The following season in 2005, he was part of the Somerset Rebels four who won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, held on 20 August 2005, at Derwent Park.
[4] In 2006, he suffered severe bruising to the brain following a track crash at Workington, forcing him to miss the rest of that season.
Broken ribs suffered on the opening night and a loss of form contributed to his leaving the side halfway through the year.
At the end of that season, it was announced that Ritchie would be returning to the club as the new team manager.
[6] His father Kevin Hawkins was also a professional speedway rider and team manager.