aljack

Somewhere in the middle because he is full of hot air and we all know how that can stink

So so true spot on!!! there always has to be one smart arse around and we all know who that one is lol

David Howe just looked so much quicker than anyone else and after his first race blip never looked like being beaten. I found this meeting rather boring after really looking forward to it and its not easy to find the reason. There just did not seem a real competitive edge to the racing perhaps most were trying out new machinery and set ups. Doolan seems to have started off this season like he rode most of last season which a bit worrying but Lanham, North, Tress and Tungate can all look back on a fairly satisfactory meeting without pulling any trees up. Heeps is obviously finding out his lack of gating prowess catches him out in a field of this quality but Im sure with Donkies help this will improve with time.

Looks to be a good competitive field of riders and will take some winning. Lets hope for a crash free meeting with all the riders finishing in good shape. Even after hearing Chris Louis comments on the radio still none the wiser who he will sign to take Mortens place who I feel will not ride again this season. Think Taylors rides might well be taken by that dreaded R/R that cost us so dearly last season.

Just read what Morten has to say about new season and he speaks alot of sense not setting any targets like last season which he found impossible to reach.

Just heard that Newport have been pulled out of the premier league, another sad day for speedway

All this talk of no British riders riding for the Witches this coming season is tinged with sour grapes I feel by other teams fans. Chris Louis is running a business and if that mean no British riders so be it for success and keeping the fans happy and going through the turnstiles. There is a dearth of good young British riders at the moment and cannot think of any that are anywhere near the potential of our young Aussies. Also with the elite league in Chris's thoughts in the not to distant future, these Aussie youngsters are sure to make up part of the side when that comes about.

Those averages you forecast are huge increases on their present ones and perhaps some can actually achieve those but all 7 riders is a big ask. I think on new equipement Kevin can certainly improve a great deal and who knows could become that no1 we need but expect an average of 8 from him. Morten I can see improving but by perhaps 0.5 - 1.0 points. Matt without long track commitments can improve a little say 0.5. Taylor certainly can improve about 1.0 I would say. Dakota I expect to stay about the same as he is great at foxhall but away not so sure. Then we come to the reserves who we are all raging about. Rohan Ive never seen so have to go on his Aussie form which has been great, so will expect an improvement on his 5 to something like 6.5 perhaps. Cameron is a fantastic talent but as Chris Louis says needs to learn to gate he cannot always come from the back. So an improvement from 3 to around 4.5 sounds plausable to me. So now adding my possible averages up its 8.0,7.3,7.4,7.9,5.6,6.5 & 4.5 = 47.2 I feel these are realistic averages to hope for without getting carried away and obviously they all have to stay clear of injuries to achieve these. Otherwise I expect some of those to dip below what I forecast. I will stick with my forecast of finishing in the top 6 and leave it at that. Could not agree more about Kevin being a great lad reddan. He is also a great captain the best Pete has worked with he says and knowing all this lets all hope he gets his act together on track and achieve that genuine no1 status. But remember its a huge increase from 7.19 to whats needed but heres hoping.

We must remember baldyman the Witches do not have a genuine no1 and this eventually will be decisive when the reckoning comes in my opinion. I think the Witches will make the play-offs due to us being so solid especially at the bottom end but the championship - no! Personally I think Somerset are favourites and if staying clear of injuries are destined for the title.

As I have said previously I went to the supporters meeting tuesday and talk to the management team afterwards and Chris Louis said their aim was to join the elite league again but not until it got its own house in order. Next season is not an option so who knows how long the Aussies will be riding for the Witches before they move up with some other team into the elite league. This is one of my grouches about the premier league its impossible to hold on to ones favourite riders for very long as they move up into the elite. The chance to have 3 derby meetings against Kings Lynn, Lakeside and Peterborough is a mouth watering thought and I for one hope we move up sooner rather than later back into the elite league. But in the meantime I will enjoy our basically Aussie team before they move on to pastures new, if Chris Louis waits too long that is.

