Good evening everyone, and welcome to Oxford Stadium, where the Oxford Cheetahs will take on the Scunthorpe Scorpions.
Who can honestly say we’d ever get to say that again? Even this time last year few would have believed that we’d be here tonight, seeing the Cheetahs roaring back into life at an Oxford stadium that, after a decade of being left to rot, looks better than it has in many, many years. Many column inches have been written about the rebirth of the stadium, but it bears saying again – big thanks need to go to both Kevin Boothby and Jamie Courtney for delving (very) deep into their pockets and bringing the sport we all love back to Oxford. Their faith is certainly being repaid tonight with a sell out crowd, and we’re hoping to see as many of you return throughout the season as we can.
Some of you will remember the last meeting here in 2007 where – ironically – the Cheetahs lost to the Scorpions in the Conference League final. After the difficulties the club had been through that year (and, indeed, the previous two) there was a feeling of optimism for a 2008 which we believed would be the start of a new era. No-one could have predicted as we left the stadium that night that we’d need to wait fifteen years to get our revenge on the Scorpions. Certainly, we on the Supporters Club committee wouldn’t have believed that before the Cheetahs were back on track we’d have five children between us, but here we are.
Maybe you remember the 1980s, when Oxford was the most successful team in British Speedway, led by a certain Danish superstar who’s with us again tonight. Again, much has been written (in this very programme, no less) about those years. Could we see the start of the next Oxford dynasty tonight, where the Cheetahs sweep all before them and retake their rightful position as the top club in British speedway? We can certainly hope so.
Perhaps this is your first ever speedway meeting, and you’re here to see what all the fuss is about. If so, we hope you have a fantastic evening. If you’ve never seen a speedway race before, prepare to be amazed. Four incredibly skilled riders, two from each team, will be competing in 15 races of four laps each. Throughout the night (and the whole season here at Sandy Lane) the Oxford riders, as the home team, will be wearing red or blue helmets, and the opposition will wear white or yellow & black helmets. Riders are awarded 3 points for a race win, 2 for finishing second, and 1 for third. The rider in fourth place, and any rider who doesn’t finish the race, gets zero points. These points are totalled up and the team whose riders have scored the most points at the end of the night wins the match. As with all sports, there are times when the rules get slightly more complicated, but if you’re ever confused by what you’re seeing on track, ask the people around you. Speedway fans are a knowledgeable and friendly bunch and will try and explain what’s going on for you. Oh, and two more things. The bikes accelerate faster than an F1 car, and they don’t have any brakes.
But enough from me, it’s time to get racing.
We’ve waited 15 years for tonight, let’s make the most of it.
Go Cheetahs.
Gav