Roger Jacobs

But this is British speedway, where just about every type of resource is limited.

Duplicated post edited.

Not on the pace. He had one scoring ride on Thursday when he beat Tom Perry, but in his next one Perry passed him with ease. Sadly, we've heard that Makinen has had a major family issue which can't have helped - so it's a difficult one for Chris Louis: do you give the rider the chance to ride through it, or tell him to take a break (knowing he will be playing even more catch-up when he returns), or tell him he's out ... A difficult decision for any employer. PS: I the cold light of day, a move for Sedgmen seems a very good option - he told me just before he decided to go home in 2011 that he would love to ride for Ipswich. Of course, the Aussie seems to have his own 'history', but if he's happy somewhere he could be very good.

Ellis rode at the SBA in the Under-21 qualifier - so he has got more experience there than a virtually any other circuit Plymouth preview here: http://plymouthdevils.co/article-3.html Pete Simmons tweeted recently that they had reached Bristol and it's dry.

I wouldn't say just one rider. The Rabbles played their part in a very entertaining meeting. Both teams were clearly fired-up, but it was the Witches who were much more composed in their approach. The Witches were not flying - only 8 from Barker, and Makinen really struggling. As already pointed out, the 6 artifical joker points made it look a lot closer than it was. From my perspective, the Rabbles were comparatively disappointing last night, and didn't really function as a team. The Witches showed a real edge to their performance that was missing too much last season, coupled with a maturity to their racing - if they can hang on to that combination, they will be a good team in a competitive league.

Excellent victory by the Sackers Witches, who confounded me too with a genuinely determined display (aptly described by Jaybea as showing real "gusto"). If they can win with Barker only scoring 8, then that's not a bad effort. Last season, especially after conceding a 1-5 in Heat 1 they would have struggled. Overall, the Witches not only rode with gusto, but they rode sensibly and within themselves, whereas, in the cold light of day, a couple of the Rebels were trying too hard. Davies has been in great form, but has not had a happy time at Foxhall. In Heat 1 he was perilously close to the fence a couple of times and when he tried to pass Heeps in 8, he hit the first bend way, way, way too quickly. It was a fearsome fall, because he was thrown hard onto the track, but hopefully he's only shaken up. Nielsen, who everyone was really looking forward to watching, never lasted a whole race, and got himself in a tangle several times. He rode well to lead Heat 11, and tried to get in Lanham's way to bring Doyle through - but ended up making an awful hash of the first bend - thankfully Lanham had chosen an outside line. Of the other Rabbles: Perry worked really hard for his points and produced good passes of Makinen and Heeps (I think he shocked Heeps in 12 by finding some real drive on the 4th bend, 3rd lap). Grajczonek had an ordinary meeting. Newman never has a consistent night at Foxhall - he was passed in fine style by Heeps in 10, and then fell trying a big outside run when chasing, and was also passed by Ellis in 14. Morris didn't get going in Heat 4, and was definitely behind Heeps when Nielsen fell - although challenging a few seconds later when Dan Holt realised the red lights had to go on. After that Morris looked really quick, but when you get to 13 & 15, someone has to come third and last. He was off gate 4 both times - and that outside gate still looks a tough draw (16 points tonight). Doyle really is rather good at Foxhall! I'm sure it was a chain that snapped at the start in Heat 5 - he definitely went over to gate 4 after the race and picked something up. As for the last heat, you could see Doyle's frustration after the race - should he have tried to hold Tungate up to get Morris through? We will never know. For the Sackers Witches: Barker - disappointing, if truth be told - didn't look quick. In the "interval" after Haet 8, he was interviewed by Kevin Long and said he's happy and really pleased to be at Ipswich - just needs to get himself sorted out. Maybe the return to the SBA tomorrow will be a kick-start for him. Makinen - poor bloke is playing catch-up already - I don't know what to say. He's sure to be given more chances - so hopefully he can pick up some points at the SBA tomorrow and against Scunthorpe next week - otherwise, the pressure really will be on to find a replacement. Tungate - excellent. Named as Man Of the Match by sponsors Collier & Catchpole, and rightly so. Such a good motorcyclist, with a very good racing brain too. I spoke to him afterwards and he knew what was needed in the final heat - he said that he settled for second place and just concentrated on that. Works really hard on the first bend, and also produced a measured pass of Davies in 5. Risager - 8 from 4 at home is fine. A couple of good heat wins, and also looked determined when behind, trying different lines. Lanham - ditto above. Beaten on the line by Morris in 13, which will have annoyed him - another bit of a muddle while Barker was looking to help. I didn't see it, but apparently the hand he hurt at Soemrset is still a bit of a mess. Ellis - what a talented lad! Had to work really hard in Heat 2 when in second place, with Nielsen buzzing around. Good third place in Heat 11 (off gate 4 and ahead of Nielsen). Topped it with a clean-as-a-whistle pass of Newman in 14, when the pressure was on. Amazing to think he's been riding competitive speedway for less than a year - and has barely any PL experience. Heeps - another composed and clever young rider. Not spectacular, but quietly scoring good points. He may move to #2, but I'm sure he can take it in his stride - literally bounced back from being carted-off by Davies to get a valuable point in Heat 10. Well deserved victry for the Witches, who showed the overall determination that was often missing last year, and were rewarded by riding their luck and earning the points with some quality and thoughtful racing.

