Bumper crowd expected on Wednesday, as former skipper Scott Nicholls returns to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

A HUGE point of interest will be the return of Scott Nicholls in Plymouth colours to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday evening (July 23) at 7.30pm when the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies face the Plymouth Gladiators in Cab Direct Championship action.

Seven-time British Champion Nicholls was the skipper of the Cheetahs from 2022 to 2024. But he finished last season last October with a serious shoulder injury, sustained in the first leg of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup final at Sandy Lane.

After nine months on the sidelines, 47-year-old Nicholls declared himself ready to return. But Cheetahs are already well above the 40-point-limt at 42.42, while Plymouth had plenty of room. He made his debut for Gladiators at Edinburgh on Friday and scored 7+3 from five rides.

Cheetahs are led by Australian star Sam Masters, their No 1 rider since 2023, who joined Nicholls for many 5-1s in two seasons riding together. Masters is currently on an incredible average of 11.00 from 13 meetings. On Wednesday evening, the two men will be in opposition.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “More than anything, I’m happy for Scott that he’s back in British Speedway. No-one wanted his distinguished 30-year career to finish with his shoulder injury.

“We looked whether we could have fitted Scott back into the Cheetahs’ side, but it would have meant taking at least three riders out of the team to accommodate him. We would have had to dismantle the side and I didn’t think that was fair on the riders who have taken us through to two semi-finals already in the MAXiCab Knockout Cup and the BSN Series, as well as being in contention for the Cab Direct Championship play-offs.

“But whereas we were too far above the points limit, Plymouth were almost four points below it and they could fit him in.

“Scott has already attained legendary status at Oxford – as the captain of the Cheetahs for three seasons. Not only that, but he was our skipper when we re-opened for the first time in 15 years.

“There’s going to be a lot of focus on his return to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday, and it’s also bound to create a lot of media interest. That’s only right for a rider of his calibre – as a record-breaking seven-time British Champion and former Grand Prix star. Heat 1 on Wednesday will see Scott go head-to-head with Sam Masters, and that will excite a lot of people. Scott deserves a packed-out crowd to see him back at Cowley.

“And while we couldn’t fit Scott in this season, it certainly doesn’t prevent him from returning in the future. I feel there’s unfinished business with Scott Nicholls and the Cheetahs – maybe Scott does too.

“Of course, it’s not just about Scott on Wednesday – for me, the main focus is the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies picking up a victory against Plymouth and pushing our way back into the top four.”

Tickets are already on sale for the highly-anticipated clash between Cheetahs and Gladiators at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Admission is available at the early bird price of £21 for all adults, which increases to £23 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.

A full preview of this meeting will be issued on Tuesday.

PHOTO: Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls – don’t miss them in opposition at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday evening (pic: Steve Edmunds)