IN-FORM Troy Batchelor believes having more teams racing in the top flight of British speedway can benefit the product and encourage more fans to flood through the turnstiles.

Tomorrow night marks Ipswich Witches’ first visit to the Abbey Stadium in nine years – following a eight-season stint in the SGB Championship – as they tackle Alun Rossiter’s side in the SGB Premiership Supporters’ Cup (7.30pm).

Club bosses opted to return to the UK’s top tier during the winter, and stepped up alongside Peterborough Panthers – who are racing in the Premiership for the first time since 2013.

While both teams’ return to the top flight was welcomed by fans, Somerset Rebels and Leicester Lions dropped down into the second tier Championship.

That coupled with Rye House Rockets’ demise means only seven teams will contest the SGB Premiership this season.

Batchelor said: “It’s good to have Ipswich back in the top flight, the more teams the better – we should have 15.

“Winning at home wins titles, that’s what we’re aiming for.

“The new track has turned out good. It’s nice to have a good track that we can race on and pass.

“We’re all looking forward to Monday.

“When the home track is perfect, we will be laughing. Hopefully we can build some good form there and snatch points away on the road too.”

Robins were boosted on Good Friday morning when roaring to a 53-37 victory at Wimborne Road.

Dusty conditions did not suit the Pirates, and Batchelor believes the Robins simply wanted the victory more.

He added: “It was a very dusty, and that’s the problem with day meetings – they can be tough.

“But we turned up and wanted to win, after getting a draw on Thursday at home we were determined to do something.

“We’re happy to get the win and show the fans a little bit of what we are made of.

“Starts were pretty important on Friday, there wasn’t a lot of passing due to the conditions.”