CHEETAHS BACK ON TRACK!

OXFORD have confirmed plans for the return of league racing to Cowley in the 2022 season.

Speedway was last staged at the venue in 2007 but stadium manager David Lestrade says the intention is for the sport to make a very welcome return, run in-house with a promoter employed by the club.

Lestrade said: “I’m confident that Oxford Cheetahs will be back. Of course, something unforeseen could happen, but it’s definitely in the pipeline to have speedway back.

“The first thing we need to do is get the greyhounds open, because of the financial turnover that brings and that should be back by this December.

“But the plan is then to have everything open at the stadium to the public, all the facilities and so on, in time for the start of next year’s speedway season, with the first meeting around March or April.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped up the stadium over the last few weeks.

“We’ve had an enthusiastic bunch of volunteers up there on some Sundays, removing the weeds on the terraces or clearing up the pits. Meanwhile, some supporters are self-employed in a trade where they can bring in their equipment or skills.

“It’s been amazing what’s been done already and it shows the passion which is out there.”