Declan Killeen signs for Oxford Chargers

DECLAN Killeen – the older brother of Luke Killeen – will ride for the Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales in their final two meetings of the season.

Killeen – who will replace the injured Alex Spooner – will make his debut for Chargers at Oxford Stadium against league leaders Leicester Lion Cubs on Sunday afternoon (August 25), before also riding at Scunthorpe a week on Friday (August 30).

He comes in on an assessed 3.00 average, and will line-up at reserve for Chargers alongside Senna Summers.

Killeen, aged 20, has been racing since the age of five or six, alongside his brother.

He said: “I’m going to take these meetings as a bit of a feeler. I haven’t ridden a bike competitively since March. I’ve practiced around Oxford and that’s gone quite well.

“I’m not placing too much expectation on myself, because I haven’t had time for loads of preparation, but I’d like to score a few points.

“I got over here a couple of weeks ago. I’m going back to Australia on September 2, a few days after my last meeting for the Chargers. I’m over here for around a month in total.

“I came over here to help Luke out and have a few rides after the meetings, but it’s all happened very fast and now I’m riding for Chargers. We’ll see what happens. Good things could happen from here – we’ll see what happens next year.”

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck added: “Declan riding for the Chargers wasn’t in the script! He came over here to see Luke and help him out and mechanic for him and he was only going to be over here for a couple of weeks.

“But we saw him practicing and we thought we could offer him the last two meetings of the season for Chargers, since we’re missing a couple of riders, with both Jason (Garrad) and Alex (Spooner) out injured. Luckily Declan’s boss in Australia was understanding and gave him the time off. He looks quite handy. We’re looking forward to having him on board.

“There’s no pressure on him. There isn’t on any of the Chargers. We just enjoy the racing and seeing what the boys can do. I’m sure Declan will fit in nicely and I look forward to working with him.”

Tickets are on already on sale for Chargers’ home meeting on Sunday (3pm) against Leicester at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/