Oxford speedway riders’ excellent start to the season has prompted hopes that the team could repeat successes of previous years.

Enthusiast John Fray was delighted with Oxford Spires’ impressive victory recently over Sheffield Tigers, last year’s league champions and a team full of star riders.

He writes: “Among the Sheffield seven were two former world champion stars, Tai Woffinden and Chris Holder, and a serious contender for this year’s championship, Jack Holder.

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“Sheffield were a strong team for our fledging Spires to overcome. It was a thriller with victory only assured for Oxford after heat 14. The crowd, I’m sure, believed it was a night to remember.”

The victory reminded him of the night when Oxford speedway had another gathering of top-class riders.

He tells me: “My mind went back to October 2005 to a Craven Shield semi-final.

“Oxford were up against two teams, Belle Vue and Eastbourne. With a star-studded line-up, great racing was guaranteed.

“Oxford Silver Machine’s six-man team included American Greg Hancock, a former world champion, who would go on to win the title three more times.

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“On the night, Greg rode alongside his all-time best buddy, Billy Hamill, another American former world champion.

“The team also included young Neils-Kristian Iversen, who would become Danish champion and world championship rider and whom we will see on our track again this season riding for King’s Lynn. Swede Freddie Eriksson was another team member, no slouch either.

“The star riders that night didn’t stop with Oxford - Eastbourne Eagles included three times World and Danish champion Nicki Pedersen and Mark Loram, former World champion and three times British champion.

“Bell Vue were not left behind, with 2004 World champion and former Oxford Cheetah Jason Crump to contend with. Simon Stead, now Sheffield Tigers’ team manager, was also a big point scoring force on the track that night.

“All the star riders won heats and although Oxford won the meeting with a clear 42 points to Eastbourne’s 34 and Belle Vue 32, it was a great evening for competitive racing and one to be remembered.

“Oxford Silver Machine went on to claim the 2005 Craven Shield, a rewarding end to the season.”

Mr Fray, of London Road, Wheatley, is hopeful that the Oxford teams in three different leagues this season will bring home more trophies.

He tells me: “We started with Oxford Spires winning their first two meetings in the premier league.

“Perhaps it’s hoping too much for us to win the league, but one thing is guaranteed - many of today’s international riders will be competing on the Sandy Lane track this season, some for the first time.

“Many more memories are certain and will become part of Oxford speedway’s 75-year history since its first league meeting in 1949.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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