Mr Snackette

By all accounts back in Canada, with no plans to race.

Last year's admission / season ticket announcement was made on the evening of 29th November. Given the events of recent weeks, I think most of us will understand a delay of seven days. In his email, CL states that the "early bird" discount runs to 7 January 2012, seven days longer than last year!!! When last season's prices were announced ( 29 November 2010 ), no members of the 2011 Witches' team were known. This year we know three members of the team for sure, and have a pretty good Idea about some of the others. Last year the full team was announced on 8 December, and bit like the season ticket prices, if the team announcement is a few days later this year then most will understand the reason why.

In my original post, I reckoned to a minimum of 22 meetings. I based this on 13 League meetings, 5 "Trophy" meetings, 1 KOC meeting, 1 Challenge, 1 Star of Anglia, and 1 Sixteen Lapper. In his email to season ticket holders, CL says there will be a minimum of 23 meetings, so I make that £12.83 a meeting. Given that the Witches have a successful season, then there could be another four meetings ( 3 further KOC + "Trophy Final" ), then it would be 27 meetings making it £10.93 a meeting. For some only league fixtures matter, and I must confess I include myself in that number, then clearly the season ticket isn't for you. Particularly as the play off meetings are not included.

For those that missed Mike Bacon’s piece in the Evening Star, here are the details: Sponsorship Ipswich Witches have renewed their team sponsorship with recycling giants, Sackers . The Great Blakenham-based company will again be the team’s main sponsor in 2012, with the continuation of a deal that was struck last winter, the Foxhall Heath side again to be known as Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches. Ipswich director of speedway, Chris Louis, said: “Before last season, David and Adrian Dodds, had never experienced live speedway, so it was very exciting when they made the deci- sion for Sackers Recycling, to back the Witches. “For them to immediately take up their sec- ond year option is hugely encouraging, and a massive boost for the club and everyone involved. “Along with members of their staff, they were at Foxhall each week last season supporting the team, and I know it meant a lot to the side. Louis is hoping to announce the full Ipswich 2012 side shortly: “Team building for our 2012 push for the Premier League title has started and acquiring the two hottest properties to come out of Australia in recent years, Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate, is a massive boost to the club.” Kevin Doolan will again skipper the ‘Sackers’ Witches, with Louis saying: “I don’t think the fans will be disappointed with the team we have assembled.” Sackers commercial director, Nigel Slinn, said: “Sackers Recycling have built good relationships with both Ipswich Witches and their supporters, and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of what we see as an exciting, friendly and fiercely competitive sport. “We have had tremendous feedback from sup- porters across East Anglia and beyond, who keep track of events at Foxhall, even if they have not been able to attend a meeting. Admission / Season Tickets Ipswich Witches have announced that turnstile admission prices will increase by 50p to £15.50 for adults and £12.50 for concessions, with junior prices remaining unchanged. As for season tickets, they will revert to a one season ticket type that will cover all meetings apart from any play- off meetings (plus the usual exceptions of benefits, testimonials and BSPA- shared events). The club have removed the inclusion of a programme, and this will enable them to reduce the initial price, with the traditional Early Bird prices for all season tickets purchased by December 31, available. Early Bird details: Adults £295,Concessions £230 and Juniors £70. Tickets are still available after this date (until February 29, 2012) and prices will then be: Adults £325, Concessions £250 and Juniors £75. This season also sees an on-line payment option for season tickets to allow the use of debit/credit cards . Season ticket renewal forms will be sent out to all 2011 season ticket hold- ers by e-mail or post, but any new applicants can download a form from the home page of the Witches website: www.ipswichwitches.co. Season tickets will be sold at the Speedway Office at the stadium on December 10, December 17 and January 14, from 10am-1pm. A little disappointed that they have ditched the League Only Season, but that is offset that the season ticket no longer includes the cost of a programme. This means the season is now £25 cheaper than it was last year, which is a bit of a result!! On a negative point I do feel that season ticket holders should get admission to any play off meetings, bearing in mind that an early cup exit, would probably result in the season only covering 22 meetings. Perhaps JL & CL might consider a compromise, and provide season ticket holders will the cost of 25 meetings for the price of their season, and should there be any more then “it’s all pay”. Just a thought. Update - just been on the Witches Website, and for those who want to buy on line there is a £10 admin fee.

