A message from Peter Schroeck to Oxford Speedway supporters

Sport can take you on some incredible journeys – and speedway is no different.

There are highs, there are lows and challenges to overcome on an almost daily basis which the team behind Oxford Stadium’s regeneration certainly know about!

Tuesday night at Glasgow presented our first chance of confirming a place in the Championship Grand Final. Perhaps like our supporters, we had feelings of excitement, nerves and anticipation fall under a collective determination to get the job done.

The result is still raw in the mind and the team is hurting right now which is totally understandable – I’d be concerned if they were not! First and foremost, our congratulations must go to Glasgow and we wish Cameron Brown and the team every success in what promises to be an excellent final against Poole.

We had our fair share of bad luck on the night which we know over the duration of a season tends to even itself out so there’ll be no complaints or excuses from our camp.

Sam was especially gutted after he snapped a rear chain in his second ride following a confident start and Scott gave it everything in the last-heat decider before hitting the deck. Ultimately, after Heat 11 Glasgow dominated and the track really came to them.

In speedway, there’s no room for error and when you feel like the game is against you it can be the hardest sport in the world – and vice versa.

One of the main men behind Glasgow’s success this year is Chris Harris. It was a touch of class for Bomber to come over after the meeting and confirm we were unfortunate not to progress on the night which at the time – and still now – I really appreciate.

Despite the disappointment, I don’t believe one result can define how we look back at the whole picture of this season. It’s an abrupt end to an overwhelmingly positive Championship campaign where everyone connected to the club has lived and breathed speedway the entire year.

With the support of this team, we’ve welcomed bumper crowds onto the terraces week in, week out, connected hundreds of new fans to the sport via school assemblies and community visits and introduced a new lease of life into people’s Wednesday evenings.

Even better, we’re not finished yet. And the opportunity to bring silverware home remains on the table as the World Speedway Riders’ Association Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo go for Grand Final glory in the National League.

The dates are now confirmed with our home fixture happening on Wednesday, October 18, with the second leg three nights later. We would love to see as many of our outstanding supporters trackside when Cubs come to town. It won’t be easy – Leicester are a quality outfit and will push us hard in all 30 races.

But with your continued support we’re confident the boys will be in the best position possible to start filling that trophy cabinet. A final thank you to everyone who travelled to Glasgow on Tuesday and indeed those who have supported us trackside this year.

We’re not done yet – and we’ll see you at the National League Grand Final very soon!

Peter Schroeck, Oxford Speedway Team Manager.

Photo: Mark Lee Sing.