Ipswich Witches teenage reserve Connor Mountain is determined to ride through a difficult spell he is currently enduring.
The 19-year-old, who also rides for Mildenhall Fen Tigers in the National League, has been finding life in the Championship, mainly at his home track, Foxhall, tricky of late.
It is something he acknowledges, but something he is determined to overcome.
“I know what the problem is, it’s a mental thing and I have to get through this,” Mountain, who is part of the Witches team that races at Scunthorpe on Sunday, 5.30pm, said.
“I thought is it a bit to do with my injury from last season? But then I thought, no, I don’t think it is.
“It’s just a confidence thing and I am determined to come through it.
“As Rory Schlein said to me recently, it’s just four good laps I need, a confidence-boosting win. I’ve won races at Ipswich before, I’ve ridden the track well before, I know I can do it.”
Mountain has invariably ridden better away from Foxhall than at home so far this season and the talented teen is getting all the support from his Ipswich team-mates.
“Everyone is being very supportive,” Mountain added.
“They all say they know what I’m going through.”
Mountain and the Witches are looking for back-to-back away victories at Scunthorpe after their win at Berwick last month.
Unbeaten at home, the Suffolk side could put themselves in a great position in the Championship table should they win at Scunthorpe.
The visitors are at full strength, while Scunthorpe are hoping for a change in fortunes after a plethora of injuries in recent weeks.
Former Witch Stefan Nielsen broke his collarbone at Foxhall Heath two weeks ago.
Scorpions owner Rob Godfrey said: “We’ve had plenty of luck this season”, comments Godfrey, “but unfortunately it’s all been bad!
“We lost Fritz Wallner early in the season, and then the moment we replace him with Stefan and get back to full strength, both Carl Wilkinson and Ryan Douglas pick up knocks, and Stefan does his collarbone.
“I couldn’t believe it when we had riders going down like flies at Ipswich the other week, with Stefan getting injured in his just his second meeting for us.
“I really don’t know what we’ve done to deserve such bad luck, I really don’t. But all we can do is rise above it, dust ourselves down and go again.”
The Witches will be hoping to get back on track after two rain-offs in 48 hours against Sheffield Tigers, on Wednesday and yesterday.
Meanwhile, Mildenhall’s clash at Lakeside scheduled for tonight was called off earlier today because of a waterlogged track. On Sunday the Fen Tigers entertain a Young Lions U21 team at West Row, start time 4pm.
Teams
Scunthorpe: M Palm-Toft, C Wilkinson, L Kerr, R Douglas, J Auty, T Aarnio, J Bailey
Ipswich: D King, C Heeps, J Sedgmen, K Newman, R Schlein, C Mountain, N Greaves.
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