PETER Schroeck has ‘gone back to school’ to spearhead Oxford’s treble quest for honours.
And the 57-year-old admits it’s all part of the club’s project to become the busiest and most successful sporting team in the city.
Oxford will come to the tapes in an unprecedented three different leagues, competing as the Spires in the top-flight Sports Insure Premiership, traditionally as the Cheetahs in the second tier Cab Direct Championship and as the Chargers in the National Development League.
Schroeck said: “It’s a hugely exciting time to be an Oxford speedway fan – we are on the cusp of the busiest campaign in the club’s history.”
That dates all the way back to 1939 when they staged a series of open meetings before and during the three years of the Second World War.
The club entered the third tier National League in 1949 and have ridden at all three levels since then, but never all at the same time!
During the winter break, Schroeck, Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris and Jason Garrad went onto the pitch during League One Oxford’s local derby against Reading and the team boss and exciting talent Jordan Jenkins have visited schools to introduce pupils to the sport.
“Speedway has often been criticised for standing still and not doing enough to engage new audiences,” insists the ex-rider.
“Our approach is quite the opposite and we’re committed to playing an active role in the community to build awareness, raise the sport’s profile and generate new fans. We’re doing everything within our resources to make the entire operation a success both on and off the track.”
The Spires open the Oxford season at their Sandy Lane track on Thursday, March 14, when Birmingham, returning to the Premiership after a gap of nine years, are the first night opponents.
And Oxford fans will be introduced to a side that includes a raft of big-name signings, including Grand Prix regular Maciej Janowski, former British Grand Prix winner Chris Harris, Australian Rohan Tungate, 2019 British Champion Charles Wright and Danish crowd-pleaser Nicolai Klindt.
But there are two familiar faces in the line-up – Lewis Kerr who rode for the Championship side last year and 16-year-old reserve sensation Ashton Boughen who had a brief spell in the Cheetahs’ line-up, signing a professional contract on his 16th birthday last August.
Words by Freya Taylor.
Images by Taylor Lanning.