Chargers skipper Jenkins describes the “surreal” moment when hitting the Oxford shale
Oxford Chargers captain Jordan Jenkins could not quite believe the transformation at Oxford Stadium when entering the multi-purpose venue for the first time on Wednesday.
The Norfolk-based racer had only just celebrated his sixth birthday when speedway in the city supposedly ended for good in 2007 following 59 consecutive seasons of racing.
Fast-forward 15 years, and Jenkins led the Chargers – Oxford’s newest professional sports team – onto the iconic Sandy Lane track for the first time at a joint press and practice session with the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs.
It concluded a major restoration project to the venue’s speedway facilities, which only months ago resembled a jungle following over a decade of neglect. The track has now been reshaped to meet FIM standards and a new pits bay has been installed on the back straight to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.
Jenkins described the return of Oxford Speedway as “extraordinary”, adding that he feels privileged to be part of the club’s regeneration.
He said: “I’ve raced and practised on a lot of tracks in my career, but Oxford is truthfully one of the best first experiences of a venue I’ve had. I’ve seen pictures of what the stadium looked like several months ago, and the transformation is extraordinary.
“By watching videos of the track team pulling grass from the top of the surface and revealing the shale underneath you wouldn’t think it was possible. To see Oxford Stadium in the flesh for the first time was incredible.
“The track is well prepared and has a great shape to it. I’m really pleased to be here.”
Jenkins completed a series of solo practice laps before partnering up with Chargers teammate Sam Hagon to work on practice stars and explore the track’s multiple racing lines.
It presented the 20-year-old with new challenges as he experimented with different gearings to find the optimal setup which will unlock the true potential of his 500cc, brakeless, bikes.
“Just from having a handful of laps with Sam also on track, we found riding the outside line in areas of the track was beneficial when the grip was down,” said Jenkins. “We explored a lot of different lines, it was a great learning curve for the team and we’re excited to come back and continue our collective development.
“Learning the track’s optimal setup is most of what we gained from press and practice. It’s helpful to watch the Cheetahs riders too and learn some pockets of information from each other.
“We’re a new team and I’m not expecting everything to click into place immediately, so the more we’re together before the season starts the better.”
Oxford Chargers’ National League campaign begins on Saturday, April 9, away to Berwick Bullets. The club makes its home debut on Wednesday, May 4, when Berwick visit. Tickets will be on sale soon.