PREVIEW: Huge night ahead, as Oxford Stadium hosts the prestigious Championship Pairs

FOR the third year in succession, Oxford Stadium will kick-start the biggest weekend on the British Speedway calendar, with the staging of the Championship Pairs at Cowley on Friday evening (7.30pm).

The event takes place 24 hours before the British Grand Prix at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday evening, where Polish star Maciej Janowski will become the first Oxford representative since Greg Hancock in 2005. Many supporters from around the country are expected to take in the Championship Pairs at Oxford on their way to Cardiff.

Home hopes for Oxford Cheetahs are carried by the formidable pairing of No 1 Sam Masters and skipper Scott Nicholls. Both are amongst the best riders in the Cab Direct Championship.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m sure an amazing night is ahead. I am delighted that Oxford Stadium is staging the Championship Pairs for a third successive season. It’s fabulous for this stadium to stage big events like this – it’s great for Kevin (Boothby), for Jamie (Courtney), for everyone involved with our club.

“The last two stagings have been hotly contested and this year’s line-up looks better than ever. It’s a very tough line-up and no-one can be under-estimated.

“I believe Oxford is a very fair racetrack and that gives everyone a chance of success. Of course, I wish to see Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters win it for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs and that would be terrific for our own supporters. But every club can start their Cardiff weekend in style.

“Every race is a Heat 13 or 15 and I hope speedway is the winner, with a large crowd producing a great atmosphere. I also hope there’s some tremendous racing and also great team-riding, which is all important with the 4-3-2-0 scoring in place, especially when it comes to the three knockout races at the conclusion of the meeting. I’m sure there will be very worthy champions come the end of the evening.”

Points scoring is 4-3-2-0 and after Heat 18 the top four scorers progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each semi contesting the Grand Final.

Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45-6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of £22 for all adults, which increases to £24 on Race Day. Children (11-15) are £5 and under-11s free. Free car parking is available at the Unipart car park while availability lasts. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting. Season passes are NOT valid for this meeting.

Line-up:

PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker and Dan Thompson

BERWICK: Lewis Kerr and Drew Kemp

GLASGOW: Chris Harris and Anders Rowe

REDCAR: Charles Wright and Danny King

EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering and Paco Castagna

WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor and Antti Vuolas

SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft and Kyle Howarth

POOLE: Richard Lawson and Ben Cook

OXFORD: Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters

(PHOTO: Last year’s podium finishers captured by Les Aubrey)