PREVIEW: Chargers aim to maintain 100% record
DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales are seeking to make it three wins out of three in the WSRA National League, when they host Middlesbrough Tigers at Oxford Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm).
Four weeks ago, Chargers started their title defence with home and away triumphs over Edinburgh, with a 45-44 nail-biting victory up in Scotland, followed by a 51-36 win at Sandy Lane, in which Waterstock’s Jason Garrad became the first Oxfordshire-born rider to score a maximum for the club since Darren Andrews in 1997.
With Alex Spooner still ruled out by the injuries that he sustained last season, Chargers again call on the unattached Wayne Hutt to fill the No 2 spot. Hutt – a 2006 and 2007 second half rider – is also the assistant track curator at Oxford.
Team manager Peter Schroeck said: “With the loss of Jordan Jenkins, Henry Atkins and Ryan Kinsley from the side this year, we lost a lot of firepower from Chargers’ line-up, and I’m delighted how the whole team has stepped up.
“Luke Kileen and Jody Scott have moved to the No 1 and No 5 spots respectively and have shown they can handle being in those positions, while it was fantastic when Jason Garrad scored a maximum last time out.
“Of the two reserves, Ashton Vale has the more experience because he’s been through the whole youth system, and I’m delighted how he has hit the ground running. Senna Summers is far rawer in terms of experience, but that’s the whole point of the National League, to give riders track time so we can help them become better riders.
“With Chargers’ meetings on Sunday afternoons, it’s a great opportunity for families to attend, especially since admission prices are so reasonable and children under 16 are free. It’s a fun afternoon watching a high-octane sport and hopefully, at the end of it all, the Chargers will have another victory added to their account.”
Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Admission is available at the early bird price of just £12 for all adults, which increases to £14 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.
The same programme will be used as for the Oxford Cheetahs vs Redcar Bears clash on Wednesday and supporters are reminded to bring this back with them and save themselves £3. Fresh programmes will still be on sale on the afternoon.
Teams:
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales: Luke Killeen (C), Wayne Hutt, Jason Garrad, Jacob Clouting, Jody Scott, Ashton Vale, Senna Summers.
Middlesbrough Tigers: Jade Mudgway, Ben Rathbone, Danny Phillips (C), Jamie Halder, Ben Trigger, William Hocaniuk, Kai Ward.