PIOTR Swiderski raced away with the Ipswich Evening Star Witches rider of season award at the supporters' club's end-of-season dinner dance on Saturday.

Elvin King

PIOTR Swiderski raced away with the Ipswich Evening Star Witches rider of season award at the supporters' club's end-of-season dinner dance on Saturday.

The Pole received 97 per cent of all votes cast and expressed a desire to return to Foxhall Stadium for the 2009 speedway season.

Chris Louis celebrated his 20th successive year connected to the Witches by receiving the lifetime achievement award, while Chris Schramm won the most-improved rider trophy and Steve Johnston the bonus point accolade.

Also present was Tobi Kroner, who briefly held the 'Bonus point' shield as 2007 winner after missing out on last year's presentation night. He presented it on to Johnston.

Poles Jarek Hampel and Robert Miskowiak and Australian Rory Schlein were the missing members of the side that ended the 2008 campaign.

Schramm had hair moved from his head, beard and chest during the evening and Louis had his legs waxed to help raise £2,600 for the Kim Jansson benefit fund.

In a successful evening splendidly organised by supporters' club chairman Peter Thorpe and his team, Foxhall presenter Kevin Long was presented with a framed photograph to mark his decision to stand down for work reasons.

And Louis received a framed photograph from Swiderski to mark the Polish rider's thanks for enjoying such a successful year where he was the without doubt the revelation of a season where the Witches improved considerably to finish fourth in the Elite League.

“Now we want to go higher next year,” said team manager Pete Simmons in his address.