PREVIEW: Cheetahs head to Scunthorpe for Championship opener on Friday
The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs begin their Cab Direct Championship campaign in Scunthorpe on Friday, and Team Manager Peter Schroeck is relishing the challenge ahead.
Cheetahs finished ninth in their extraordinary regeneration campaign last season following speedway’s 15-year absence in the city amid the closure of Oxford Stadium.
Schroeck has made several additions to his side ahead of the club’s second league campaign of its new era, including 2017 Australian Champion Sam Masters and 2022 Championship Pairs winner Lewis Kerr.
Although unseasonal weather has restricted Cheetahs’ time on track, Schroeck said he and his riders travel north full of confidence and keen to get going after Wednesday’s BSN Series postponement against Plymouth.
“Scunthorpe is a tough place to go,” said Schroeck. “They’re notorious for their strong performances at home, and all the riders know their way around the circuit.
“But we’re travelling full of confidence and our senior riders will play in big role in helping the younger boys on track. It’s hard on the team going into the league with only two meetings under their belt, but those are the cards we’ve been dealt and we move on.
“They’re due some spots of rain on Friday afternoon so hopefully we can use that to our advantage as the track won’t be riding as it typically would with a full day of work going into it.”
Despite Scunthorpe’s circuit being only one metre shorter than the Oxford Stadium track, Schroeck explained the Lincolnshire venue rides very differently.
The bowl-like configuration is different to what the Cheetahs have raced on this season, and Schroeck said getting dialled in early is key.
“It’s a big circle and very fast,” said Schroeck. “Starts are very important and there’s good continuity in the Scorpions’ squad so they’re well dialled in.
“We’re determined to deliver some strong away performances, but making Oxford Stadium our fortress is a priority. That’s why losing Wednesday’s meeting (against Plymouth) was a blow as it’s more track time lost.
“The weather isn’t playing ball at the moment, but we just have to patient and wait for the dryer weeks to come.”
The Monarch Cheetahs return to action at home on Wednesday, April 19, when hosting Swindon Robins Select in a challenge fixture. Tickets are on sale via the club’s ticketing page (www.oxfordspeedway.club/tickets) with the first heat due to start at 7.30pm.
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