Darryl Ritchings believes the help and advice which flows throughout the Ipswich Witches pits will help him make the grade at Premier League level.

Despite only scoring 11 points in five meetings, Ritchings has been on the pace throughout and has impressed the Witches’ riders, management and fans during his first few weeks as a full-time second tier rider.

The Swindon asset scored three at Sheffield on Thursday night but hit double figures for his National League side, Birmingham, the previous evening, in front of the watching Chris Louis, with the reserve pleased to receive plenty of support at both meetings.

“At the start of the Sheffield meeting I couldn’t really make a start but a lot of the boys were helping me and helped me get out the start,” he said.

“Lewis Kerr came over and suggested I tried something different, which I did, and with his help I made two great starts.

“Danny was giving me some advice to try and make the track as big as I can and to get my wheels in line, which was helpful and it’s great to have people around who can help me with things like that.

“Chris (Louis) came over to Birmingham on Wednesday to watch me race and we did a few laps after the meeting too, which was great.

“Everyone at Ipswich has been really helpful and it’s making me a better rider.”

The Witches take on Sheffield at Foxhall this evening and Ritchings believes the Witches’ performance from the gate will be the key to tonight’s meeting.

“It’s going to be a different meeting of course because we’re at home and Foxhall is a tough track with a good home advantage, but it will still be tough,” he said.

“It’s about getting the gating gloves on and as soon as we do that we will be fine.

“Any time on the track is great at the moment, I’ve been getting plenty of time as I’ve been doing the National League with Birmingham which is great.”