The Ipswich Tru7 Group Witches observe title-winning heroes, proficient newcomers and a returning membership legend as they put together for his or her Rowe Motor Oil Premiership title defence.
The Witches have been acquired by Mayfield, dad or mum firm of the FIM Speedway World Championships, and the brand new administration staff, led by co-promoters Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm and staff supervisor Paul Hurry, have assembled a staff full of energy in depth as they bid to construct on the membership’s 2025 title triumph – their first league championship success since 1998.
Followers in Suffolk welcome residence one in all Foxhall’s favorite sons as file seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls returns to the Witches one-to-seven for the primary time since 2010 in what the 47-year-old admits could also be his ultimate season within the sport after over three many years on the bike.
Skipper Danny King, double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion Tom Brennan and Essex-based rising star Jason Edwards all return from Ipswich’s 2025 Rowe Motor Oil Premiership title-winning aspect.
They’re joined by 2019 Ipswich star Richard Lawson and Polish racer Tobiasz Musielak, with Swedish sensation Philip Hellstrom-Bangs making his British league debut as he joins Edwards in a promising reserve duo.
Nicholls is happy to be again on the membership the place he rose to stardom, enjoying a starring function of their unforgettable 1998 Elite League treble-winning season alongside the likes of speedway legends Tony Rickardsson, Tomasz Gollob and Chris Louis.
He stated: “I haven’t raced for them since 2010, and I didn’t realise it was that way back really. But it surely was the place the place I grew up and watched the game and all my heroes as a child.
“I haven’t set something in stone – I’m not that kind of individual – however I’ve tentatively stated that this might be my final season, so all of it suits proper actually.
“After various visitor appearances through the years, going again as a fully-fledged Witch might be good. It was the place my profession actually began and I had my testimonial. Who is aware of? Possibly I’ll have my farewell assembly there, which might be fairly cool.
“Mayfield is taking up. Richard and Andrew appear to be very nice individuals, and they’re going to put their spin on the membership. In some methods, will probably be like going again to an outdated home that you simply lived in, however after it has been redecorated.
“I dare say there might be some new faces concerned, however there’ll nonetheless be numerous acquainted faces there too. I do know the observe, I do know the individuals, and I spent an enormous chunk of my life there. I lived in Ipswich up till I used to be in my 30s. I can’t wait to be again and see everybody once more.”
Hellstrom-Bangs is happy for his British debut season as the previous Swedish Beneath-21 champion, SON2 silver medallist and SGP2 star bids to take the subsequent step in his promising profession.
He stated: “I’m actually wanting ahead to it. I’ve been in search of a UK membership and when Ipswich known as me, I used to be actually glad.
“They made me a suggestion and we’ve got been speaking rather a lot. It appeared like an excellent deal, and I can’t wait to come back to the UK and race. I feel the Ipswich observe will match me fairly effectively. It’s small and tough, however I like grippy tracks, as all people is aware of. I’m an excellent outdoors rider.
“I wish to rating the factors for the staff and be an excellent rider that everybody can imagine in. I wish to present the followers what I can do, and the way good I’m. I wish to give them every thing they’re anticipating and be the loopy rider that I’m on the grime line.”
New Ipswich co-promoter Coleman is happy with a new-look Witches aspect, assembled amid Mayfield’s takeover talks in latest months. He stated: “As I discussed in my open letter to followers on Saturday, it’s virtually not possible to switch Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov.
“However the aspect we’ve got assembled for 2026 has loads of energy in depth. We now have riders who’re vastly skilled as warmth leaders in British speedway and a implausible mix of youth and expertise.
“Tom, Danny and Jason are all excited to be again after a implausible season in 2025, and we’re massively grateful to them for hanging on for us, regardless of the uncertainty over the membership’s plans for 2026 on the time. Their loyalty has given us the possibility to construct a aspect with actual energy in depth.
“We’re additionally excited to welcome our newcomers. Richard is within the type of his profession and Tobiasz is a three-time Premiership winner. We’re delighted to provide Philip his likelihood to impress Britain. He displayed big potential in SGP2 and SON2, the World Beneath-21 Championship occasions, and I’m certain his all-action fashion will make him a Foxhall favorite.
“It’s additionally a pleasure to welcome Scott again to Foxhall for the primary time in 16 years. If this does show to be his ultimate season, it’s solely becoming that he spends it at Ipswich. I’m certain he might be decided to exit on a excessive in his hometown.
“After a protracted winter of ready for information concerning the membership, we have been eager to share information of the aspect that Andrew and Paul labored arduous to assemble within the weeks and months whereas we concluded Mayfield’s acquisition of the membership.
“This was at a time when the opposite 4 groups within the league had just about already constructed their groups. Regardless of that, I really feel we’ve got a well-balanced aspect, and I actually hope followers will get behind the Witches class of 2026.”
Phrases and Picture by Ipswich Speedway
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