Ipswich Witches 2026

[Gavan]

8 hours ago, Phannan said:

That Brady Kurtz needs to sort out his attitude and effort when he’s racing. Just the 18 from 6 yesterday…

All I’m saying about Kurtz is that British speedway is a fair way down his list of priorities and sometimes that clearly shows…. Whereas someone like Bewley or Doyle when he was here would give 110% everytime 

And yes I’m correct when I say Kurtz has to step up especially away while Bewley is out .. he can’t be getting 8 from 5 away from home 

If you look back on the GP threads i wanted Kurtz to be world champion so it’s not as some people think that I don’t like him ……. Just he can be flaky at times with his riding in the UK and not his fault but as a number one he needs 12 or 13 a meeting not 8

[TTT]

40 minutes ago, CTRSports said:

Mayfield are also responsible for there being Speedway at Foxhall and you don't always know the ins and outs of what is going on behind the scenes 

The lad has only rode a handful meetings and looked quite stylish at home scoring 5+2 on his debut which was a reasonable return, 3+1 away at Lynn was poor but same meeting Kvech only scored 3+1 too, and Belle Vue away was disappointing 1+1

Still a young man finding his feet riding in the UK for the first time, he really needs some home meetings on a decent track to get his confidence up for the away trips as most circuits he'll have very limited time on, I think fans calling for him to be sacked so early need to reel it in a little bit

Doesn't change the fact that this situation is a mess, Like some others I've also heard he's not coming back at all.

Mayfield and Paul Hurry have only backtracked on Kennett because he didn't show up for practice / training.

With all due respect, How can you say give the lad a chance when Mayfield and Paul Hurry have already put out a prior statement saying Hellstrom-Bangs would basically get sacked if Kennett does half decent in a 28 Day period?

[TTT]

40 minutes ago, chun said:

why the impulse to sack him after just a few weeks?  its a good move to bring in jake mulford as a guest.  maybe PHB's performances have been hindered by some mental health struggles in the early part of the season and this break is giving him space to get his head right

He's not coming back at all from what I and others have been told.

If it's mental health then we've got a Swedish Craig Cook situation on our hands which doesn't benefit anyone in the long run.

No Club wanted Jake Mulford as a Rising Star let alone No.6 so I don't see how that's a good move to bring him in as a Guest tbh.

[siggysigalos]

This miff about Mayfield and Paul Hurry is quite alarming, did Mayfield really save Speedway at Foxhall, i attended for the 1st time last Thursday and i'm not sure they have saved anything really. It took me back to the days at Foxhall before Covid, quite dull racing, not much personality about either team really, although Northampton do have Troy Batchelor, and i doubt even he can remember the last time he smiled, so Northampton can be excused on his behalf. Yes decent crowd, which was good to see, but how much longer will it last, especially with the saga of Kennett, is that all Paul Hurry can attract, i expect it is. Richard Lawson also from my opinion, doesnt know the meaning of Team or Team Spirit, and clearly has an issue of wearing Ipswich kit before a meeting in the pits, and don't get me started on what i saw with his equipment??? For me, not sure how i really felt, definitely haven't missed it, which is disappointing after 46 Years of supporting this great club. I will say on Bangs, yes give the lad a chance, but rumours are growing he isn't coming back, if that's the case, Mayfield and Hurry need to get a replacement in now, not on a 28 day contract. It seems Speedway in the UK for 2026 is in a very bad place and shows no signs of improving. On Lawson, it seems they want him out, but simply can't get anybody over the line, is that the saviour of Speedway at Foxhall the Mayfield gang, or is it down to rider's not wanting to ride for Hurry, i'd say the latter if i'm honest, but i'm always wrong. Let's see what the next few days bring after the Manchester GP's, there maybe a little movement on riders when that is over, let's hope so, not just for Ipswich, but Speedway in general in the UK.  

[DaveWayne]

2 hours ago, mikebv said:

The most embarrassing part being that he took nearly THREE laps to go from last to first in one race...

 

No, but taking 3 laps to go from 1st to last at Owlerton last week was embarassing.

It's laughable that Belle Vue fans are crowing about how well Kurtz is riding in Poland. All you are doing is proving that he is far more committed to them than he is to you.

[mikebv]

1 minute ago, DaveWayne said:

No, but taking 3 laps to go from 1st to last at Owlerton last week was embarassing.

It's laughable that Belle Vue fans are crowing about how well Kurtz is riding in Poland. All you are doing is proving that he is far more committed to them than he is to you.

I would be amazed if he isn't...

