In his latest column, Ipswich Witches ace Danny King give us the latest on his injury, why being a team manager isn’t for him and how good is Drew Kemp?
Well, mathematically the Witches can still reach the play-offs. But let’s be honest, it’s very unlikely to happen.
Our defeat at Glasgow has put paid to that.
OK, we could still make it, but I don’t see Edinburgh, Glasgow or Workington letting us back into it.
It’s a huge disappointment that another season at Foxhall has seen us again decimated by injuries.
Of course, yours truly is one of those injuries and I don’t really have much of an update on what is happening with my arm.
I’m having more tests this month and it may well be that I have to have an operation.
My nerve reading last time was basically zero and if that hasn’t improved dramatically, then an operation will be the only option.
It’s basically a case of cutting the nerve and re-wiring it into the arm.
It’s not an easy operation but if that is what it takes, then the sooner I get it done the quicker I can start getting fit for next season.
Because next season is my focus now.
I’ve had one or two people ask me if I will ride again!
Well, of course I will.
I have no intention of retiring. I’m only 32 and won the British title just two years ago.
I could have done without this injury of course, but I rode with it for a couple of weeks. And so if I get it right, I’ll be fine back on a bike.
There is the small matter of bringing some silverware to Foxhall before I retire as well!
We should have had that KO Cup last season.
I’m determined to win something with the Witches before I hang my kevlars up.
I’ve been bored at home.
I’ve come to Foxhall on a number of occasions and been with the boys in the pits.
Last week I sat with Mike Bacon in the press box to see what he gets up to. It was all very interesting, although I was actually surprised how little he does, apart from eat chilli dogs and drink coke! Ha! Ha!
I must be honest though I couldn’t be a team manager.
How team managers cope I just don’t know.
Watching the racing and seeing little mistakes we all make out on the track does my head in. I want to get really cross and have a word with the riders when they come back into the pits.
But of course they’re mistakes we all make and have made.
Ritchie Hawkins does a great job as team manager. He has a good manner about him and the riders all respect him.
He has a rant when necessary, but doesn’t make a big deal about it.
Being a former rider of course helps.
Talking of Ritchie. What do you think of his moustache?
In the past month, he has had his hair cut short at the sides and now has grown this strange moustache!
It’s very retro, some people like it, others are far from sure.
I reckon, although he’s in his 30s, he’s having a mid-life crisis!
The thing with Ritchie is the more you say you don’t like it, or that it looks odd, the longer he will keep it.
He certainly won’t shave it off while it is such a great talking point.
Ritchie and me go back years.
The moustache things is classic Ritchie and why he’s such a great bloke to be around.
I was sorry to hear of Scott Nicholls getting injured riding for us at Glasgow.
Scotty has been great for us helping out and scoring huge points for the Witches.
He’s a top rider, we all know that.
I hope he races again this season, if nothing more than to help Peterborough in the play-offs. It’s a big blow for them to lose their No.1 while guesting for another side.
Drew Kemp is certainly pulling up trees.
Am I surprised?
Well, not really.
I honestly feel he can go all the way.
The way he rides his bike is superb. He is so in control.
I know at Ipswich he has been a bit nervous before meetings and his scores haven’t been as big as they have on away tracks.
But that’s understandable, riding in front of so many local fans.
The best thing about Drew is that he’s a great listener.
He listens to all advice and takes it on board. His attitude is first class.
I know he will have many offers to go all over the place, but if I was him I would stay at Ipswich for a few seasons at least and get himself bedded into regular racing with the Witches.
Ipswich really are a fantastic club to race for, one of the very best in the land.
Drew has a chance to become a local hero, just 20 minutes drive from his home track and with one of the best-run clubs.
I hope I’ll be riding with him for many seasons ahead at Foxhall.
So, Thursday night, the Witches welcome Berwick to Foxhall.
Not that many meetings to go should we not make the play-offs.
The boys will still love your support.
Speak soon
DANNY
DANNY KING WAS SPEAKING TO MIKE BACON
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