IPSWICH Witches director Chris Louis has been left fuming, after tonight’s Elite League opponents at Foxhall Stadium Belle Vue, were granted a guest replacement for Swede Peter Karlsson.

Karlsson is missing from the Aces line-up in order to ride for his Polish League club in a re-arranged fixture. Normally no facility would be allowed to cover for a Swedish rider who has absented himself to ride in Poland.

However on this occasion it has been ruled by the BSPA that as both fixtures are rearranged, with the Polish match date having been set first, Belle Vue have been given permission to use a guest, and they have brought in Peterborough’s Rory Schlein.

It’s a decision Louis is far from happy about.

“This decision doesn’t follow any procedure I’m aware of and there is nothing in rulebook or anywhere else for that matter to allow Belle Vue to have a guest for a rider who is riding in another League,” Louis said.

“I just find it incredible. As a sport we are so inflexible at times and at other times are ridiculously flexible.”

That apart, the Witches will desperately want to put last week’s humiliating defeat by Swindon behind them. The Suffolk side blew a 12-point lead, to lose by a point, with many pointing the finger at Robert Miskowiak ‘s one point tally as the reason why the points were lost.

Louis says he has spoken to the Polish rider.

“I’m looking for a big reaction from Robert on Thursday,” Louis added.

“I appreciate he had a problem with his bike in his first race, but quite frankly his attitude after that was appalling. He is a seasoned professional and a good rider. He should use his experience to get over things quicker.”

Tonight’s meeting sees Leigh Lanham return to Foxhall after his aborted spell two seasons ago, when the club let him leave after a barren time in the team.

But Lanham is finding his form again, much to Louis’ delight.

“He’s a great bloke and it was horrible to have to get rid of him in the way we did,” Louis added.

“But he’s doing really well now and I’m really pleased for him, although I hope he has complete nightmare against us on Thursday!”

Tonight’s team

Ipswich: 1 S Nicholls, 2 O Allen, 3 D King, 4 A Dryml, 5 R Miskowiak, 6 D Stachyra, 7 L Sundstrom

Belle Vue: 1 H Andersen, 2 J Wright, 3 P Hougaard, 4 R/R, 5 R Schlein, 6 W Lawson, L Lanham

(N) Tonight members of the Armed Forces will be allowed into Foxhall Stadium free as part of the British Speedway Support Our Troops initiative.

All serving soldiers, sailors and airmen are invited to attend the meeting free of charge on production of their ID card.

Table

P Pts.

Poole 17 46

Lakeside 16 32

Wolves 16 31

Belle Vue 18 26

Peterborough 16 25

Swindon 14 19

Coventry 15 16

Eastbourne 17 15

Ipswich 17 14