Friday, April 26, 2024
OXFORD SPEEDWAY
Oxford Speedway

PREVIEW: Schroeck relishing Sheffield challenge in ‘perfect’ racing conditions

SRFortitude

Oxford Spires resume their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign on home shale on Thursday night when defending champions Sheffield Tigers visit OX4.

The Tigers are yet to race at Oxford Stadium since the Sandy Lane venue sensationally reopened in 2022 – and Simon Stead’s squad arrives with an abundance of quality and experience.

Triple World Champion Tai Woffinden and current World #4 Jack Holder lead the visitors’ charge with 2012 World Champion Chris Holder plus last year’s Premiership winners Kyle Howarth, Josh Pickering and Jason Edwards set to ride too.

Spires Team Manager Peter Schroeck has announced an unchanged line-up following last week’s 47-43 victory over Birmingham Brummies where club captain Chris Harris topped the score chart with 13 points from five rides.

Schroeck insists Tigers’ visit will present an entirely new challenge. But with a clear forecast and mild daytime temperatures, he hopes last week’s extensive practice session can play into his side’s hands as they look to go back to back.

“Sheffield are a really strong team on paper – there’s no denying that,” said Schroeck. “But equally we have firepower and fight in our corner too – that was evident during last week’s meeting against Birmingham.

“The track held up really well and the team on the ground did an incredible job to get that fixture on. But we know the surface behaved completely differently to the previous day’s practice session which acted as a leveller in a way.

“We fought hard for every point and there was a great spirit in the camp. I want to see the same on Thursday night against a team proven at this level.

“Equally, the support on the terraces was outstanding against Birmingham and really fired the boys up when it counted. They all feel a part of this club already, and that will count for so much as the season develops.

“We’re expecting another tough challenge, but one we can definitely pass.” 

Tickets for Oxford Spires’ Premiership fixture against Sheffield on Thursday, March 21, are on sale and available to purchase by clicking here. Tapes-up is at 7.30pm and ALL U16s go free.

Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski, Charles Wright, Nicolai Klindt, Chris Harris, Rohan Tungate, Lewis Kerr, Ashton Boughen.

Sheffield Tigers: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.