OXFORD boss Peter Schroeck believes it will be another “amazing night” for the Pairs title.
All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are represented in the major event which has its traditional place on the calendar the day before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Glasgow are defending champions and have recent signing Anders Rowe joining skipper Chris Harris, who was part of their winning combination last year, whilst the hosts track a formidable combination of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls.
Schroeck said: “I’m sure an amazing night is ahead. I am delighted that Oxford Stadium is staging the Championship Pairs for a third successive season.
“It’s fabulous for this stadium to stage big events like this – it’s great for Kevin (Boothby), for Jamie (Courtney), for everyone involved with our club.
“The last two stagings have been hotly contested and this year’s line-up looks better than ever. It’s a very tough line-up and no-one can be under-estimated.
“I believe Oxford is a very fair racetrack and that gives everyone a chance of success. Of course, I wish to see Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters win it for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs and that would be terrific for our own supporters. But every club can start their Cardiff weekend in style.”
Glasgow team boss Cami Brown believes new signing Rowe can help the club defend their Championship Pairs title.
He said: “We were so delighted to win a year ago and in some ways that kicked off our belief that we could win the league title a month or so later.
“It’s always a really difficult event and it takes a lot of stamina to go all the way.
“Last year it became so hectic in the semi-final and final for Chris and Ben to win the title.
“But I believe that Anders can come in and do a great job. He has shown so much speed and aggression since joining the club.
“There are some fabulous Pairs representing their clubs. But it’s one of those events that comes down to on the night and with a bit of luck along the way.”
All nine pairs take four rides over an 18-heat format, with 4-3-2-0 scoring, and the top four pairs then progress to the semi-finals and Final where the highest-scoring pair in each race are the winners.
LINEUPS:
PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker and Dan Thompson
BERWICK: Lewis Kerr and Drew Kemp
GLASGOW: Chris Harris and Anders Rowe
REDCAR: Charles Wright and Danny King
EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering and Paco Castagna
WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor and Antti Vuolas
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft and Kyle Howarth
POOLE: Richard Lawson and Ben Cook
OXFORD: Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters
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Words by Holeshot Media.
Images by Taylor Lanning.