runs.