SPEEDWAY: Jeremy Doncaster is already planning his farewell meeting for 2004. And he says that it will be a bumper affair.The 41-year-old, who was replaced in the Ipswich Evening Star Witches speedway side by Kim Jansson in September, admits that his illustrious career is winding down.

By Elvin King

JEREMY Doncaster is already planning his farewell meeting for 2004. And he says that it will be a bumper affair.

The 41-year-old, who was replaced in the Ipswich Evening Star Witches speedway side by Kim Jansson in September, admits that his illustrious career is winding down.

"I may look at a short-term contract of no more than six weeks, but I am unlikely to ride full time in England again," said the former world number three today.

Doncaster has this week sent off his application to ride in the world long-track championship next year having given 2002 a miss because he did not have enough available dates.

"I will be riding long-track and grass-track next year, mainly on the continent," added Doncaster.

"This will keep me busy, and will be a return to three years ago when I was without a British speedway club for two years."

Doncaster returned to the Witches side in place of Savalas Clouting during May 2000, and played a valuable part in the club's fortunes until two months ago.

His scores were not as high as he would have liked this summer, but the former England star - who has ridden for just Ipswich and Reading since he took up the sport in 1982 – could still not understand why he was discarded.

"For the sake of six matches at the end of the season it was hardly worth it," continued Doncaster. "You could say I was fairly disgruntled about it. I can look back and say that I did my job for Ipswich.

"But along with Craig Boyce it became difficult to cover for injured heat leaders, long-term Chris Louis and short-term Scott Nicholls. We did this for lengthy periods over the last two years, and in the end it got both of us down.

"There was not enough left at the end of the day. I am looking ahead to having a go at the long-track title again and with grass-track and individual speedway meetings at home and abroad I will keep busy enough."

The man who won British League titles with the Witches and Reading, is already thinking about his farewell meeting in 2004.

"I would like to stage it at Foxhall Stadium and will do my best to make sure it is a bumper affair. I am winding down my career and by that time expect to have hung up my speedway kevlars for good."

Witches promoter John Louis attended the Elite League promoters' get-together today when much hard talking needs to be done to sort out a feasible strategy for next season.

Oxford have voiced their desire to drop down to the Premier League while Peterborough are not certain starters because of a problem in fitting in home dates around the Grand Prix.