If one employer paid me ten times what the other did, I too would be exactly the same...

Especially in such a dangerous profession, and even more so on the (as Craig Cook put it in last weeks Speedway Star), "always inconsistent" tracks of the UK...

[Whitelinehugger]

3 minutes ago, mikebv said:

I would be amazed if he isn't...

If one employer paid me ten times what the other did, I too would be exactly the same...

Especially in such a dangerous profession, and even more so on the (as Craig Cook put it in last weeks Speedway Star), "always inconsistent" tracks of the UK...

Rubbish prep

[Hamish McRaker]

Lewis Bridger next for a comeback?

[Aries]

1 hour ago, CTRSports said:

Mayfield are also responsible for there being Speedway at Foxhall and you don't always know the ins and outs of what is going on behind the scenes 

The lad has only rode a handful meetings and looked quite stylish at home scoring 5+2 on his debut which was a reasonable return, 3+1 away at Lynn was poor but same meeting Kvech only scored 3+1 too, and Belle Vue away was disappointing 1+1

Still a young man finding his feet riding in the UK for the first time, he really needs some home meetings on a decent track to get his confidence up for the away trips as most circuits he'll have very limited time on, I think fans calling for him to be sacked so early need to reel it in a little bit

 

51 minutes ago, GeneralMelchett said:

agree completely - needs a bit of time - people seemed very enthused by his signing but because he hasn't scored massively they are now wanting him replaced after just a few meetings. The proposed solution seemed nonsensical to me and at least that has been reversed now. 

Sorry but I disagree with both of you. I’ve been watching Speedway for more years than I care to remember, as have many. I’d like to think I can spot a rider who’s trying hard, but struggling, and one that isn’t. It hasn’t been the lack of scoring from Bangs that has disappointed me so far, it’s been a distinct lack of real effort that to me looks as plain as day.

If others want to disagree that’s fine, no problem with that. But nothing will change my mind. 

Something just hasn’t been right with him right from the get go.

Perhaps he’ll return (I’m not convinced) and whatever issues he’s having will be resolved? We can only hope that’s the case

[Whitelinehugger]

Just now, Hamish McRaker said:

Lewis Bridger next for a comeback?

Followed by Dean Barker  and David Norris

[Phannan]

1 hour ago, Gavan said:

All I’m saying about Kurtz is that British speedway is a fair way down his list of priorities and sometimes that clearly shows…. Whereas someone like Bewley or Doyle when he was here would give 110% everytime 

And yes I’m correct when I say Kurtz has to step up especially away while Bewley is out .. he can’t be getting 8 from 5 away from home 

If you look back on the GP threads i wanted Kurtz to be world champion so it’s not as some people think that I don’t like him ……. Just he can be flaky at times with his riding in the UK and not his fault but as a number one he needs 12 or 13 a meeting not 8

That’s fair comment. Can’t argue with that.

[Phannan]

10 minutes ago, Whitelinehugger said:

Followed by Dean Barker  and David Norris

Followed by Middlo, but won’t ride further north than Northampton 😬

[Phannan]

34 minutes ago, DaveWayne said:

No, but taking 3 laps to go from 1st to last at Owlerton last week was embarassing.

It's laughable that Belle Vue fans are crowing about how well Kurtz is riding in Poland. All you are doing is proving that he is far more committed to them than he is to you.

We all like to see our favourite riders do well , in whatever league in whatever country I reckon 

[DaveWayne]

12 minutes ago, Phannan said:

We all like to see our favourite riders do well , in whatever league in whatever country I reckon 

I don't disagree with that, but why post about it on an Ipswich thread ? Previous references to him on here have been accusations of him not pulling his weight away from home for Belle Vue and that he has other priorities. All you have done is to back up that theory. 😉

[TTT]

I hope I'm wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if King's Lynn released Castagna and then Mayfield sign him as a No.6.

[YeOldPitGate]

2 hours ago, chun said:

why the impulse to sack him after just a few weeks?  its a good move to bring in jake mulford as a guest.  maybe PHB's performances have been hindered by some mental health struggles in the early part of the season and this break is giving him space to get his head right

Wonder if he would be willing to double up to give his confidence a boost

[foreverblue]

1 hour ago, mikebv said:

I would be amazed if he isn't...

If one employer paid me ten times what the other did, I too would be exactly the same...

Especially in such a dangerous profession, and even more so on the (as Craig Cook put it in last weeks Speedway Star), "always inconsistent" tracks of the UK...

Oh I thought he was talking about himself!