The triple Australian world champion is set to race in the British Ipswich Whitches league by 2020. This will make the 44-year-old Crump teammate with Danish Nicolai Klindt.
By Ib Søby
It sounded like an April Fool, but it's good enough and now confirmed: Jason Crump returns to league speedway after eight years of absence. In reality, Crump's league break was longer, the last time he ran the full British league program was in 2009 and his last GP race was in Torun 2012.
In the intervening years, Jason Crump has lived with his family in Queensland and also raced sporadically in smaller Australian races. Recently, he was urgently called for a test match between Australia and England which took place in Perth, and here the idea of returning to the British league was born.
- In fact, I've been in contact with Ipswich manager Chris Louis since November, but it wasn't until Perth where I managed to get the courage to make a comeback, Jason Crum tells Ipswich Witches website.
Crump also says he will train intensely, both in Australia and in England, up to his comeback
- I've been to the gym every day. At the same time, however, we have been rather unlucky here, because after the severe fires, we are suddenly hit by rare floods. I have not had the opportunity to drive and would like to have participated in Darcy Ward's Invitation race, but unfortunately it was canceled. Speedway races are rare in Australia!
- I'm looking forward to coming to Ipswich, but it's not because I have high expectations of my own performance. It is definitely not for becoming a world champion again. I hope I can become a kind of role model and inspiration for the other riders on the team.
In addition to Jason Crump and Nicolai Klindt, the Ipswich Witches in 2020 consist of Danny King ©, Cameron Heeps, Jake Allen, Nico Covatti, Drew Kemp. The first race is on Thursday, March 26, against Peterborough.