CHRIS Louis today forecast that the 2007 Ipswich Evening Star Witches side will be completed by Christmas.And he expects the remaining six riders - to accompany the already confirmed Mark Loram - will be announced in one go.

By Elvin King

CHRIS Louis today forecast that the 2007 Ipswich Evening Star Witches side will be completed by Christmas.

And he expects the remaining six riders - to accompany the already confirmed Mark Loram - will be announced in one go.

The Witches skipper and rider/manager said that agreements have been made with riders, but because of the 'numbers game' no more names will be made public until the overall make-up of the side is confirmed.

“I am delighted with the way discussions are going, and the side that we have in our heads looks as though it will come to fruition,” said Louis, who will probably be riding for the last time in 2007 before taking over as the Ipswich promoter.

“It is a numbers game, and we have to keep our options open in case there is a late change.

“Until everybody has signed their contract it is best to keep quiet, but we are getting close to an announcement.”

Louis, 37, still refuses to rule out Pole Piotr Protasiewicz, despite the 2006 Grand Prix rider's Ipswich form dipping badly towards the end of the last two seasons.

“Both Pepe and ourselves have not ruled it out,” said Louis. “But it is unlikely to happen.

“He has likely commitments in 2007 that would rule him out of a return to Foxhall, but he due over soon and we will hold discussions with him.”

Although there would be protests from some Witches supporters if Protasiewicz was to re-sign, it makes sense for Ipswich to keep their options open in case of any last-minute change of plan.

There are few potentially eight-point riders around to dismiss Protasiewicz out of hand. The market is small with the same riders doing the merry-go-round and filling the top berths in the British, Polish and Swedish Leagues.

Louis has promised a side that will not tail-off after the huge disappointments of 2005 and 2006, but he said it was unfair to rule out too many members of the 2006 side.

“Both Robert Miskowiak and Kim Jansson are in our plans, and it would not be right to say it will be one or the other,” he said.

“And so is Daniel King, where it is fair to say he still has mixed views on 2007. We have had no official approaches for him.

“Tobi Kroner fits the bill at reserve and it is recognised that we are talking to him.”

n SEASON tickets for the 2006 speedway campaign at Foxhall Stadium are now available.

Until January 31 2007 tickets cost £295 for adults and £235 for concessions. From February 1 this goes up to £320 and £260, with match-night programmes included in the price.

Tickets can be bought in person at Foxhall Stadium between 10.0am and 1.0pm this Saturday), or by post by sending a cheque made payable to Ipswich Speedway Promotions, a stamped addressed envelope and a passport-style photograph to Ipswich Speedway, c/o 7 Penshurst Road, Ipswich IP3 8QZ.