Jordan Jenkins hopeful of making it a night to remember for Oxford Chargers

Oxford Chargers captain Jordan Jenkins hopes a busy schedule building up to tonight’s National League fixture against Berwick Bullets can help him guide the club to a home win.

The city’s newest professional sports club take to the Sandy Lane shale for the first time this evening (7.30pm), 25 days after the club launched Oxford Speedway’s new era when both teams met at Shielfield Park.

Jenkins has been busy in the UK and on the continent since the Chargers last raced, representing Redcar Bears in the Championship and Czestochowa U24s in the Polish Development League.

The Norwich-born racer will fly in from Poland this morning especially for tonight’s meeting after representing Czestochowa against Lublin yesterday, and he hopes regular race time can help to improve his individual track craft.

“It’s been a better start to the season than I expected,” said Jenkins. “Last Wednesday at Oxford (with Redcar Bears) was frustrating at times but I learnt a lot.  

“Overall, I’m pleased with my progress and know how quick I can be. Like every rider, I want to keep improving every week and my racing abroad with Czestochowa really helps develop my experience.

“Now is the time to kick on with my career. COVID and my back injury has stalled my progress in recent years, but I’m feeling positive this season and when I go wheel-to-wheel with the top guys I know I’m capable of beating them.”

Jenkins scored three points from five rides for Redcar Bears when they raced against the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs last week in the British Speedway Championship.

The 20-year-old feels he learnt some valuable lessons as the night went on, though, and is hopeful of building on his 11-point haul for the Chargers at Berwick almost a month ago.

“I felt quick on press day at Oxford, but it’s a completely different scenario when you have three other riders going for the same piece of track,” said Jenkins. “My starts (last Wednesday) weren’t the best in my first races, but I made a small adjustment to my setup and it seemed to work well.

“I felt confident, but track conditions caught me out a couple of times. Oxford is a cool track – I’m excited to be on the other side of the pits and fingers crossed we can pick up a win.”

Tickets for Oxford Chargers’ first ever home fixture are on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. Tapes up are at 7.30pm.