SMALL tracks like Arena-Essex should present no problem for Ipswich Evening Star Witches new signing Tobias Kroner.The 20-year-old German has a 220 metre track a stone's throw from his house - and he has use of it whenever he wants.

By Elvin King

SMALL tracks like Arena-Essex should present no problem for Ipswich Evening Star Witches new signing Tobias Kroner.

The 20-year-old German has a 220 metre track a stone's throw from his house - and he has use of it whenever he wants.

“It is run by my father Josef,” said Kroner, who is set to make his Witches debut in the Elite League at Arena-Essex tomorrow.

The track is at Dohren where Kroner learned to ride speedway. He has progressed to the top German League with MSC Diedenbergen, and says that he is ready now for a new challenge.

Kroner, who has taken the place of Jan Jaros in the Witches side, added: “I have been waiting all my career for this moment.”

He rode for Oxford last season in his first taste of Elite League action, and has already ridden at every Elite League circuit apart from Ipswich and Arena-Essex.

“When I rode for Oxford I was in the team proper and it was very hard,” added Kroner.

“Now I will be at reserve and I have been able to get my equipment sorted out.

“I am also used to the big tracks in Germany so I am confident I can do well for Ipswich.”

Kroner attended Ipswich's Press Day in March but was unable to get in any action because of rain.

Riding for Germany in the world team junior Cup qualifier, Kroner scored double figures earlier this month. He will be an Ipswich asset and be based in the area.

Witches rider/manager Chris Louis said: “All the ingredients are there for Tobias to become one of our young breed of assets who will hopefully serve the club for many years.

“We had to make the move now so that Tobias will be firing on all cylinders at the nitty-gritty stage of the season in August and early September.”

Louis confirmed that Ipswich will be helping King's Lynn asset Jaros find an English Premier League club when he recovers from a wrist injury he sustained on Good Friday.

“Jan has never really got over that,” said Louis. “We felt to strengthen our play-off push we needed a change now.

“Jan knew that life in the Elite League would be tough and it is to his credit that he never let himself or the Witches down. “

Ipswich will use the rider replacement facility for Kim Jansson at Arena-Essex tomorrow as he is riding in a Swedish Championship heat.

Jansson took advantage of Ipswich's lack of a Thursday fixture last week to score a paid 12 points for Kaparna in their 52-44 defeat against Lejonen in the Swedish League.