Wednesday, April 29, 2026
OXFORD SPEEDWAY
CheetahsOxford Speedway

PREVIEW: Oxford Cheetahs looking for positive start to BSN Series campaign (please note meeting now postponed to April 22)

RPOxfordSpeedway

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs are involved in their opening official fixture of the 2026 season, when they host Plymouth Gladiators in the southern group of the BSN Series at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday (April 8) evening at 7.30pm.

Cheetahs started their season last Wednesday with a home 52-38 victory over homeless Coventry Bees in a challenge match, with skipper Sam Masters collecting a paid maximum, backed up by 13 points from Erik Riss, and both Anders Rowe and Dayle Wood having impressing debuts for the club.

Oxford and Plymouth join Poole Pirates in the southern section of the BSN Series. The group winners progress directly to the semi-finals, while the best-scoring runners-up across the three groups will also progress.

Plymouth were involved in two BSN Series matches over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, but lost them both to Poole. Gladiators lost Danish rider Tobias Thomsen with multiple injuries, after an alarming crash with Richard Lawson at Poole.

Plymouth are attractive visitors and include Scott Nicholls in their side – the 47-year-old was skipper of Cheetahs for three years between 2022 and 2024.

Both Mitch McDiarmid (riding in Poland) and Darryl Ritchings (recovering after a surgical procedure) missed the challenge match against Coventry, but both are set to ride on Wednesday evening for a full-strength Cheetahs’ side.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “When you look across the various groups in the BSN Series, it doesn’t come any more competitive than the southern section, in which we face Plymouth and Poole.

“Plymouth have put together a very competitive side this season and we know we need to perform as a team to overcome them. But we should have our full whole team out and we’re looking forward to the meeting.

“We’re going to enjoy ourselves. We want the same attitude as we had in our challenge match last week against Coventry – we want the same fun factor. That was a terrific night of action in front of a healthy crowd with a good atmosphere and we want more of the same.

“The kids are still off school on their Easter holidays, and Wednesday’s meeting is a perfect night out for the whole family, especially as under-16s go free when accompanied by an adult.”

Tickets are already on sale at 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.

Teams:

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters (C), Luke Killeen, Anders Rowe, Mitch McDiarmid, Erik Riss, Darryl Ritchings, Dayle Wood. Team manager: Peter Schroeck.

OBS Plymouth Gladiators: Danny King, Guest or R/R for Tobias Thomsen, Joe Thompson, Ben Barker (C), Scott Nicholls, Daniel Klima, Tom Spencer. Team manager: Garry May.