IPSWICH rider/manager Chris Louis has admitted that the Witches side for the 2007 season is not as strong as the one they planned.But he insisted that he is still looking ahead to an exciting and successful year at Foxhall Stadium.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH rider/manager Chris Louis has admitted that the Witches side for the 2007 season is not as strong as the one they planned.

But he insisted that he is still looking ahead to an exciting and successful year at Foxhall Stadium.

“It is not the side we had in mind,” said Louis after the team was completed with the signing of 22-year-old Pole Zbigniew Suchecki.

“I was a little naive when making predictions last autumn. I underestimated the limited number of top riders available to British speedway.”

Ipswich are outsiders to win the Elite League title and they go into the campaign with two riders - Suchecki and Marcin Rempala - who will be new to the varied tracks they will find in this country.

“I cannot hide from the fact that initially we will be vulnerable both at home and away,” added Louis.

“The rest of the team will have to cover for a while and both Mark Loram and myself will have vital roles to play.

“We will have to work hard, and so will Robert Miskowiak and Kim Jansson.

“They have got to step up a gear, and it will be a make or break season for them both. They are both aware of this.”

While Rempala has ridden in the World Cup for Poland, Suchecki will be a new name to most Witches fans.

He helped his Polish club Zielona Gora gain promotion to the top league last season and averaged over nine points helping Lejonen finish third in the Swedish Second Division.

Because Lejonen ride on Thursday nights, Suchecki is to put that part of his career on the back burner.

Whether he has what it takes to make an impact in the Elite League remains to be seen, but Louis has no doubts.

“In Zibi, Marcin and Tobi Kroner we have three of the most ambitious riders the Witches have ever owned,” said Louis. “They would all ride speedway every day if they had the chance and are desperate to make the grade in England.

“All three are the right age and with the right ambitions. They have not been plucked out of thin air. With regard to team building we have not done a bad job. Last year proved an entertaining one at Foxhall Stadium and I am confident it will be more of the same this season.”

Ipswich asset Daniel King has been loaned to Peterborough in a one-year deal.

Ipswich will be around three points below the maximum combined 42.5 combined team average with a team comprising Louis, Mark Loram, Miskowiak, Kim Jansson, Rempala, Suchecki and Kroner.

With Suchecki likely to come in on a 4.50 assessed average, Rempala (5.00 ave) is set to start in the team proper with Suchecki and Kroner reserves.