Cheetahs pair to go for glory in home staging of Championship Pairs

Scott Nicholls and Aaron Summers can write their names in Oxford Speedway history tonight when representing the Monarch Cheetahs in the prestigious Championship Pairs.

A bumper crowd is expected as speedway fans flock from across the UK and wider Europe to the city of dreaming spires – many attending for the first time since the multi-purpose Cowley venue reopened its doors in April.

The Cheetahs have been drawn in Group B of the 10-team competition which puts the top two riders from each club in British Speedway’s second tier against each other in a group stage format followed by a one-off Grand Final.

Nicholls and Summers will race Poole, Plymouth, Berwick and Redcar while Group A consists of Leicester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Birmingham.

Monarch Cheetahs joint team manager Peter Schroeck sees no reason why his pairing can’t go all the way and bring home Cheetahs’ first piece of silverware since 2005 when they won the Craven Shield.

“We’ve got a solid pairing, but so has every other team,” said Schroeck. “It’s a real lottery the Championship Pairs which is what makes it such a popular event.

“There are no gimmes, and there’s certainly no margin for error. You have to be on you’re a-game because the quality of the field means any slip ups and you will get found out.

“Scott (Nicholls) has delivered some real match-winning performances for the Cheetahs this season, particularly on home shale. Aaron (Summers) has proven too he is capable of beating anyone and has been a real gem of a signing for us.

“Getting out the group stage is our first priority, and then we’ll see how the evening progresses from there.”

The Pairs event is expected to draw the biggest crowd Oxford Stadium has hosted in its new era.

Schroeck said hosting one of British Speedway’s major events is something the people of Oxford and wider Oxfordshire should be proud of.

“Speedway fans are extremely loyal to their sport, and seeing the terraces packed every Wednesday this summer has been a real highlight of my career in speedway,” said Schroeck.

“Events like the Championship Pairs not only deliver a major boost to the local economy, but inject a sense of pride into the local area too. The forecast is looking spot on and we hope people enjoy the Oxford Stadium experience as a collective including the action on track and facilities off it.”

Limited tickets remain on sale for tonight’s Championship Pairs event and can be purchased by clicking here. Tapes-up is at 7.30pm.