Sunday, March 30, 2025
OXFORD SPEEDWAY
Oxford SpeedwaySpires

PREVIEW: BetGoodwin Oxford Spires looking to progress in Knockout Cup

RPOxfordSpeedway

BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires’ team boss Peter Schroeck insists that his side still has every chance of progression in the Premiership Knockout Cup. On Thursday (March 27) at 7.30pm, Spires are seeking to overturn a sixteen-point deficit when they face King’s Lynn Stars in the second leg of their quarter-final tie in the opening team action this season at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium.

Spires had a slow start at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday and were eighteen points down after eight races, before outscoring the hosts in the final seven races.

There was a particularly impressive British Speedway debut from 22-year-old Latvian Francis Gusts, who scored 7+1 and was twice close to defeating Chris Harris.

Six out of seven of the Stars had ridden in the Niels-Kristian Testimonial at King’s Lynn the previous week. For the second leg, the boot is much on the other foot, since five of the seven Spires rode in the Ben Fund Bonanza individual meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Sunday, gaining invaluable track time.

Both teams are at full strength, although both sides have made changes to their riding order. For Spires, Erik Riss moves to No 2 and Peter Kildemand to No 4.

Schroeck says: “The tie is far from over and decided on aggregate as yet.

“I was impressed how well the boys worked together in the pits on Monday night, didn’t give in, and kept their heads up right to the end. We held King’s Lynn for the second half of the meeting and that could be crucial when it comes to the second leg.

“Two or three 5-1s to us early on at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium and we will be right back in it. Most of our boys rode in the Ben Fund Bonanza on Sunday and already have a home meeting under their belts. Maciej and the rest of the boys are motivated and are up for the job.

“Nothing is settled yet and we will be going for it. We hope our supporters get right behind the lads as we aim to reach the semi-finals of the cup.”

Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Admission is available at the early bird price of £23 for all adults, which increases to £25 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. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.

Ultimate Season Passes are valid for this meeting – the first round of the Premiership Knockout Cup – but not for subsequent rounds, if Spires make further progress in the competition.

Teams:

BetGoodwin Oxford Spires: Rohan Tungate, Erik Riss, Charles Wright, Peter Kildemand, Maciej Janowski (C), Francis Gusts, Luke Killeen (RS).

King’s Lynn Stars: Ben Cook, Richard Lawson, Nicolai Klindt (C), Niels-Kristian Iversen, Jan Kvech, Chris Harris, Ashton Boughen (RS).

PHOTO: Rohan Tungate and Francis Gusts are nearest camera, as all three Oxford sides mingle in the pits during the Press and Practice Day (pic: Les Aubrey)