I don't think you're the sort of bonus the riders would like

And Nielsen. Newman's form at Foxhall is literally up and down. Davies has had some really poor matches, but is in much better form now and probably a lot more confident. Grajczonek ought to be a match for Lanham/Risager/Tungate. Overall, very tough for the home team. My biggest concern is that the Witches don't seem to have a "killer instinct" (hate that phrase, but can't think of a better way to say it).

Rain overnight, which isn't such a bad thing, and it is supposed to be clear(ish) for the rest of the day.

Just for the heck of it, here's my programme piece for this week: ------- Removed.

Expected line-ups: Sackers Witches: Barker, Mäkinen, Tungate, Risager, Lanham, Ellis, Heeps Cases Rebels: Doyle, Davies, Gracjzonek, Newman, Morris, Nielsen, Perry Likely result: Rebels to win by 6, maybe even 10.

33 points (+4 artificial joker points) is a poor effort by the Witches. It's easy to say they are rusty, but Somerset also have only had a couple of matches. I don't think Ipswich fans will be as tolerant as they have been in recent years.

Not in 1-5 results though - it may as well be a last, especially three in one match, which is obviously a net -12 deficit. It's clear though that if Makinen doesn't get going quickly, then the fans will be calling for a change. I'd like to think the Sackers Witches can do enough to get a point tonight, but the Rabbles are clear favourites - not just for this match but for the PL.

There were actually puddles at Martlesham when I left off at 18:00ish, and it is soooooo cold! It was chilly this morning, but everything seemed OK, then suddenly ...

A tough match, with the Devils looking much more balanced than previous visits. Be interesting to see what Kling does at this level. No frost last night. We've had some light snow flurries this morning, but nothing drastic. It will be very cold!

LOL! Better quality all round :-)

Similar - except that there were two ambulances at Foxhall and sufficent qualified paramedics to enable racing to continue on a reasonable timescale. Yes there were delays, but they were caused by the necessary on-track treatment to riders and repairs to the track/fence - rather than very long waits for an ambulance to return. These scenarios occur at other tracks and have even delayed at least one Sky fixture, so it seems sensible that British speedway should ensure more provision is made to have enough qualified people and suitable facilities available at every match to enable racing to continue in more practical timescales. That is a sensible suggestion - both for rider safety and to help the customer (supporter). I does not need fans to spell this out to promoters. Also, you imply that it is the responsibility of the fans to "go to the meetings keep the interest and turnover moving". It is actually the responsibility of the home promotion to provide news, information and entertainment - something that British speedway as a whole is particularly poor at doing. Once again it shouldn't need the fans to suggest ways to do this. PS: I didn't go yesterday - the comment I posted was genuinely from a friend. Also, looking back at this thread, I haven't seen any keyboard commandos complaining - the comments about the match all appear to have come from those who attended, including RH fans who gave up and left.

Quote from an Ipswich fan who gave up because of the delays after Heat 8 (the first time in 40 years he has ever left a meeting which then went on be completed): "... standing around for an hour and a half in absolute bitter cold with nothing happening. With a minimum hospital trip of 40 mins (plus time getting in/out ambulance) they should not be allowed to run without proper cover. That's it for me, no more RH."

From Twitter: Tanya Amott ‏@TanyaAmott Jason Bunyan has 4 broken ribs, a punctured lung and 4 broken wings on his vertebrae. #speedway Stephen Owens ‏@Steve_Jim_Owens Just got a text off Simon Lambert and "pretty bad broken ankle" quick speedway recovery matey!! @RyeHouseFans #Speedway

Blimey, just one match and we get an astonishing blast of sanctimonious trolling squit from a Dry Hose fan .

You are Mr Snackette, and I claim my £5 LOL!

Common denominator Hope it wasn't anything too dramatic. Can't imagine much that would have got anyone upset - maybe Lambert charging under & through Lanham, but that was about it. Dave Love ‏@Stegglesaurus A basic photostitch (using paint!) of Foxhall before today's match #speedway pic.twitter.com/OR4TptpHFn

Just about warm now after one of the coldest Foxhall meetings in living memory. The easterly wind just doesn't let up and the wind chill must have been -6C at least. Barker & Heeps the stars of the show for the Witches. Great to see the fans responding to Barker after the last heat - he was really playing to the crowd on the back straight. Rye House must be pleased with their first meeting - Allen looked happy, and their stars were Mellgren & Garrity - with Nelson also looking very competitive and not at all worried by the #5 race jacket. I spoke to Leigh Lanham afterwards - he was pleased to have got the win with that last heat 5-1, and was full of praise for Barker. Lanham himself was struggling with race fitness - he did 20 laps at KL on Thursday, but that was the first time he had sat on a bike since last season. He also admitted the cock-up in 13 when he and Barker tried to team ride, but Barker got stuck out wide - then Lanham said he thought it was Barker behind him when it was Allen, who sailed past to take the win. Overall he was happy considering few of the riders had had any laps, let alone competitive racing. Also gave big credit to Bob and the track staff, who produced a raceable track even though it was under snow on Monday. The full interview will be on the Rerun DVD . This photo shows the second attempt to start Heat 9, when Nelson got caught on the tapes: pic.twitter.com/YXIHLxaSz8

Mike Bacon posted this on Twitter yesterday: Mike Bacon ‏@Mike_Bacon 27 Mar "Spoke to Chris Louis today and he's confident. I see no reason why not, no more snow is forecast. I would say 95% all go".

Joe Screen and Joe Jacobs have tweeted track photos: @screenyJ #bobhope pic.twitter.com/hXyh9YN8Vd @JoeJacobs93 Ice Speedway http://instagram.com/p/XW-yEnrsIe/