ROBERT Miskowiak is convinced he would have won the Silver Jubilee 16-Lap Classic if his machine had not suffered ignition problems.The Pole said: “If I had kept going I would have passed Adam Shields around lap 12 or 13 after tailing him for seven circuits.

By Elvin King

ROBERT Miskowiak is convinced he would have won the Silver Jubilee 16-Lap Classic if his machine had not suffered ignition problems.

The Pole said: “If I had kept going I would have passed Adam Shields around lap 12 or 13 after tailing him for seven circuits.

“I just lost power and could not get a reaction from the machine, but I hope I have done enough to keep my Witches' place in 2007.”

The absence of Witches' favourite Mark Loram was a big blow to Ipswich fans. The 35-year-old said: “It is an old injury that I first suffered when I crashed heavily at Sheffield on a wet track many years ago.

“It flares up from time to time and I could not move my neck.

“I am gutted as I wanted to take part, but there was no way I could ride four laps, let alone 16.”

Speaking about being overlooked for a Grand Prix place next year, the 2000 world champion said: “I put myself forward, but have to accept the decision.

“Chris Harris got the vote ahead of me because he is younger and because he did well in the qualifier - a competition I was barred from entering.”

Overall winner Adam Shields said: “It worked out well and I knew what I needed to achieve to take top spot.

“This helped as otherwise I would have tried to move further up the field and may have got myself in trouble.

Robert Miskowiak went under me at one stage and I chopped him off.

“I was taking it a bit easy while he knew he had to pass if he was to win the meeting.

“This is what speedway is all about, whether it is over four or 16 laps. It was nice to come to Foxhall on a superb track and end on the winners' rostrum.”

Kim Jansson, winner of the 16-lap race said: “I made a mistake in my last qualifying race and this proved crucial.

“I found the stamina to stay in front for the 16 laps. It is up to John and Chris Louis whether I stay at Ipswich. We will have to see what happens.”

Third-placed Leigh Lanham, the Ipswich-based Arena-Essex rider, said: “This is not something you can prepare for and you just have to take it as it comes.”