What an amazing night we had last week. It was the culmination of years of campaigning and months of back-breaking labour, and we all had a fantastic evening. The facilities here at ‘The New Sandy Lane’ are top-notch, even without the bottom bar being open, and last week’s racing was some of the best I can remember seeing here, with close racing and lots of passing. While the win wasn’t as comfortable as we would have liked – I was a bit worried around heat 5, to be honest with you – it’s certainly promising for the future. Sadly, Josh was hurt after coming off in heat 2 (although he still came out for two rides after that – speedway riders are built different), and so we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Last Wednesday was strange for me personally, because it was my first actual home meeting as Supporter’s Club chair, despite holding the position for nearly 15 years. I was elected chair of the committee in 2007, just before the news filtered through that Oxford would not be coming to the tapes in 2008, although I hope the two events were unrelated. The Supporter’s Club was founded many (many) years ago, and our historical role has been to raise money to assist the promotion with the costs of running speedway here at Sandy Lane. However, Jamie has told us that (unlike some previous promotions) he doesn’t expect or want direct cash donations from the Supporter’s Club, preferring that we donate either towards a physical asset for the club or to the riders as sponsorship. So dig deep when we come selling Raceday Jackpot tickets – it’s for a good cause.
Those of you on social media might want to get involved with the OSSC social channels. You can search for us on Facebook at “Oxford Speedway Supporters” and find us on Twitter at @OxSpeedwaySC (the obvious choice of @OSSC had already been claimed by the Orchid Society of South Carolina, and they weren’t willing to part with it). On both platforms we’ll try and keep you up to speed with the latest from the OSSC (the Supporter’s Club, not the Orchid Society), and you can get in contact with us if you have any problems, concerns, questions or suggestions.
Things didn’t go our way on Good Friday at Poole, but we have the chance for quick revenge tonight. Hopefully the boys are starting to figure out the quickest way round Sandy Lane, and can treat the Pirates the way they treated us a few nights ago.
Go Cheetahs
Gav