IPSWICH Witches Grand Prix star Piotr Protasiewicz last night spoke of the improvement in team spirit since Mark Loram's arrival in the Foxhall pits this season.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches Grand Prix star Piotr Protasiewicz last night spoke of the improvement in team spirit since Mark Loram's arrival in the Foxhall pits this season.

Loram replaced Hans Andersen in the Witches side in the winter and although Protasiewicz never had any problem with Andersen, he is even more comfortable with Loram's approach. And he thinks it could reap the Witches dividends this season.

“Mark is a real team man and a very good person to have in your team,” Protasiewicz said.

“We talk a lot, he is always helpful and, like on Monday at Reading, we had the same points going into the last race, but he asked me what gate I would like and when I said gate one, he had no problem with it and I end up apologising to him for making such a bad start after he let me have choice of gates.

“He is just perfect for the team and I really enjoy racing with him.”

Unfortunately despite Protasiewicz and Loram's terrific efforts at Smallmead on Monday night, the Witches go into tonight's clash with the Reading Bulldogs, at Foxhall Stadium (7.30pm), 10 points behind, with the bonus point delicately balanced.

It should be an intriguing meeting and Foxhall fans will be buoyed by the news that skipper Chris Louis will be back in the Witches line-up.

Louis has been suffering from flu, but he feeling better now, and one man who will be pleased he is back in the side is Protasiewicz.

“Chris Louis is the captain of the side and a big influence on all of us,” Protasiewicz added.

“When he is not with us it is like the heart being ripped out of the side, so it is good he is back.

“I think we can make up the 10 points against Reading but we will all need to score like we did against Swindon last week at Foxhall. It is no good three of us getting the points.”

Witches fans will be keen to see how the Bulldogs reserve sensation Janusz Kolodziej copes with the tighter Ipswich circuit.

The 2005 Polish Champion was kept busy on Monday taking a maximum seven rides and amassing 15+3 points, providing the difference between the teams.

American GP star Greg Hancock always performs well at Foxhall and he captains the Bulldogs, while Grand Prix debutant Matej Zagar is also racking up some impressive scores.

Reading have already won at Coventry and Peterborough this season, so Ipswich must be very wary. If they can win and get the bonus point, it would be a fine achievement.

Teams

Ipswich Witches: 1 Chris Louis (7.49), 2 Kim Jansson (5.40), 3 Piotr Protasiewicz (7.30), 4 Robert Miskowiak (5.92), 5 Mark Loram (7.56), 6 Jan Jaros (3.00), 7 Danny King (3.11)

Team Manager: MIke Smillie

Reading Bulldogs: 1 Greg Hancock (8.79), 2 Andy Smith (5.02), 3 Travis McGowan (5.68), 4 Matej Zagar (5.09), 5 Charlie Gjedde (8.08), 6 Sam Simota (3.00), 7 Janusz Kolodziej (4.00)

Team Manager: Jim Lynch