Well if that is the case it gives the "we must have a 7.00 point rider" brigade, their wish. All I know about the boy is that he rides for Holsted, and comes with a good reputation. However I think declaring a team with three riders on assessed averages is a big risk. Still if his style is as exciting as they say, it will be interesting times ahead.

I'm not really sure what you mean...........so no change there then!!!!! Clearly your definition of RECENT, is rather different to mine. But taking that aside the most recent of those you mention would have been Hampel. Of course he was so great that when Ipswich reached the NsEL Play Offs ( which shows it was a little while ago!!!!!! ), he had to be replaced by a guest because he was withholding his services!!!! Perhaps not as dull as the likes of Stachyra, Miskowiak, Rempala......but certainly not someone you could rely upon, especially as it was so important for him to spend as much time as possible in Poland, that he rarely got to Foxhall on race days much before seven o'clock. On balance I think I'd rather settle for the vibrant, young exciting team that JL and CL are putting together.

Or indeed in the NsEL......... and after the shenanigans of last season, I can't say I blame the promoters for being very wary of signing any!!!!!! As for the PL with over half the league racing at the weekend, the logistics of using a Pole does present difficulties. More importantly judged on the ones that have been at Foxhall over recent years, they are as dull as ditch water and should be avoided like the plague!! I don't think currently any license restrictions placed on the Poles. However to race in the PL they have to be regarded as Cat. 2 riders. This means that only those rider's with an average of six or less in either the Ektraliga or Eliteserien will be classed thus, and come in to the PL on an assessed average of 7.00. Given all the baggage associated with the Poles, the assessed average makes them a real gamble. Notwithstanding the fact they could miss half your away meetings!!!!

Which is why speedway is raced on a track and not on paper. I have seen many teams that looked great on paper, but less so when they actually took to the track. Remember last year, in the Speedway Star preview, "The Great &The Good" ranked Glasgow as eleventh out of fourteen!!!!

There is a big doubt over whether Morris will ride in the UK in 2012. If he does, then Swindon are thought to be in prime position to offer him a NsEL contract, which would of course virtually rule him out for a place with the Witches.

Who knows anything is possible, but once Tres' name was put in the frame, I think the six were nailed on.

Interesting to see this clamour for a seven point rider. By my calculations the only seven point rider that rode in the PL last season that could be accommodated is Matej Kus, and I believe he has signed a contract to ride for Redcar. So unless someone can name a Category 2 rider who is looking to ride in the UK, ( and to go with three riders on assessed averages would be a hell of a risk ), I think expectations may need to be tempered.

I don't reckon you'll be seeing too many Poles in either League in 2012.

Perhaps if you want to see more Brits at Foxhall, you should be canvassing JL & CL to enter a team in the Midland Devolopment League. As I and others have said this would be a useful adjunct to their Mildenhall interests.

I think you are!! You can build a team at bang on 42.5, but if that team has little or no room for improvement then you will stagnate. It matters not what average a rider has at the start of the season, the only figure that counts is the average a rider finishes the season. Based on what I have heard I have every confidence that the team will show a significant increase over the year, and as a result will be serious title contenders. However I feel this matters little, as far more importantly it will be a team that will excite and entertain both home and away, which is, in my opinion, far more meaningful than winning championships. This whole discussion reminds of the start of the 1990 season. Mark Loram had gone off to ride for the Deadbeets, two untried Aussies were at reserve, and the view was that Norris was no replacement for Loram. Had it not been for a Monday evening in Exeter when The Frog and Greeny wipped out half the team, I think 1990 would have been one of the Witches most successful years. Clearly to be successful, a team has to be lucky with injuries, and if Ipswich are lucky, 2012 could be a very memorable year!! So basically you are suggesting that CL was lying when he spoke with Mike Bacon. Read the quote again......THEY KNEW MONTHS AGO.........and had ALWAYS PLANNED for this. Clearly your unfortunate medical condition is continuing to impact upon your cerebral reasoning.

I don't really understand the point you are trying to make. Your assertion in an earlier post that Young Bjerre's move to Awalton came as a sudden surprise resulting in long term plans having to be hurriedly rearranged, has been proved to be a complete fallacy and makes complete nonsense of your earlier argument, which is now totally discredited. On a point of information, can I respectfully remind you of Forum Rules: "Please post in plain language avoiding the use of text abbreviations" From my limited knowledge of text speak it would appear that you are suffering from some form of incontinence or bladder disorder. I appreciate that this condition can result in some cognitive impairment, so perhaps we should all be a little more understanding. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!!!

