PREVIEW: Oxford Chargers take centre stage at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium against King’s Lynn Young Stars

DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers are involved in their first evening meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium since October 2023, when they host the King’s Lynn Young Stars in the WSRA National League on Wednesday night (June 10) at 7.30pm.

Chargers are looking to kick-start their season against the Young Stars. They lost opening two meetings of the season against Middlesbrough Tigers – a 42-48 home reverse at Cowley, followed by a controversial 44-45 defeat up in Teesside.

For the last two seasons, while three teams were in operation at Sandy Lane, Chargers ran on Sunday afternoons. But this season there is a mix of Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Chargers’ skipper Jody Scott comes fresh from finishing a fine runner-up in the British Under-21 Final at Redcar on Sunday. 

Another Charger celebrating over the weekend was Ashton Vale. He was a double winner in the 2026 British Grasstrack Championships near Shipley, East Sussex on Sunday, winning both the 350cc and 250cc classes – the first time such a double has been achieved since Andy Phillips won both classes in 1988, some 38 years ago.

Sadly, Mason Watson has retired from speedway. He was travelling down from Northumberland to ride for Chargers, alongside a full-time job. Chargers bring in Seth Norman as a guest replacement at No 2.

Jamie Courtney will stand in as team manager for Peter Schroeck, who has an unavoidable family commitment. It is the first time Schroeck has missed an Oxford meeting since 2022.

Skipper Jody Scott said: “The last meeting for Chargers was at Redcar against Middlesbrough, which seems like ages ago. I’m looking forward to working with the boys as a team again and having a fun time again.

“The Chargers always get tremendous support from the supporters at Oxford and we will look at repaying that faith with a good result.”

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of £13 for all adults, which increases to £15 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 when booking their ticket if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park. Parking at the Unipart car park is now fully restored and the club thank Unipart for their co-operation.

Ultimate Season Passes ARE valid for this meeting.

Teams:

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers: Jody Scott (C), Seth Norman (G), Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Harry Fletcher, Max Broadhurst. Team manager: Jamie Courtney.

King’s Lynn Foster Coldstores Young Stars: Simon Lambert (C), Connor King, Jack Kingston, Mickie Simpson, Jake Mulford, Kenzie Cossey, Ollie Binns. Team manager: TBC.

PHOTO by Steve Edmunds