IT’S a case of learn and learn quickly for the Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces as they resume their Premiership away campaign against the Ipswich Witches on Thursday, April 13.
The reigning champions suffered a thumping 46-20 defeat against Wolverhampton in the Knockout Cup on Bank Holiday Monday and team boss Mark Lemon is demanding rapid improvement.
The Witches, meanwhile, have enjoyed a successful start to their season with wins at Peterborough and, more recently, at home to top flight newcomers Leicester.
The Foxhall outfit stunned Speedway goers earlier this year when they announced the signing of Russian rocket Emil Sayfutdinov whom they tempted back into league racing in the UK.
Both sides go into battle without one of their regular 1-7, with rider replacement in place for Erik Riss for Ipswich, and Anders Rowe stepping in for the concussed Jake Mulford for Belle Vue.
ATPI Aces No.2 Norick Blodorn says his side can expect another real challenge against powerhouse Ipswich, but they are relishing the opportunity to lock horns with world class riders.
He said: “I’m really excited about this meeting and having a chance to race against Emil is huge, and it’s fantastic to see him back in British Speedway again.
“In the past, we’ve always done well around Ipswich. We’ve kept things close and myself, in the play offs, I think I scored paid nine so it’s a track that we all like and can produce results at.
“Obviously the past few weeks have been tough, and lessons have been learned from each meeting and one thing we always say is that anything that came before is irrelevant on the night.
“This is a new day; a new meeting and we can’t afford to allow previous mistakes to creep into our performance. We’re the reigning champions and we need to start performing like champions.”
The ATPI Aces continue their string of away fixtures this coming Monday, when they travel to Peterborough on April 17 followed by Leicester on Thursday, April 20.
They return to league action at home on Monday, April 24 against the Peterborough Panthers at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are now available to pre-book at bellevue-speedway.com.
IPSWICH V BELLE VUE – THURSDAY, APRIL 13 @ 7:30PM [P1]
Ipswich ‘TruMix’ Witches: Jason Doyle 10.32, Erik Riss R/R 6.00, Danny King (C) 6.41, Keynan Rew 5.00, Emil Sayfutdinov 8.00, Danyon Hume 3.07, Joe Thompson (RS); TM: Ritchie Hawkins Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Dan Bewley 8.95, Norick Blodorn 5.33, Tom Brennan 5.74, Charles Wright 6.55, Brady Kurtz (C) 8.22, Jaimon Lidsey 5.16, Anders Rowe (G); TM: Mark Lemon