IT took Jerran Hart all of two seconds to say he would ride for Ipswich Witches in 2011.

IT took Jerran Hart all of two seconds to say he would ride for Ipswich Witches in 2011.

The 19-year-old Ipswich-born youngster was on the verge of signing for another club, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to turn out for his home-town side in a move he describes as ‘a dream’.

Hart is one of three teenagers named in next season’s Witches Premier League team and the former Stoke High School pupil couldn’t contain his delight.

“I’ve wanted to ride speedway for the Witches since . . . well since I was born,” he said.

“It’s a dream for me, a total dream.

“I was so close to signing for another club, but when Chris Louis called, it changed everything. Ipswich are a big club and I was never going to turn down the chance to ride for them.”

Hart has been a regular on the terraces on a Thursday night at Foxhall over the past few years, but it’s in the pits where he will now be on a Thursday night throughout the summer next year, and he thinks Witches fans are in for a treat.

“The team Chris (Louis) has put together is unbelievable,” he said.

“All my mates and people I have talked to can’t believe how good it is. I’m not going to say we are going to win the Premier League, but we will be up there.

“And the fans will love the Premier League. While the Elite League is fine, many of the riders just want to earn money. Of course money is important, but in the Premier League, we want to entertain too.

“The fans will notice the difference. My only worry is that as a home-town boy I could be on the end of some criticism, like Leigh Lanham was.

“But I hope not and as long as I give everything during my racing, the fans will be fine.”

Having just recovered from a broken wrist, ankle and heel, after a crash at Redcar at the end of last year, Hart is working hard to get himself in top shape for the season ahead.

“Ipswich couldn’t have come calling at a better time,” he said.

“I’ve recovered from my injuries and I can’t wait for March.”

Like John and Chris Louis, Scott Nicholls, Jeremy Doncaster and many others, Hart joins an elite band of Ipswich-born and bred speedway riders who have ridden for the Witches.

And you can hear the excitement in his voice.

n WITCHES young Danish star Lasse Bjerre is doubling-up for King’s Lynn in the Elite League in 2011.

FACTFILE