Monarch Cheetahs “bursting with excitement” for Swindon challenge

Oxford Speedway Team Manager Peter Schroeck said he and his riders are bursting with excitement ahead of Wednesday’s pre-season fixture against Swindon Robins Select.

The Monarch Cheetahs host the Robins at Oxford Stadium (7.30pm) to kick-start their highly anticipated 2023 campaign following the club’s historic relaunch almost 12 months ago.

Swindon arrive at Sandy Lane in different circumstances. The five-times British League champions are currently homeless and have been absent from the track since lifting the SGB Premiership title in October 2019. 

2017 World Champion Jason Doyle plus a host of the Robins’ former riders including Adam Ellis, Kyle Howarth and Justin Sedgmen have agreed to take on the Monarch Cheetahs, who will be led by new number one Sam Masters.

Club officials have forecast the biggest crowd since Oxford Stadium reopened its doors, and Schroeck is excited to see the Cowley venue’s terraces packed once again following the winter break.

“The hype and anticipation for this meeting since we announced it would be taking place has been phenomenal,” said Schroeck. “This is only a pre-season fixture, but ticket sales prove to us just how popular speedway is locally and we’re anticipating the biggest crowd of our new era.

“There is a great rivalry between Oxford and Swindon and while no quarter is given on track, we ultimately want to see both clubs thrive and be part of a new dawn for British Speedway.

“Sadly, events of recent years mean the Robins are no longer racing competitively. As our supporter base knows, it’s important to keep the name alive which is why we were keen to invite the club to be our first opponents of the year.

“The boys responded well to our practice sessions last week and this fixture will put us in a good position ahead of our first competitive meeting against Poole Pirates a week later.”

Tickets for the Monarch Cheetahs’ first fixture of 2023 are on sale and available to purchase by clicking here. Adults are priced £20 while all U16s go FREE! Doors open at 6pm, tapes-up is at 7.30pm.

Supporters are reminded only limited disabled and motorcycle parking spaces are available onsite – no parking is available at Oxford Stadium for any general admission ticket holders. Spaces at UniPart are also sold out, the club is encouraging supporters to car share or use public transport where possible.

TEAM NEWS

Monarch Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Luke Killeen.

Swindon Robins Select: Jason Doyle, Anders Rowe, Kyle Howarth, Justin Sedgmen, Adam Ellis, Jack Smith, Sam Hagon.

Photo: Mark Lee-Sing.