IPSWICH Witches star Jarek Hampel is hoping, more than most, the Suffolk side can put together a competitive team in 2008.With the Witches on the verge of naming their side for next season, Hampel is waiting patiently in Poland for news of his new team-mates.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches star Jarek Hampel is hoping, more than most, the Suffolk side can put together a competitive team in 2008.

With the Witches on the verge of naming their side for next season, Hampel is waiting patiently in Poland for news of his new team-mates.

And he makes no bones about it, he wants it to be competitive.

“I want Ipswich to be a good team next year,” Hampel, who is currently training with his Polish club Leszno, said.

“I want to race in a team that wins more than it loses. I know we can't win all the time but I don't want to be in a losing team all the time either, I want to fight and beat the good teams.”

Hampel's concerns about racing in a poor Witches team probably stem back to his last season in England - 2003 - which was a complete nightmare for the Suffolk side.

He ended up missing meetings at the end of that year, one the Witches couldn't finish quickly enough.

But that's in the past now and it's a new dawn for Hampel, and he is in no doubt what his main priorities are.

“I really want to do well for Ipswich,” he added.

“I hope I can and I'm sure I can. But I would also like to get back into the Grand Prix series in 2009, this is another priority.”

The Witches team for 2008 is sure to be at an advanced stage right now, with the likes of Simon Stead, David Howe and riders from last season Kim Jansson and Marcin Rempala being tipped to be in the battle for the final three places.

There is plenty of transfer activity among the other either eight Elite League clubs with the new lower points limit meaning there certainly won't be a shortage of riders.

For Hampel however the season is already up and running at his Polish training camp.

“We do a lot running, swimming and riding of bicycles, but not speedway bikes,” Hampel added.

“It's good fun and helps you prepare for what is going to be a busy season ahead for me.”