BRITISH SPEEDWAY JANUARY 27, 2023

(SPEEDWAY 1)

OLD RIVALS MEET AGAIN

OXFORD will renew their historic A420 rivalry with Swindon in a special season-opening challenge fixture at Cowley.
The Cheetahs will host a Robins Select side on Wednesday March 29 with the visitors to be led by former World Champion Jason Doyle and managed by Alun Rossiter, who masterminded three top-flight league titles at Blunsdon – which has not staged a speedway meeting since their Premiership Grand Final victory in 2019.

Oxford promoter Jamie Courtney said: “Like everyone connected to the sport, we were sad to learn of speedway’s permanent closure at the Abbey Stadium last year. I truly believe a future can exist for the Robins.
“But keeping the name prominent in the public eye is key if aspirations for the club to return to racing permanently are to be realised. 

“Naturally we are delighted to help facilitate their return, even if it is only for one night. Both teams hold a historic rivalry and we hope this fixture will generate a fantastic, fun, and family friendly atmosphere on race night to start the year with a bang.
“The racing will be fast and furious and I know no quarter will be given on track, hopefully the Cheetahs can secure the bragging rights.”

(SPEEDWAY 2)

SHEFFIELD have received a big pre-season boost with the news that Tru Plant will continue as main team sponsors for 2023.
The TRU7 group pledged their backing to the Owlerton outfit when the South Yorkshire side stepped up into the Premiership in 2021, and they have reached the play-offs in both subsequent seasons, missing out in the Grand Final against Belle Vue last year.

Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “It goes without saying that this is just the news we needed with the season not too far away now. “I’ve said it time and time again how important sponsorship is in sport, especially in speedway, and we’re immensely grateful to Tru Plant and Guy Nicholls who does so much for speedway in this country.
“It’s been a successful partnership so far and with the team we’ve built for 2023, hopefully that can just continue to grow and grow.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BERWICK have completed their National Development League side with the addition of Connor Coles and Jamie Halder.
Coles, who won the NDL with Leicester last season and significantly raised his average, will be on double duty at Shielfield Park as he also has a team place in the Championship with the Bandits.

Halder, meanwhile, joins the Bullets after spending last year with Kent, and they round off a much-changed team with skipper Greg Blair and Mason Watson the only riders retained from 2022.
Team boss Gary Flint said: “Jamie is another talented young man from the North East whose progress has been restricted by injury in his early years.

“He showed he was willing to put in the miles to get a team spot by joining Kent last season and he had a solid year at Iwade and certainly caught our eye, and we were keen to offer the opportunity to further his career with Berwick.”