Aries

It's all subjective when it comes to tracks. You will always have those that prefer big fast tracks even if it produces little passing. Personally I prefer to see a good track shape that provides good entertainment over a bigger fast track that doesn't. Plymouth is only 216 metres in length, but IMO that provides far better racing that I've seen, than much bigger tracks such as Berwick and Sheffield. Full credit to Chris Louis for not just sitting on what he has, and making the effort to improve the racing at Foxhall. I know the work done previously was far more complicated and difficult than he realised at the time, so good on him for tackling it again this winter in the hopes of producing a better racing strip.

Not sure why Baldy has come in for some stick on here lately because it's undeserved IMO. Firstly as has been pointed out, he spends a shed load of his hard earned travelling up and down the country SUPPORTING the Witches so he's more than entitled to post his views positive or negative. Secondly, there's hardly been anything to post positively about the Witches this season has there? It's been a diabolical season up to now and there's no point sugar coating it.

RIP CardinalSin

Not sure if anyone else has a Sigalos avatar on here as I very rarely frequent this forum anymore, but I assume you're referring to me here? Firstly, there has been about 40 odd pages since I last visited the forum on this thread, I'm certainly not that interested these days to be trawling through every one of them to see if there's something relevant that I may have missed. Through work and family commitments I've lost interest in speedway to a degree, but still attend one or two a season and keep in touch of results etc via the Ipswich Star. I had a peek on here yesterday to see a few hinting at something changing that I genuinely had no idea about. One or two have been helpful in their replies, (thank you), whilst you have replied with a pompous and condescending post. And the "one of them has a Sigalos image as their avatar, surprises me not...." What the fu ck is that supposed to mean you complete and utter prick?

Well I'm another who seems to be out of the loop here! I'm guessing this has something to do with Guy Nicholls at Trucks 'R' Us?

CL has confirmed on twitter that Kerr will be riding for Lakeside. So what do we have to play with in terms of a guest?

I know we haven't even started the 2016 season yet, but could the promotion have a big decision to make next winter regarding 2017? It seems that fixed race nights in the EL will come in to force next year, with one of those nights rumoured to be Thursday's. Do we stick with PL and change our regular race night which we've had since the 50's, or twist and rejoin the EL? Or maybe they'll finally try the one big league again? Next winter will be interesting.

Having just seen the absolute state of yours, I'll take ours all day long ta

I like this team. You have King and Covatti giving you box office entertainment, and the newbies gives the team a fresh new look. Some people like to have the continuity of the same faces every year, I personally prefer to see fresh faces every year so a thumbs up from me.

Which is what? Perhaps Phil Hilton was just giving his honest opinions, just like we all have on here? Difference is Phil Hilton seems to have given his in a private conversation and away from social media. A little naïve perhaps, but I bet he's regretting it now!

Is getting in the play offs a money spinner? Not convinced. You'd probably save more money on a cheaper team that didn't make the play offs than a team of big hitters that did make the play offs. Don't think the crowd levels would differentiate too much to make a difference in either scenario. You'd think both King and Kennett would be on top dollar and to include both in your team would undoubtedly be expensive.

Could we afford a spearhead of Kennett King and Covatti? Sounds rather expensive to me.

I personally thought Hilton did come out with credit. I didn't hear any petty squabbling from his side, I thought he was pretty calm and collected although obviously hurt by what Hawkins had to say. He even praised Hawkins for helping the team and changing tyres for team mates up at Glasgow.

Well yes exactly and that should have been the case. But Hawkins has decided not to do that, and the manager quite rightly, has decided to give his side and defend himself.

We'll agree to disagree.

Nah not for me. What was he supposed to do? You could tell he was upset by the criticism and was defending himself. You say Hilton should have just left it to "sorry to see him go" but why should he? He's a right to defend himself. I'd say there was absolutely no need for Hawkins to bring the manager in to it in the first place! He's obviously spat the dummy after being taken out of rides this season and should have taken it on the chin and handled it better. No need to publically have a pop at the manager for doing so. Opinions and all that obviously.

Agreed. Would also be nice if the promotion came out and backed the manager here and showed him a bit of support. Stick at it Phil!

And at Foxhall it was a top 5 31-23 in Ipswich' favour, with an unbeaten King and Tungate in two of the last three heats before fog intervened It was a good test for us over the couple of meetings with Somerset as both sides are fancied to be at the upper end of the table. Good point made earlier, if they had been play offs we would have won convincingly over the two legs so although it's encouraging, it's a long season and a completely different day next time we meet.

We need to win this fixture for sure. Although Rye took the full 4 points, just the win and 3 points won't be a disaster as long as we stop Rye taking a point at Foxhall in a few weeks as we took a point at their place. If we then take the full 3 points at home to Somerset next week that will tie us on points. Lots of if buts and maybe's I know, but first things first we need to pull off a win tomorrow which won't be easy.

Noticed Heeps in deep conversation with a paramedic about his left wrist. Thought he would be fully over the injury which hampered him last year, but unfortunately looks like he's still struggling with it unless it was a new injury.

TBF TheSpecialOne has a point, aren't the normal Thursday meetings advertised on the website as 7.30pm start? 7.30 is the parade, first race is 7.45 on a Thursday evening. The parade on Good Friday is 1.45pm, first race 2.00pm, so in terms of clarity and consistency shouldn't the website be stating the start time as 1.45pm rather than 2.00pm? Interestingly, the BSPA website have the start time of 1.45pm http://www.speedwaygb.co/homepage

http://www.ipswichwitches.co/index.php/news-centre/932-double-header-against-panthers-on-good-Friday Thought Blackbird was missing?

Wells was definitely booked as I remember reading quotes from Louis saying they moved early to secure him. As Bruv says Doolan has started the season better than he has for a few seasons so doesn't look a bad choice. We had all this guest stuff last year with Ellis and now we've got to put up with it again this year with King and Nielsen. Others are also in the same boat so it's where we are in this day and age so we've gotta get on with it I suppose as frustrating as it is.

Anyone got google earth on their PC? If you have and feeling a bit bored like me, have a look at Foxhall stadium. It must have been updated over the past year or so because when I had a look a while back it was still showing the old track but now it's definitely the current shape as the stands are in place on the back straight. Looks a decent shape to be honest.