THANKS to the team management skills of an Ipswich speedway supporter, highly promising Evening Star Witches junior Ollie Rayson has been gifted a brand new machine.

Elvin King

THANKS to the team management skills of an Ipswich speedway supporter, highly promising Evening Star Witches junior Ollie Rayson has been gifted a brand new machine.

David Woods from Colchester topped the Speedway Star Fantasy League at the start of the month, and his prize was to allocate a British Conference League rider to receive a new bike.

“Ollie's made a lot of progress this year, as his scores at Boston indicate, so I think he deserves it,” said Woods.

“It was while he was riding in the second half of meetings at Foxhall Stadium that he came to my attention.”

Rayson, 15, is already on the books of the Witches, and rider/manager Chris Louis is delighted with the news.

“It is incredibly difficult to for youngsters to finance themselves in their early years in the sport,” said Louis.

“You may have all the talent in the world, but you have to find a way of getting the power to go with it.

“All motorcycle sports are the same, and this wonderful gesture from one of our supporters will be a huge help to Ollie.”

The Speedway Star competition is open to all readers of the weekly magazine and is sponsored this year by Draper Tools, who wanted to do something to help an up and coming British youngster.

A presentation will be made later in the season, probably at Poole during their play-off meeting on Monday September 29 as Drapers are based in Southampton.

Woods, who has been top of the table for seven weeks and won a £1.200 toolbox for his own use, will be present at the presentation.

DAVID WOODS TEAM

No 1: Jason Crump (replaced in July by Gary Havelock, Adam Shields in August and Hans Andersen in September.

No 2: Leigh Adams

No 3: Andreas Jonsson (replaced by Stephan Katt in April)

No 4: Chris Holder

No 5: Tobi Kroner (replaced by Ty Proctor in June)

No 6: Joe Haines (replaced by Jason Doyle in May)

No 7: Robert Mear