SPEEDWAY: Ipswich Witches are working hard to persuade locally-based speedway rider Shaun Tacey to fill one of their two reserve berths in 2002. The experienced Tacey, who rode for Ipswich as a junior but is now owned by Coventry, rode in the top flight for the Bees for a number of seasons.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Witches are working hard to persuade locally-based speedway rider Shaun Tacey to fill one of their two reserve berths in 2002.

The experienced Tacey, who rode for Ipswich as a junior but is now owned by Coventry, rode in the top flight for the Bees for a number of seasons.

Last year he was with Arena-Essex in the Premier League where he was a team mate of Leigh Lanham, another locally-based rider who Ipswich are hoping to recruit to their side.

Tacey will have an Elite League average of 3.6 next year and is seen by Ipswich promoter John Louis as just the man to give his lower order a boost.

Ipswich have spoken to Coventry team manager Colin Pratt and also to Tacey and they expect to be able to announce a decision before the end of the week.

Ipswich have already signed their top four – Scott Nicholls, Chris Louis, Craig Boyce and Jeremy Doncaster – and Lanham has agreed verbally to ride at Foxhall next season if he can share his Witches duties with a continued place in the Arena Essex side.

A British Speedway Promoters' Association management committee is being held this week and will confirm the rules on 'floaters' for next year.

If Lanham meets the criteria – and it is expected that he will – then Ipswich should be able to confirm his place in the Witches side. Lanham will share his Witches duties with Arena.

Ipswich are talking to a number of Polish riders in their quest to find the seventh and final member of their side.

Robert Kosciecha, a 24-year-old who hails from Torun, is the favourite – and he would come highly recommended by world champion Tony Rickardsson, who rides with the youngster in Poland.

Rickardsson says: "Robert is a good trapper and with the right guidance he can make a name for himself in England."

Jason Bunyan, who rode for Ipswich for the last three seasons, is having talks with Reading and is expected to join another ex-Witches man – Tomas Topinka – in the Racers' Premier League side.

Foxhall Stadium season tickets will be available soon for next season and Ipswich could well have their side buttoned up before the end of the year.