tomcat

At the risk of being chastised by someone, they use this foam stuff in football, which disappears within a few moments. Why not get one of the many track staff, who seem to congregate around the start area, to spray a line behind the bikes after they are at tapes(takes a few seconds to do), then if a rider rolls back over that line, he/she is out. Or is that too simple? Can't be that expensive either, as they use a lot in the footy.

Its a sad day for World Speedway, with Crumpie retiring from the SGP's. To be honest, he wasn't one of my favourite riders when he first started out, but in recent years, he has steadily grown on me, to the point where I give the fella a cheer during the GP's. World speedway will be poorer without Jason competeing, but we have to respect his decision and I will wish him luck for the rest of his career. Good on Yer Crumpy and Thanks for the memories of a true speedway racer. I just wish he had donned the Witch during his league career, as he rated Foxhall as one of his favourite tracks, something he regularly showed with his performances on the Heath. Good Luck and enjoy your League racing mate... you can still show the kids the way home at that level.

It was supposed to be P&P today Baldyman, but didn't hear any bikes from here(just 10 minutes away from the Stadium), so not sure if it did go ahead. Can't see why it shouldn't have, but who knows these days. Just got my fingers crossed for a dry, warm and pleasant evening on Thursday, as I can't wait to see some live racing again after all these years. Come say hi if you want to, as I will be there, along with my lady wife and my son. We'll be sitting somewhere around the 1st benad area, on two patio chairs, which are akin to the film directors style, wooden frames and canvas seats and backs, and my Mrs will be sat in the middle in her fold away canvas chair, which has the cup holders in the arms.... oh, and I'll no doubt have my rather sad looking Wulf sport Witches coat on, ala 1998, which has a tear in the left forearm... just so ya recognise us... In fact, if anyone wants to come and say Hi... feel free, we don't bite...honestly! Edited to add: My real names Jerry, wife is Dee and son is JJ, so no-one has to go around asking if the name's Tomcat...

What a wonderful way to start my day..... and no I haven't just woken up, but been busy with other things and am only now free to reply. I did post on this very subject some time ago, it is also down to the selling agents to disclose any motorsports activity, ie: motorsports stadiums etc, near the vicinity of the property being purchased. Seems the judge knows his stuff... so well done to him and a massive well done to the Fen Tigers, Long May You Reign... As for these particular NIMBY's...in future, do ya homework!

Hi Greg, not that I know of. Don't quote me on it, but I think they may be holding some sort of pre season training school/practice and would offer the remaining team place to the best rider on show. Not 100% certain on that, but I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Very Good point BM..... maybe someone could drop CL an e-mail and ask?

You are both absolutely correct. Nothing to do with the promotions of either Ipswich Speedway, or Spedeworth, its the council and their restrictions. The council started implementing this during my last year with the club, around 2003/4 I believe. Why they suddenly banned the public, who have been attending P&P days since at least 1970, as I can remember going along back then, heaven only knows.... took 'em long enough!

I'll second that Bagpuss. Made Good Fridays something special, with the Home & Away meetings. I can still vividly remember some cracking meetings during the 70's & 80's. Riders like Terry Betts & Tiddler Turner for the Stars, and Tiger, Shrimpy etc for us.... lovely sunny days, good old fashioned local rivalry on track and the banter between the fans on the terraces. We'll be back in the near furure, then let the battle commence..

Nice to read about the junior league being entered, looks like Chris means business. 7 weeks..can't wait to be honest. I like the look of the team assembled by the promotion, as others have said, plenty of room for improvement throughout. C'Mon The Witches.... Playoffs must be strongly possible.

At last...back online. I didn't think I would miss the forum, but having to wait a month to get the phone on, and the internet (Thanks Sky), I can honestly say I missed this place. We finally completed our move back home from Northern Ireland, what a huge difference we've found. Really genuine and friendly folks, helpful and pleasant to deal with.... its good to be home. Now its a serious case of chomping at the bit, waiting to finally see my beloved Witches race in the flesh again, after an absence of 8 years..... and also the chance to finally meet everyone from here, who have been so supportive during our tough time across the Irish sea. Thanks to you all (you know who you are), and roll on the start of the season. Got a house just 10 minutes away from the Stadium, so within easy reach. Here's to a brilliant season for the Witches and all you fantastic Witches fans.

Haha...nice one Lovey. Just shows how ignorant he is, can't even abide by clear forum rulings. The mighty Altwit falls on his own sword...

Well said Mr S, in fact you are spot on there. I would love to meet you in person next season at Foxhall, and I mean that in a friendly manner, as some people do seem to jump to the wrong conclusion when a message is posted about meeting folks.

Here we go again.... more unsubstantiated rubbish. Unless you have proof of your allegations, I suggest you remove that statement asap. Someone will have to quote my post, who isn't on this trolls ignore list... so he has the opportunity to do the right thing.

