Ipswich Witches 2026

[TB1]

39 minutes ago, IainB said:

It's what a lot of people like to do... go and look at the Scunny thread about the announcement of an announcement and a lot were saying Scunny were going NDL... until Picko signed and now they're nailed on Champions 😂

The elephant in the room is or is never appearing to be addressed by the powers that be, lack of riders or finance for riders or development of riders for example. I think if someone done a straw pole of riders who quit in the last 20 years because they couldn't afford it I think the numbers would be shocking. 

[Gavan]

4 hours ago, Jonny the spud said:

As usual ….inside information found in the bottom of a bottle. 

Totally agree 

As I said all sorts of rumours flying around 

[SteveArena]

Robert Lambert to replace him Gavan?

[cowboy cookie returns?]

Plenty of rumours flying around.

The one that was doing the rounds for a few weeks was confirmed on Friday.

The others I’ve heard or seen here are,

Rew to return: I can see that happening to be honest.

Thompson leaving: I can’t see it personally. 

Ellis not riding in the uk: I find this hard to believe & I’d certainly have him back at Ipswich in 2026.

King going elsewhere: Now this one I could believe, a little bit like Emil in that it’s mission accomplished now.  Maybe it’s a good time for this chapter to close, but I think much will depend on Danny.

Depending on the regulations though if it’s a 40 point limit again then surely we can only go with 2 of the above if it’s a lower limit maybe 3 or possibly all 4.

Its silly season at the moment so who knows what is going to happen, even Bewley has been mentioned.

It seems certain that Doyle & Brennan will return & I can see Edwards as the R/S or number 7 if the RS is scrapped.

Intriguing times however Louis & Hawkins now know that the public will turn out to support a strong side so I expect us to build well to defend the title.

[ShanoXtra]

24 minutes ago, cowboy cookie returns? said:

Plenty of rumours flying around.

The one that was doing the rounds for a few weeks was confirmed on Friday.

The others I’ve heard or seen here are,

Rew to return: I can see that happening to be honest.

Thompson leaving: I can’t see it personally. 

Ellis not riding in the uk: I find this hard to believe & I’d certainly have him back at Ipswich in 2026.

King going elsewhere: Now this one I could believe, a little bit like Emil in that it’s mission accomplished now.  Maybe it’s a good time for this chapter to close, but I think much will depend on Danny.

Depending on the regulations though if it’s a 40 point limit again then surely we can only go with 2 of the above if it’s a lower limit maybe 3 or possibly all 4.

Its silly season at the moment so who knows what is going to happen, even Bewley has been mentioned.

It seems certain that Doyle & Brennan will return & I can see Edwards as the R/S or number 7 if the RS is scrapped.

Intriguing times however Louis & Hawkins now know that the public will turn out to support a strong side so I expect us to build well to defend the title.

I would love to see an ‘outside of the box’ option and finally get one season with Emil’s replacement as Zmarzlik, Louis tried in 2024 but schedules didn’t suit. Fresh start to a season to plan? Likelihood… 99% no. But Louis does think out of the box and isn’t afraid to splash the cash to bring the public in, he knows how deflated the fans will be after seeing Emil go and those heat 13/15 won’t hit the same, but bringing a multi world champion in to replace, now that would bring intrigue to the sport to see how he would ride in Britain and his dominance. Highly unlikely but I’d love to see that kind of move pulled when the riders are announced!

[cowboy cookie returns?]

1 hour ago, ShanoXtra said:

I would love to see an ‘outside of the box’ option and finally get one season with Emil’s replacement as Zmarzlik, Louis tried in 2024 but schedules didn’t suit. Fresh start to a season to plan? Likelihood… 99% no. But Louis does think out of the box and isn’t afraid to splash the cash to bring the public in, he knows how deflated the fans will be after seeing Emil go and those heat 13/15 won’t hit the same, but bringing a multi world champion in to replace, now that would bring intrigue to the sport to see how he would ride in Britain and his dominance. Highly unlikely but I’d love to see that kind of move pulled when the riders are announced!

That would certainly be left field. I could see Bewley ending up at Foxhall to be honest.

Maybe Zmarzlik & Emil here for Doyle’s testimonial?

[Youhave2minutes]

1 hour ago, cowboy cookie returns? said:

That would certainly be left field. I could see Bewley ending up at Foxhall to be honest.

Maybe Zmarzlik & Emil here for Doyle’s testimonial?

