The patience and support of the Ipswich Witches management and supporters is driving Paco Castagna on, as he bids to prove his inclusion in the 2016 side was not a mistake.

After failing to score on his Foxhall debut against Scunthorpe, Castagna finished at the back in his first three rides against Peterborough on Thursday night, but put in a much-improved display to finish third in his fourth ride, with his effort earning him a superb reception from the home crowd.

That support, as well as the encouragement and patience he has been given by director of speedway Chris Louis and team manager Ritchie Hawkins, is driving the young Italian reserve on.

“It’s a tough game here in England, it’s not as easy as expected and I’m happy the team isn’t putting pressure on me,” Castagna said.

“I’m so happy that on the victory lap I had fans cheering for me only because I scored one point. It sounds stupid but it gives me the energy to train during the week off we have before Thursday (at Sheffield).

“I’m so grateful to have such good fans behind the team and people in the team helping me.

“To have Chris and Ritchie always there is great, they know how to speak because you go in some teams and find people who only put pressure on you.

“They know how to talk to you, how much pressure to put on you, and Ritchie came to me and said ‘I have faith in you, just believe in yourself and try to do it’.

“I went out and did even though I made a little mistake, but it’s just the second meeting here.

“It takes time but I’m sure I will try my best to prove to Chris and the club that I’m not a mistake.”

Next up for the Witches is a visit to Sheffield on Thursday, with Castagna looking to pick up where he left off in his final outing against Peterborough.

He said: “We have to start the next meeting from where we left. I didn’t show anything in my first three heats, it was pretty rubbish, I know that and I’m sorry for that.

“I’m happy on one side I showed what I’m capable of (in heat 14) and I think if we start from there for the next meeting then I can help the team.

“I have to stay positive, it’s not easy to do that when you score just one point, but we had a good last heat so we’ll try and remember just the last one.”