PREVIEW: Cheetahs look to round off regeneration campaign in style at home to Edinburgh
Oxford Cheetahs conclude their regeneration campaign at Sandy Lane on Wednesday night against Edinburgh Monarchs, and Peter Schroeck has plans to end the year on a high.
The Monarch Cheetahs were defunct this time 12 months ago and had not raced a competitive fixture since the club folded in 2007 – five years before the eventual closure of Oxford Stadium.
The Cowley venue remarkably reopened its doors in April. And while results on track haven’t always gone Cheetahs’ way, Schroeck hopes his squad will receive a positive send off after an unforgettable season on and off the track.
Although a Championship play-off spot is out of the Monarch Cheetahs’ reach, Schroeck insists his riders are determined to round-off their campaign with a win adding that pride is on the line.
“It’s been an extraordinary season for all the right reasons for the Cheetahs,” said Schroeck. “Don’t be mistaken, we are disappointed to be ending our Championship campaign outside the play-off frame.
“Speedway has fallen on tough times lately with the closure of several high-profile clubs including Coventry, Lakeside, Eastbourne and Newcastle this season. That’s without mentioning our neighbours Swindon who continue to work hard behind the scenes.
“Oxford is the success story speedway needs right now. In times of such uncertainty, we’ve been fortunate enough to welcome thousands of people through the gate each week and bring the good times back to Sandy Lane.
“Now we hope to repay the favour by ending the year with a victory. Edinburgh are still chasing the play-offs themselves so there’s a lot on the line for our visitors. It goes without saying the racing will be hard but fair, and we need to be ready for that challenge.”
While Cheetahs’ campaign ends on Wednesday, Oxford Chargers still have two National Development League fixtures on home shale to fulfil against Kent Kings and Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
The Chargers currently sit within British Speedway’s third tier play-off frame and stand every chance of finishing the season inside the four qualification spots.
Following Dan Bewley’s extraordinary British Grand Prix triumph at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday – five years after he raced for Belle Vue Colts in the National League – Schroeck underlined the importance of backing Britain’s young riders.
“The Chargers have been a real bonus for our fanbase this season,” said Schroeck. “Wednesday might bring an end to Cheetahs’ campaign, but the Chargers still have so much to race for and stand every chance of picking up some silverware.
“Dan Bewley’s win in Cardiff epitomises the importance of supporting riders at Chargers’ level. They are Great Britain’s future, and we’re really pleased with how our first season has gone in the National League so far.
“If you can’t make Wednesday and still want to try speedway for yourself, get along and support the Chargers. They’re an enthusiastic bunch who are doing the city proud.”
Tickets for Oxford Cheetahs’ British Speedway Championship fixture against Edinburgh Monarchs are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.