Cheetahs confirm guest riders for Cab Direct Knockout Cup Final

MONARCH Oxford Cheetahs have agreed the dates for the two legs of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup Final against Poole Pirates, with the second and concluding leg to take place at Oxford Stadium.

The first leg will take place down in Dorset at Poole Stadium in Wimborne Road next Wednesday (October 16) at 7.30pm, with the return leg at Cowley a day later on Thursday, October 17 at 7.30pm.

The home leg will be the 34th and final home meeting of the season at Oxford, the first track to hold 30 or more meetings in single season since Belle Vue in 2017. Oxford Speedway started the 2024 British Speedway season when OXS Oxford Spires took on Birmingham Brummies on March 14 and will conclude it when Monarch Cheetahs entertain Pirates on Thursday.

Oxford are looking to bounce back after their controversial defeat to Poole in the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final.

Cheetahs have booked three guests for each leg, since both Luke Killeen and Jody Scott are ruled out of action, after incidents with Poole reserve Vinnie Foord at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.

Dan Gilkes will continue to cover for the injured Jordan Jenkins – having scored 8+1 and 6+1 over the two legs of the Grand Final. For Killeen, Jack Smith will deputise for both meetings.

Oxford Charger Scott was due to again replace the injured Adam Roynon, who in turn was a temporary replacement for Henry Atkins. Ben Trigger will now guest for Roynon at Poole, while Connor Coles will cover the home leg.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “Of course, we were all very deflated after the meeting at Poole. But I feel it’s now time to draw a line under the events of Wednesday night and stay afresh in the final of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup.

“Due to his age, Luke Killeen is ruled out for concussion for 12 days after his two falls at Poole on Wednesday, while Jody Scott is also feeling the effects of his heavy crash down there.

“We’ve booked the very best guests available to us, while we’ve also booked riders who will give it 100 per cent for Cheetahs, as if they were riding for their own club. We want to finish on a high in the Cup Final, because I very much believe the Monarch Cheetahs deserve to win some silverware this season.”

Tickets are on sale for the second leg at Cowley at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Admission is available at the early bird price of £20 for all adults, which increases to £22 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.

Season Passes are NOT valid next Thursday. The passes did not include progression in any competition and all 28 meetings (12 Spires, 11 Cheetahs and 5 Chargers) covered by the Ultimate Pass have all taken place.

PHOTO: Dan Gilkes alongside Ashton Boughen (pic: Steve Edmunds)