Very well done Taylor it could not happen to a nicer lad. And Dakota scored 9 points so its all go-go-go for the super Witches Aussies

Yes I could not agree more always looked forward to our trips to saddlebow road and all the friendly rivalry and some fantastic races. Do you remember that race involving Chris Louis, Tony Rickardsson and Shane Parker? Inter passing between the 3 for all 4 laps with Shane just getting the nod to win the meeting for the stars, damn and blast!!! The greatest race Ive ever seen and so miss it now and cannot wait to get back into the elite league and witness some more great battles between our sides.

Certainly looking like a very solid side and with the super talented Cameron at no1 also looking capable of doing well. It remains to be seen who the last rider is but with 4.5 to play with could be a handy acquisition. Anyway whoever it is good luck to all the lads and heres hoping for an enjoyable season just like in 2011.

My sympathies baldyman on the loss of your father, I know what its like to lose a parent as Ive lost both mine now. Hi tom thumb yes I went and a very enjoyable evening it was with a few jars. There was a very friendly atmosphere as all present seemed very happy with the team put together by Chris Louis. The only words spoken (not by me) to the management team that had a little concern was that the Witches did not have a no1 and there were no English riders in the team. But as Chris, John and Pete said the Witches strength is lower down the order and its a business and Witches fans want success and there are no English riders available to try and bring this about. Chris expects Kevin to up his average by 1.5 and become a genuine no1 and theres not so much concern about heat 13 and 14 as no tacticals are now allowed in those heats. We were all very happy to hear the news that Witches are hoping to parade a team in a new junior league of 7 teams and this is to be run after the main meeting has finished. This obviously will be for junior British riders hopefully many from our local area. So who knows we might uncover a new John Louis, Tony Davey or Jeremy Doncaster etc. And the thing that pleased me most is the fact that Chris Louis wants the Witches back in the elite league when they get their own house in order (if that ever happens) but will not be next season as he wants to build up the Witches asset base. So theres a few points made obviously there were many more too many to mention. And now theres the meet the riders night at Kesgrave on March 14th and we have already got our £3 tickets for that. So with 7 weeks to go its getting ever nearer to the roar of bikes again and a very young exciting Witches team to support. Bring it on!!!

Thanks alot nick for that info I will have to find it now lol. Anyway look forward to some speedway chat at the meeting its been a long winter, roll on March.

I cannot say Ive ever been in the Selkirk Inn, is there anybody out there that have and is it really big enough to hold a meeting of this kind?

Any news on Cameron Heeps injury today? Lets hope its just very minor as icicle says

Well its flown by for me after all its only 2 months away to the first meeting. Like you cant wait to see how the team performs and I expect it to be a very exciting season for us Witches fans.

Its called jealousy baldyman, they are sick they have not got the riders the Witches have and are green with envy.

For goodness sake give it a rest about Cameron Heeps, its got very very boring

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Witches fans and speedway fans everywhere from aljack. Dont you believe it baldyman 2012 heralds a new beginning especially from aljack. Im happy with the Witches team even if I didnt get the no1 I really wanted, so what is there to bitch about anymore, nothing. A top 6 place looks to be on the cards with this exciting young side thats full of my favourite riders. I think silverware may be one step too far but who knows? But whatever theres sure going to be some very exciting passing as most of the team are capable of it hopefully home and away. So well done Chris Louis I will give credit where its due as always and although Ive had my grouches with you in the past, now thats in the past and its staying there. Amen

Lets face it what the fans want on a Sunday afternoon at West Row is be entertained by exciting young riders and whether or not all are British is immaterial. Its called value for money and without it many will stay away, so who cares if the occasional rider comes from Timbucktoo. Theres been a great deal of jealousy surrounding young Cameron Heeps and I reckon given the chance theres not many other teams would not have sought his signature if they had the chance. Anyway is it not good to have healthy competition for the young budding British riders from the few "foreigners"? I think the threesome who have brought back speedway to Mildenhall have done a wonderful job and last season was the best racing seen there for many a year and I for one whoever is signed to add to Halsey,Blackbird and Heeps will get my vote.

Now now Baldyman xmas cheer and all that, we will be on each others xmas cards list next year

Well Lovey thats fine by me and why not. 2012 heralds a new beginning for us and the new look Witches team. Lets hope for some friendly banter between us and hope it will include the success's of our new side to achieve? well we will see.

May I use this particular forum to wish all fellow Witches Fans and Speedway Fans everywhere A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS from Aljack