PREVIEW: TIGER’S ACADEMY OPEN, IPSWICH

PREMIERSHIP champions Ipswich turn the spotlight on the future with the Tiger’s Academy Open at Foxhall tonight (Thursday).

Staged as a tribute to former rider and promoter John ‘Tiger’ Louis, 16 youngsters will be taking part in a full Individual meeting which will also see them receive support and advice from senior riders, along with a presentation from the Great Britain Speedway Team.

Riders have also been allocated one of two groups, enabling the meeting to conclude with a race between the two top-scoring ‘pairs.’

Witches supporters will have the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Premiership trophy, with home stars Jason Doyle, Danny King and Tom Brennan in attendance along with Ritchie Hawkins, Chris Louis and Mark Loram.

Hawkins said: “We have some great youngsters here in the meeting and it will be an awesome experience for them.

“It will be a new track for a lot of them to ride and there will be some exciting races, and after last week hopefully a big crowd can create a great atmosphere for the last speedway at Ipswich this year.

“There will be senior riders in the pits helping the boys throughout the meeting, looking after their pairs with a Final at the end of the night. The idea is for them to gain knowledge and experience, it is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn and I am sure it will be an entertaining night.”

GROUP A: Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott, Ace Pijper, Ben Trigger, Jake Mulford, Ashton Vale, Vinnie Foord, Jamie Etherington. GROUP B: Senna Summers, Stene Pijper, Ryan Ingram, Jack Shimelt, Eli Meadows, Harrison Rogers, Jordy Loftus, Seth Norman.

SCB Referee: Wayne Jarvis