WORLD-FAMOUS Coventry Bees will provide the opposition for the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs for their opening challenge match at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday, April 1 at 7.30pm.
Oxford Cheetahs returned to action to great acclaim in 2022, following a break of 15 years, after a long campaign to restore speedway to Cowley. There is a similar campaign to bring back the sport to Brandon Stadium in Coventry, which last staged speedway in 2016.
Coventry Bees are one of the most successful British clubs of all-time, including winning the top-flight in British Speedway eight times in 1968, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1988, 2005, 2007 and 2010.
Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “If Coventry were to return, they would be our nearest neighbours and there’s a history of the two clubs battling it out for silverware. The campaign to bring back speedway to Brandon Stadium is reaching a crucial period and the best way we can back them is with this challenge match against a select Coventry side, to demonstrate the considerable support that still exists for the Bees.
“We will give the Coventry fans a side that they get right behind, and we also may have a surprise or two up our sleeves.
“It will be the first chance to see the Cheetahs on track in a competitive fixture. We felt it was important to have a challenge match, before we battle against Poole and Plymouth in a mouthwatering southern section of the BSN Series.
“The season is now approaching very quickly. The whole of the Cab Direct Championship looks very exciting and I believe we’ve built a team that that can be right in the mix for silverware.”
Cheetahs are once again led by skipper Sam Masters, while Erik Riss and Anders Rowe complete a powerful heat-leader trio. Cheetahs will also track the upcoming pair of Mitch McDiarmid and Luke Killeen, plus Darryl Ritchings and Dayle Wood in the reserve berths.
Press and Practice Day is being held at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, and full details on timings are due to be released in due course. Those who bought the Ultimate Season Pass before February 1 will have access to all practice sessions that day.
A fund raiser for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund is set to take place at the Wheatley New Club, 3 Blenheim Lane, Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1NJ on Saturday (March 7) at 7.30pm. It will a Race Evening / Social Night, where participants can choose a horse / rider (similar to horse racing race evenings). There will be eight races, plus an auction race at the end of the evening. The event is being organised by Oxford supporter Neil Ramsden. A similar event last season raised over £400 for the Ben Fund.
Words by Oxford Speedway – Feature Image courtesy of Mark Lee Sing