PREVIEW: Oxford Cheetahs out to extend unbeaten home run to five meetings against league leaders

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs are looking to put in another spirited performance for the visit of Cab Direct Championship leaders Scunthorpe Scorpions to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday evening (August 5) at 7.30pm.

Oxford were reduced to just five riders for much of last Friday’s home clash with title favourites Poole Pirates, but still battled to an exciting 45-45 draw in a meeting that will long be remembered by Cheetahs’ fans.

Cheetahs are due to be back to full strength on Wednesday evening, with the return of Mitch McDiarmid and Edward Kennett. 18-year-old McDiarmid was busy scoring seven points in the second round of the SGP2 series (World Under-21 Championship) in Poland last Friday. Kennett took just one ride at Cowley against Poole, before aggravating a wrist injury, but he is fit to resume racing.

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe hand a debut to Jacob Hook. The Australian – who had made a number of guest appearances for Cheetahs in the past – had previously been left out of British Speedway for 2026. He replaces the injured Dan Gilkes in Scorpions’ line-up.

Scunthorpe are led by Josh Pickering, who is top of the Cab Direct Championship averages this season. Oxford skipper Sam Masters has also been in top form in recent weeks – including scoring a paid maximum against Poole last Friday – and the clashes between the two Australians will be highly anticipated.

Cheetahs are unbeaten in their last four home meetings, with wins over Redcar, Plymouth and Berwick followed by the draw against Poole.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck says: “The performance by Cheetahs at home to Poole last Friday was simply superb and I’m really proud of the boys to overcome the obstacles that we faced. Sometimes after a draw, you’ve left wondering if you could have done more. But I didn’t feel that at all, because our remaining riders did everything which was possible and above.

“We extended our unbeaten run at home to four matches with the result against the Pirates, and this week we want to make that five against Scunthorpe.

“Much of Scunthorpe’s strength is at home, but they’ve had some decent results on the road as well. They’re top of the Cab Direct Championship table for a reason. But I feel is we perform as we can – as we did against Poole last Friday – then we can win the meeting.

“We just need to keep up the positive results at home and continue to pick up the points, while treating our fans to more top-notch speedway and sending them home entertained.”

Tickets are on sale 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. 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.

On Race Day, there is now also the chance to buy tickets by cash or card at the box office from 6pm.

NOTE FOR THOSE TRAVELLING BY CAR: For the majority, parking at Unipart is unaffected by the Watlington Road roadworks. However, season ticket holders with stadium parking, staff, and blue badge holders should note there is likely to be no direct right turn into Sandy Lane from the main road and please adjust your route accordingly – you can still turn left into Sandy Lane. Fortunately, the BMW works are on their summer break, and travel disruption is at a minimum.

Teams:

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

Ellie Rose Travel Scunthorpe Scorpions: Josh Pickering (C), Connor Mountain, Jacob Hook, Michael Palm Toft, Luke Harrison, Ryan Ingram, Nathan Ablitt. Team manager: David Howe.

PHOTO by Steve Edmunds