IPSWICH Evening Star Witches have begun their team-building for 2008 by re-signing Robert Miskowiak.The popular 23-year-old Pole, who was one of the brighter lights in the Witches disappointing 2007 campaign, put pen to paper just 24 hours before Saturday night's Witches end-of-season awards night, held at Copdock.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches have begun their team-building for 2008 by re-signing Robert Miskowiak.

The popular 23-year-old Pole, who was one of the brighter lights in the Witches disappointing 2007 campaign, put pen to paper just 24 hours before Saturday night's Witches end-of-season awards night, held at Copdock.

"I have said I would only race in England for Ipswich and that is how I feel," Miskowiak said.

"I signed my contract for 2008 on Friday, but as yet I have no idea if any club in Poland wants me. But I don't worry about that now, I love Ipswich and hope I can keep on improving."

The move is a good one by Ipswich, who have said they intend to move quicker this winter than they did last, in securing riders, and certainly Miskowiak's signing was greeted with great applause at the dinner.

While Witches promoter John Louis was happily announcing Miskowiak's retainment, it was German Tobi Kroner who scooped almost all the awards on show on Saturday.

Voted the Witches Rider of the Season and Most Improved Rider, Kroner was a popular and deserving winner, having boosted his average by nearly two points in 2007.

Witches skipper Chris Louis won Mr Entertainer, an award dedicated to Louis' continued uncanny ability to line-up and pass other riders at will at Foxhall, while the Lifetime Achievement award was popularly awarded to Jeremy Doncaster, the former world No.3 and top Witches star of the 80s, who is currently helping some of the youngsters at the club.

Doncaster reminisced his early days as a rider to the assembled crowd and his Lifetime Achievement award is the fourth one to be handed out - John Louis, John Berry and Bert Edwards being the other three recipients.

Former world champion Sam Ermolenko was a guest speaker and along with usual chat and humour, it was another successful evening, proving, if proof was needed, the Witches have a big nucleus of support, all of whom will be hoping for better in 2008.