Former Premiership winner Newman joins Cheetahs’ Championship squad
Three-times British Speedway Premiership champion Kyle Newman has become the fourth rider to sign for Oxford ahead of the club’s highly anticipated return to the sport next spring.
Newman joins club captain Scott Nicholls, Troy Batchelor and Cameron Heeps in Oxford’s British Speedway Championship squad after his 2020 campaign was cut short following Eastbourne’s closure.
The Dorset-based racer, who today celebrates his 30th birthday, is one of few riders who has won all three domestic league trophies during his career.
Newman first won the National League in 2008 with Weymouth Wildcats before adding a Premiership crown with Poole Pirates in 2011. A Championship gold medal with Somerset Rebels followed in 2013.
“I’m really pleased to be part of Oxford Speedway’s return to the sport and thrilled to have agreed a deal with Jamie (Courtney, Promoter) so quickly,” said Newman. “When I read the Cheetahs were returning, I immediately let Jamie know of my availability.
“This is a fresh start for me, and a challenge I am really looking forward to. Oxford’s closure coincided with the beginning of my career, so I have only raced at the stadium once with Weymouth Wildcats.
“I attended a few times as a kid, though, and remember the buzz on a race night. The stadium and its facilities are fantastic and will provide a great boost for British speedway in general.”
Newman raced motocross as a child but quickly made the switch to speedway after his father Keith, who also raced, purchased a bike locally.
Cheetahs’ latest signing was impressed by the club’s vision to create an inclusive speedway academy where young riders of all abilities will have the opportunity to reach their full potential on-track.
Newman added: “There are so many transferable skills from motocross to speedway and I believe Jamie’s plans will help inspire a new generation of young riders in Britain.
“Oxford is in a great area which is easily accessible to hundreds of thousands of young motorsport enthusiasts who right now don’t have the opportunity to try our sport and see where it can take them.
“In my early years of progression, I had to travel long distances to practice and develop my skills. Oxford’s reopening hopefully makes it easier for more youngsters to take up speedway and pursue it as a career.”
Oxford Speedway Promoter Jamie Courtney added: “Kyle is an ultimate professional and has vast experience at all levels of British speedway. He was quickly on the phone to me when news of our reopening was confirmed, and I am pleased we’ve reached an agreement.
“He will be a solid rider for the Cheetahs’ Championship campaign next year and is a friendly figure who is keen to support young riders starting out their careers.
“Kyle fits into what we are trying to achieve perfectly. We hope this is the start of a long and successful career at Oxford for him and are delighted to have him onboard.”