Bewley struggles to get around the place

[Bagpuss]

1 minute ago, Youhave2minutes said:

Bewley struggles to get around the place

You keep saying this but it's simply not true, he's said himself he enjoys the track and it's always different when you are riding a circuit regularly as a home rider rather than an occasional visitor.

[Racin Jason 72]

1 Doyle

2 Ellis 

3 Musielak 

4 Rew

5 Brennan

6 Thompson 

7 Edwards 

this comes in under the 40 point limit if indeed it remains. 

[arnieg]

32 minutes ago, Bagpuss said:

You keep saying this but it's simply not true, he's said himself he enjoys the track and it's always different when you are riding a circuit regularly as a home rider rather than an occasional visitor.

Over last 3 seasons Bewley has averaged 6.08 over 10 matches at Foxhall.

That is substantially worse than any other Premiership track [I think 7.50 at Birmingham is his next lowest]

[Youhave2minutes]

21 minutes ago, Racin Jason 72 said:

1 Doyle

2 Ellis 

3 Musielak 

4 Rew

5 Brennan

6 Thompson 

7 Edwards 

this comes in under the 40 point limit if indeed it remains. 

Stear clear of Musielak.

[Bagpuss]

Just now, Youhave2minutes said:

Stear clear of Musielak.

He was quite clearly dropping his average last season.....will be interesting to see where he ends up 

[Youhave2minutes]

Just now, Bagpuss said:

He was quite clearly dropping his average last season.....will be interesting to see where he ends up 

On the scrap heap. Don’t like his antics

[TTT]

If I was a promoter then I'd be throwing money at Musielak, I'd really like to see him at Foxhall next season but I suspect that Sheffield will want Tobi back.

Only reason why Tobi's average is that low is because he found himself at No.1 riding for a club with no morale whatsoever and a Home track that had inconsistent preparation 24/7.

Easily a full point worth of improvement in his GSA.....Possibly more if it's a weakend league.

[TTT]

34 minutes ago, Racin Jason 72 said:

1 Doyle

2 Ellis 

3 Musielak 

4 Rew

5 Brennan

6 Thompson 

7 Edwards 

this comes in under the 40 point limit if indeed it remains. 

That would be the 1-7 I'd go for as well if it's a 40.00 Limit.

Very good side.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

4 minutes ago, TTT said:

If I was a promoter then I'd be throwing money at Musielak, I'd really like to see him at Foxhall next season but I suspect that Sheffield will want Tobi back.

Only reason why Tobi's average is that low is because he found himself at No.1 riding for a club with no morale whatsoever and a Home track that had inconsistent preparation 24/7.

Easily a full point worth of improvement in his GSA.....Possibly more if it's a weakend league.

Except he was top scorer at home most weeks and went to places like belle vue and Sheffield and did nothing 

[TTT]

3 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Except he was top scorer at home most weeks and went to places like belle vue and Sheffield and did nothing 

Got to take into account multiple situations to be fair

The dross Birmingham had.

Tobi getting 6 Rides most weeks.

Some tactical EF's to avoid ending the season with a much bigger GSA that would've seen him at a bottom end club again.

[89buttons]

23 minutes ago, arnieg said:

Over last 3 seasons Bewley has averaged 6.08 over 10 matches at Foxhall.

That is substantially worse than any other Premiership track [I think 7.50 at Birmingham is his next lowest]

Bewley would soon get dialled in at Foxhall as a home rider, he’s never been far off the pace or anything while not racking up big scores admittedly. Have to remember nearly all of his races in those 10 meetings you mention he’s come up against either Emil or Doyle or both, as a home rider a rider with his ability would soon be turning the table and flying round Foxhall lowering the colours of opposition 1&5’s that are only occasionally suiting rather than riding there every week

[PersonalResponsibility]

27 minutes ago, arnieg said:

Over last 3 seasons Bewley has averaged 6.08 over 10 matches at Foxhall.

That is substantially worse than any other Premiership track [I think 7.50 at Birmingham is his next lowest]

Yeah but he's enjoyed every minute of it!

[TTT]

Bewley's the dream replacement for Emil (Dreams do come true sometimes lol).

However let's say Bewley is a NO GO and we're allowed to pick one rider who finished the 2025 season in a declared 1-7 to replace Emil then who are you picking and why?

Musielak for me because he can ride technical UK tracks well, Has expressed an interest in riding for Ipswich in the past and his GSA represents value.