What absolute nonsense. It was known for some months that Young Bjerre would not be at Foxhall, not just by the promotion but by many others as well. CL confirmed this in Mike Bacon's piece in the EADT: “I’m very disappointed,” Witches director of speedway, Chris Louis admitted. “He was the first one down on our team sheet for next season, but we were made aware Peterborough may want him in 2012 some months ago, so we had always planned for this.........." So it was known some months ago and they had always planned for it. Consequently Heeps and Tungate will start in the reserve berths, providing Tungate retains a five point assessed average. If what my spies tell me are correct, then the seventh rider can be accommodated regardless whether Tungate is assessed at five or six. Interestingly the BSPA site have now appended an asterisk against Scunthorpe's Armstrong's average.

Jason, you are spot on. That team is capable of increasing its combined average by around seven points. If we assume that both Heeps and Tungate can achieve six point averages each, that adds four to the combined total. Based on their starting averages, I don't consider it unreasonable to think that numbers one to five can increase their individual averages by at least 0.6 each. If this can be achieved, and riders actually ride to this average, depending on the final composition of the team, one might reasonably expect that in most meetings a score of around 48 points by Heat 14 should be achievable. Now I would be the first to admit that (thankfully) meetings don't always follow this analytical approach. However I would be prepared to wager that the more succesful teams will be those that can increase their overall net averages. Whilst there appears to be some excellent teams being assembled, making the 2012 PL Season a mouth watering prospect, I have yet to see another team with the same potential to improve to the same extent that the above suggested Witches team has.

NsEL GSA 6.41 / 0.6 = 10.68 assessed PL average, which will be too high. Indeed another correspondent has written that a rider with a NsEL average in excess of 6.00 will not be able to ride in the PL, unless he did so in 2011. However I have yet to see this confirmed by any official source.

If you assume that Tres, Young Poole, and Risager will be the next three signings, and that Tungate is confirmed at 5.00, then the 7.18 available means that The Skipper will continue at number one. Under current regulations it is only the teams number one that is recognised as a heat leader, so we are really looking for a rider to fill one of the positions two to five.

I'm afraid there is no such thing as "a little bit British"....you either are, or your not. Consequently if you are, it's only right that you are assessed as per any other Brit.

I must confess I hadn't heard that Tungate might qualify under UK Patriality rules. Great news if he does of course, as this would leave 9.18 for our final rider!!!!! None the less it would be good to know, officially what's going on.

Of course that 7.18, is based upon Tungate's assessed average being confirmed at 5.00. An increase to 6.00 would limit choices to North or Sedge, or if fit Boxhall. Others have suggested that North has already done a deal elsewhere, so unless there is say an untried Scandavian waiting in the wings, choices will be limited. Also if that did happen Tungate would go straight into the team proper, and not enjoy a period in the easier reserve berth. It would be good PR if someone either from Ipswich or the BSPA could explain why Tungate's average is subject to confirmation, whilst other new young Aussies do not face this incumberance.

I think he is pencilled in to double up with Swindon and Somerset, assuming he rides in the UK next year. If that comes off a top three of Doyle, Masters, and Morris, backed up with Vissing, will make Somerset attractive opponents at Foxhall.

I haven't made any generalisations, I have made a specific comment that based on MY experience and MY opinion that I believed that racing in the PL to be better than the NsEL. A point of view that many others share, although I wouldn't be so arrogant to assume that that included everyone. Your rather banal comment was that "if your team is in the Elite then its far superior to the rubbish served up in the Premier.....", and vice versa. That old boy is a generalisation. Clearly comprehension is something of an issue, and to help you in your future discourse I have taken the liberty of attaching a definition of generalisation: "a proposition asserting something to be true either of all members of a certain class or of an indefinite part of that class." I do hope this helps, and now armed with this new found knowledge, you can now return to your beloved NsEL section with renewed vigour and authority!!!

A rather extravagant generalisation. Certainly when Ipswich were in the NsEL, I and many others were definately not offering the opinion that the racing in that league was far superior to the PL. Indeed it was the complete opposite. A diagnosis that appears to have been proved correct!!!