Ipswich Witches 2026

[mikebv]

28 minutes ago, Hawk127 said:

It follows on from the non screening of the SoN2 last weekend. Coleman said that the production costs for this meeting and the SGP 2 & 3 were prohibitive and giving the relatively low viewing figures it simply is not a good use of the limited funds available in the sport. He also said they they are working towards getting the SGPs back on track financially which is the number one priority. It seems that the championship was in jeopardy and could have ended up being promoted by the FIM and only perhaps three or four events. The championship had been losing millions. Mayfield Sports had/have sold out the first five GPs so it is looking optimistic. The decision not to screen SoN 2 was taken many months back and the same for SGP 2 & 3. WBD buys the television rights from Mayfield and it is up to WBD how they choose to use them. Some events don’t have particularly high viewing figures and the job Mayfield inherited was to try and sort out the Speedway GP first and foremost. Cost benefit analysis means it does not make sense to screen SoN 2 live. Even though the cameras were at the track, they could not film or broadcast it because Mayfield have sold the rights and would not be able to broadcast it. Another reason is the cost of the rigging. It would need to be in place on Thursday and this cost an additional Euro 60k -80k. Some general comments are made. Then Coleman moves on by saying they have concerns outside the the world GP particularly with the leagues in Sweden, Denmark and Britain and says that there is no point in doing a great at the top of the pyramid if it is crumbling underneath. There are a number of systemic issues and a number of issues in terms of governance and direction that need to be solved. There is a lot of naval gazing that goes on in speedway. Ultimately he thinks that there sport has five years to turn itself around. There are a number we are trying to move the needle on. But we have only been here for six months or so it is a challenge but hopefully we can keep as much goodwill as possible from the fans and do the best job we can.

That is about it. Hope it is useful

Richard must have a log in on here...

[IainB]

1 hour ago, YeOldPitGate said:

Hi can you expand on the gist of the article in the star a bit can't get it where I live thanks.

I think the town cryer is reading it out at midday if you hurry 😂

[GeneralMelchett]

28 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

I agree with the suggestion some clubs postpone matches far too early, but Ipswich themselves postponed a match when fans were in the stadium.

The ideal situation, is somewhere in the middle of these scenarios.

Absolutely - the comments I reference came directly after a paragraph on that postponement. I sensed a slight element of frustration that that match was called off - maybe i read it wrong but that was my takeaway! 

I know remember when pre-emptive postponements became a thing (maybe 2023 season) - I recall that in most cases these were justified in that rain on the day meant that the matches would in all likelikehood be called off. However not sure for this season or last. 

 

[SPEEDY69]

6 hours ago, YeOldPitGate said:

How are the crowds compared to this time last year 60-70% of 2025 levels ?

I'd say just the same as last year so far.

[YeOldPitGate]

10 hours ago, Hawk127 said:

It follows on from the non screening of the SoN2 last weekend. Coleman said that the production costs for this meeting and the SGP 2 & 3 were prohibitive and giving the relatively low viewing figures it simply is not a good use of the limited funds available in the sport. He also said they they are working towards getting the SGPs back on track financially which is the number one priority. It seems that the championship was in jeopardy and could have ended up being promoted by the FIM and only perhaps three or four events. The championship had been losing millions. Mayfield Sports had/have sold out the first five GPs so it is looking optimistic. The decision not to screen SoN 2 was taken many months back and the same for SGP 2 & 3. WBD buys the television rights from Mayfield and it is up to WBD how they choose to use them. Some events don’t have particularly high viewing figures and the job Mayfield inherited was to try and sort out the Speedway GP first and foremost. Cost benefit analysis means it does not make sense to screen SoN 2 live. Even though the cameras were at the track, they could not film or broadcast it because Mayfield have sold the rights and would not be able to broadcast it. Another reason is the cost of the rigging. It would need to be in place on Thursday and this cost an additional Euro 60k -80k. Some general comments are made. Then Coleman moves on by saying they have concerns outside the the world GP particularly with the leagues in Sweden, Denmark and Britain and says that there is no point in doing a great at the top of the pyramid if it is crumbling underneath. There are a number of systemic issues and a number of issues in terms of governance and direction that need to be solved. There is a lot of naval gazing that goes on in speedway. Ultimately he thinks that there sport has five years to turn itself around. There are a number we are trying to move the needle on. But we have only been here for six months or so it is a challenge but hopefully we can keep as much goodwill as possible from the fans and do the best job we can.

