Danny King is hoping lighter is better as he prepares for the new speedway season.

The Ipswich Witches No.1 and British Champion, 30, admits he is ‘the lightest I have been since I was a teenager’ after extensive winter training has left him raring to go.

King leads an Ipswich team who hold their press and practice day on Monday, ahead of the team’s season opener at Foxhall Stadium, on Saturday, March 25.

“I went on holiday just after the season finished and didn’t get up to too much before Christmas and then the hard work started in January,” he said.

“My own personal fitness plan has gone really well this winter, I’m probably the lightest I have been since I was a teenager!

“It’s been different as I have completely changed my training regime and approach.

“I’ve got involved with the Team GB trainer too personally and he has worked with some of the top guys in the sport too like Doyley (Jason Doyle) and (Niels Kristian) Iversen. It’s totally different to what I have been doing and I’m feeling the benefits and hopefully that will help on track as well.

“I think you feel generally better if your body is in better shape. As I’ve said I’m lighter and they say the lighter the better so we will wait and see.”

King is only riding for Ipswich in the Championship at the moment after the demise of Premiership Coventry Bees.

However, his early season calendar is reasonably full.

“The Coventry situation has been tough,” he said.

“I’m lucky I have Ipswich and have managed to pick up a couple of guest bookings and some challenge meetings that Coventry are putting on. So, at the start of the season my calendar is fairly full which is nice. However, as soon as we get to May it will start to quieten down.”

As regards the Witches, King had this to say: “ I’m very excited about the Ipswich team this year and I think it is the best team we have assembled since we have been in the Championship and I have been with the club.

“ We had a terrible start last year. We need to hit the ground running and I really believe we will.”

Kids go free on opening night, Saturday, March 25, when the Witches race Sheffield Tigers in a Championship clash.