And you know this...how? Its common knowledge, that Ipswich were near to going bust, so pray tell, where did this influx of money come from? Because it sure wasn't from Sky, neither would the Sackers sponsorship deal have been big enough to pay 'Silly' money. Or could it just be, that the club is run correctly, the riders treated with respect by the Promotion and that the fans are amongst the best in the country...barring one seriously sad individual, but then there's always one of those at most clubs these days unfortunately. I'm sorry, but you have no more idea of what we pay our riders, than I have about other teams wage structures, including your own club.

A HUGE Well Done to Scunthorpe/Sheffield on your Victory. Also a big well done to the Fen Tigers on fighting your way back into the tie, losing by just one point on aggregate must be gutting, but you still have the KO Cup win, so Congratulations. With the Witches winning the PL Fours, its been a great season for the two Suffolk sides... nice one guys. Cant wait for next season, being able to watch both teams do the business on track... oh how I've missed my speedway these past 6 years.

So no-one else gets to see..... A Pork Belly Flop... I'll get me coat...

If you're with Sky, the facility to record both parts was there. I set the first part as normal, to record, then went to the TV guide, clicked the Spanish footie, which brought up the speedway on the red button, set that to record, and got the whole lot. Set this Friday morning, so the option was there. Have no idea whether you could do this on Virgin, as we kicked them into touch a year ago, for blatantly ripping us off.

Congratulations Grin... what a truly magnificent year. One of speedways true gentleman. Now for 2012... you know you can do it. Just a word for Tomasz Gollob, who has been another really good example of a worthy Champion. He took losing his crown with grace and despite a horrendous year, has maintained his dignity. Well done Tomek. It seems to be the OAP's time right now... well in speedway terms anyhow... It just goes to show, you're never too old. Well Done again Grin, 2011 World Speedway Champion.

They setting fire to the balls again WK??

Roll on 2012, and another good season of PL racing for the Witches. I couldn't watch the so called Elite League again.... have you guys and gals had a look at the EL section, its worse than a big bunch of school girls having a bitch fight...sheesh! I'm glad we're out of that now. As for our team for next season, I trust Chris to get it right again. But for some horrendous unjury problems, we would have faired better this season, I'm sure of that. From the current seven, I'd keep faith with Matt Tressarieu, Kev Doolan, Taylor Poole and Jerran Hart. Lasse will go full time EL I feel and Morten needs to get himself rested and fit, as for Millsy, I'm undecided, may be worth another punt, but then I would like to see young Cameron Heeps given a go, possibly with a doubling up roll. Maybe a good out and out No1, with Kev being loaned out. But then it all depends on the team building average thats set at this winters annual beano. Also can we sack Altroll too...as we've had enough accidents this year, can't be doing with another year of his talented...oops sorry, I mean talentless comedy comments...

Silly question... but is Artem Laguta actually out of the GP series for the remainder of 2011? I missed the start of the Italian GP last night, so didn't hear why Zorro was in. I seem to remember reading on the BSF, that due to missing the GB Grand Prix, Laguta should be disallowed from riding in the series. Is this the case, if anyone knows. Cheers, Jerry

Many Thanks Paul. For some reason, our local Tescos has stopped stocking the Speedway Star, after not seeing one for 5 years, suddenly there they were, only to disappear after 6 months.... so no SS race card. These look great and as others have said, they add to the occassion for us that have to watch from home. Good On Yer Mate..

Alway enjoyed the Golden Helmet Match Races, specially the monthly version, circa 74 onwards. One of my everlasting memories is of John Louis, taking on Dave Jessup at Foxhall in 1975. JL had swapped his infamous Tiger leathers for a mustard coloured pair, with Ipswich & Witches written on a white panel on the inside of the legs. Anyway, back to the Jessup challenge, I was sitting on the first bend, facing directly down the home straight, JL gated and did four laps absolutely flat out, setting a new track record of 59 seconds dead, the first time ever that a sub minute race had been done at Ipswich. One of the most perfect four laps I have ever seen in over 40 years of watching speedway. I'n not sure if it was 1975, but JL held the Golden Helmet for a long time. I can vividly remember his tussles with Ole Olsen and Phil Crump in particular. Its a shame that the competition isn't run anymore. I hated the one off races and that daft Golden Gauntlet attempt to replace the helmet...some cruddy glove that had a quick coat of gold spray paint.

This kind of comment always makes me smile..... YOU'LL be a wrinklie, as you like to put it, one day my friend. Shall we send you to Eastbourne too...

Now you mention it...but I did take the riders, as drawn and shown on the SGP website. If this was the case, then I apologise Philip, unreservedly to you and your staff. Now I feel a right numpty..