This Thursday 2nd October Foxhall Stadium will host the Kim Jansson Benefit Meeting featuring a match between a representative side of the Evening Star Ipswich Witches and a Kim Jansson All-Star Select.

The popular former Witch suffered a career ending spinal injury while riding in a Swedish League match in August. Devastatingly, Jansson was paralysed from the chest down and now faces the difficult task of adapting to his new life. In order to help their stricken former rider, Ipswich Speedway invites all supporters to join them at Foxhall this week for a meeting where all profits will go towards the Kim Jansson Fund. The event will feature a fifteen heat match between two six men teams along with an individual rider of the night to be contested over two semi finals and a final.

Many big names in the world of speedway have offered their services for the Kim Jansson Select Team, and none bigger than two times World Champion Jason Crump. Crump was the first big star to ask to be included in the line up, and he will no doubt light up the evening with his undoubted class. The Australian suffered leg injuries in the Italian Grand Prix at the weekend but is expected to ride and will certainly be present should his fitness allow him. Unfortunately he was due to be joined by 2007 British Grand Prix winner Chris Harris, but the entertaining Englishman suffered a leg injury in the warm up for the Italian Grand Prix and will be unable to ride. His place will be taken by another Coventry rider, Oliver Allen, who last week played a big part in the Bees 45-45 draw at Foxhall. Two former Witches will be looking forward to taking their place on their former track. Shane Parker and Danny King will certainly add entertainment to the bill, while David Howe should also add a competitive edge to the opposition. Isle of Wight rider Krzysztof Stojanowski completes the line up.

The Evening Star Ipswich Witches welcome back a famous son in aid of raising money for a former Witch. Scott Nicholls has confirmed that he will head the home side this Thursday, and should offer some great entertainment as he reignites his rivalry with Jason Crump and others around his home track. Tobi Kroner is still unable to return to the track and his place will be taken by the Lakeside Hammer and former Witch, Leigh Lanham, who will line up along side Steve Johnston, Robert Miskowiak, Chris Schramm and Rory Schlein. While all these riders will have raced against and sometimes alongside Kim in European speedway, Miskowiak and Nicholls are his most familiar former Ipswich team mates. Jansson would remember Schlein mostly in Coventry colours, while he would have faced current Witches captain Johnston in matches against Coventry, Oxford, Arena Essex and others. Both current Witches will be more than happy to add their support to raising money for the Kim Jansson Fund.

With the competitive season over after the play-off semi-final defeat at Poole last Monday evening, attention can now turn to simply enjoying some competitive speedway action involving two teams of quality riders who will all want to put on a good show for their former colleague. The likeable Swede provided supporters with great entertainment over the five years he rode in Witches colours, and few would doubt that he always gave his very best when he took to the track. While Kim Jansson will be unable to attend the benefit meeting this Thursday evening, this meeting provides speedway fans with the perfect opportunity to show their support for a true fans’ favourite, and enjoy an entertaining meeting for a good cause.

Thursday’s Meeting will be sponsored by:
 
Brian & Pete Simmons of Sano Uk,
Gordon Holloway of Parkside Transport,
Brian Clay of Plusdot Computer Services &
Clive Webb of G.C.Webb & Son Builders.