SPEEDWAY: Ipswich Witches completed another piece of the jigsaw for their 2003 speedway side by agreeing a deal with Paul Hurry.The 27-year-old is an Oxford asset who won the Sky Sports Elite League championship last season riding for Wolverhampton.

By Elvin King

SPEEDWAY

IPSWICH Witches completed another piece of the jigsaw for their 2003 speedway side by agreeing a deal with Paul Hurry.

The 27-year-old is an Oxford asset who won the Sky Sports Elite League championship last season riding for Wolverhampton.

He is expected to feature in both the Witches Elite League and British League Cup sides and could be the third heat leader in the Elite League side with Scott Nicholls and Jarek Hampel.

Hurry began his career as a schoolboy grass-track rider with Mark Loram, and former Ipswich co-promoter Dave Pavitt invited him to be mascot at Hackney in 1987.

He ended last season with an average just under seven points, and with Ipswich going for a strong bottom end in 2003 he fits in well.

Last season Hurry finished runner-up in the 16-Lap Classic at Foxhall after finishing first in the marathon race.

Tom P Madsen and Danny Bird are set to fill the two reserve positions in the league side, while Chris Slabon and Toni Svab are being considered – along with Chris Louis – for the two remaining berths in the team proper.

Madsen, who lives in King's Lynn, agreed terms with Ipswich earlier this week and will be on loan from Berwick for a season.

Hurry is an England international who has plenty of experience of every Elite League track.

With a reduced average required in the British League Cup, Ipswich have agreed terms with Kim Jansson and James Brundle to ride for them in that competition.

Further signings are expected in the New Year as Ipswich hope to build a side good enough to compete for honours in 2003.

Because of unforeseen circumstances there will not now be 2003 season ticket sales at Foxhall Stadium this Saturday. Witches fans should watch the press for new details.

Weblink www.paulhurry.com