IPSWICH Witches have made two further changes to their side, which will come into effect after their visit to Swindon on Thursday.The Witches have been rocked by the news that Jarek Hampel has made the decision to drop the Sky Sports Elite League for the remainder of the 2009 season.

IPSWICH Witches have made two further changes to their side, which will come into effect after their visit to Swindon on Thursday.

The Witches have been rocked by the news that Jarek Hampel has made the decision to drop the Sky Sports Elite League for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Hampel is not the first foreign rider to drop British racing this season but interestingly sights the BSPA's decision to change the play off system as the final straw saying, “I have never made a secret of the fact that I find it difficult to commit to all three major leagues and maintain my best form.

“I have been struggling with a virus over the last three weeks and when the BSPA decided to move the goal posts mid way through the season as far as the Play Offs were concerned I decided it would have to be Britain that I dropped.

“I was very disappointed when I heard the news as it has changed the strategy and opportunities that were there for all the clubs, right or wrong you cannot make such a change in the middle of the season.

“I would like to apologise to all my fans at the club and around Britain but my health and career must come first.”

The management team have moved fast to cover for the departing Hampel and welcome back local favourite Scott Nicholls on loan from Coventry for the remainder of the season.

An enthused team boss Peter Simmons said, “It is disappointing to see Jarek leaving as he is such a professional and consistent points scorer but I fully understand his position and wish him well with the rest of his season.

“That said, the chance to work with such an exciting rider as Scott is something that I am really looking forward to. He has not performed to his best this season but I am very confident that a move closer to home is what he needs to put things right.”

As a result of a very busy week for the Management Team Witches fans will see another new face for their visit to Peterborough on Monday.

The struggling Piotr Swiderski is to be replaced by young Aussie Troy Batchelor.

Troy was unlucky to lose his place at table-topping Swindon after being replaced by Matej Zagar following a wrist injury. With Zagar performing very well the Swindon management were left with the difficult decision to leave the popular Aussie out of their side.

The Witches moved immediately to secure Troy's services for the remainder of the season.

Simmons said, “Piotr has struggled right from the off this season and it is such a shame as he was the main stay of our 2008 campaign, entertaining fans up and down the country with his hard charging.

“It hasn't happened for him this year and we could not wait any longer to find more consistency in the team. Troy is a rider I have watched closely since his very first laps here in the UK and he is determined to finish the season in style.

“One thing is for sure, Thursday nights have a very different look about them and our fans can rest assured that there will be no lack of entertainment at Foxhall during the run up to the Play Offs, and we intend to push for them all the way.”

Promoter John Louis is happy with the changes and commented, “I have to say that I am very happy to see the inclusion of these two exciting riders in the team. I would like to thank both Coventry and Swindon for the professionalism and cooperation shown during the loan negotiations. I would also like to congratulate young Danny on his achievement of being picked to represent Team GB at Peterborough on July 13th in the World Cup Qualifier. He deserves his place as his performances have been 1st class for the Witches, and I'm really looking forward to watching his SWC debut.”

The Witches teams for their visits to Swindon and Peterborough will be;

At Swindon;

Tia Woffinden (Guest)

Tobias Kroner

Robert Miskowiak

Danny King

Piotr Swiderski

Dawid Stachyra

Carl Wilkinson

At Peterborough;

Scott Nicholls

Tobias Kroner

Robert Miskowiak

Danny King

Troy Batchelor

Dawid Stachyra

Carl Wilkinson