That is about it. Hope it is useful

All sensible stuff by the sounds of it, personally think the gp could do with being pared back to 6 rounds ideally, interesting he mentions those looking to move the needle maybe he's referring to Harry and Linda's massive efforts behind the scenes.

Also he mentions get the GP back on track financially which seems to indicate at one point it was at least breaking even I wonder when it all started to go wrong, maybe Flagrag might have an insight given he seems close to the media side of things, interested in hearing any views on this if anyone has anything to add.

 

[YeOldPitGate]

9 hours ago, IainB said:

I think the town cryer is reading it out at midday if you hurry 😂

Is this one of Harry's new idea's to expand the reach of the sport ?

[YeOldPitGate]

4 hours ago, SPEEDY69 said:

I'd say just the same as last year so far.

Massive result if that's the case.

[noaksey]

1 hour ago, YeOldPitGate said:

All sensible stuff by the sounds of it, personally think the gp could do with being pared back to 6 rounds ideally, interesting he mentions those looking to move the needle maybe he's referring to Harry and Linda's massive efforts behind the scenes.

Also he mentions get the GP back on track financially which seems to indicate at one point it was at least breaking even I wonder when it all started to go wrong, maybe Flagrag might have an insight given he seems close to the media side of things, interested in hearing any views on this if anyone has anything to add.

 

I think the demise of the speedway GP finances may well be linked to the fall off in Cardiff attendances/sponsorship hence why it was the first to be cut 

[IainB]

Just now, noaksey said:

I think the demise of the speedway GP finances may well be linked to the fall off in Cardiff attendances/sponsorship hence why it was the first to be cut 

Others were cut before Cardiff, big city Danish and Swedish venues and that was during the BSI/IMG era

[89buttons]

On 5/29/2026 at 6:46 AM, ouch said:

 

With regards Jaimon, which is his usual performance at Foxhall, 1 or 13?

Somewhere in between, the 1 is a bit of an anomaly with an engine failure and exclusion although he was out of it already when his engine went pop.

typically around Foxhall he won’t fancy it first ride when the tracks really grippy and will make a couple of starts later on and get beaten in heat 13

0, 2, 3, 0 more typical

[Aries]

Anyone know if Kennett was there and had a spin after the meeting Thursday?

That was the plan apparently. 

[YeOldPitGate]

14 hours ago, IainB said:

Others were cut before Cardiff, big city Danish and Swedish venues and that was during the BSI/IMG era

Plus they tried a few gp's in Aussie but eventually that was axed also, could have done with trying to get one in the USA when Hancock was either champ/near the top but that never happened guessing again due to costs of getting all the equipment over to California.

[ShanoXtra]

4 hours ago, Aries said:

Anyone know if Kennett was there and had a spin after the meeting Thursday?

That was the plan apparently. 

I didn’t see him after the meeting. 6 races for the juniors and x2 times Scott Nichols came out to practice and that was it.

[TB1]

1 hour ago, ShanoXtra said:

I didn’t see him after the meeting. 6 races for the juniors and x2 times Scott Nichols came out to practice and that was it.

I believe Scott told the local media he wasn’t happy with his set up, hence the practice afterwards.

[YeOldPitGate]

17 hours ago, noaksey said:

I think the demise of the speedway GP finances may well be linked to the fall off in Cardiff attendances/sponsorship hence why it was the first to be cut 

Personally think two things killed Cardiff it never seemed to get good crowds post covid and the year Bewley one it the track was terrible/a disgrace that was in my opinion the final nail in the coffin.