Oxford Cheetahs are almost certain to be racing in the Premier League next season.

This follows the news that promoter Steve Purchase has told top ranking trio of Leigh Adams, Lukas Dryml and skipper Steve Johnston that they are free to talk to other clubs over the winter.

Purchase has told the British Speedway Promoters Association, in no uncertain terms, that he cannot and will not run in the Elite League next season under the existing format.

The Grand Prix series is being expanded to eleven meetings next year, although the last two in Australia and New Zealand would be outside the British season.

Purchase has just been through a nightmare season, with fixtures alternating between Wednesday and Friday and a resultant drop in crowd figures.

When the Peterborough-Cheetahs clash was awarded to the home side after rain washed out the meeting, he decided he had had enough.

The cancellation of that fixture cost Cheetahs any chance of reaching the play-offs.

Oxford missed out on eleven Friday nights last season, which not only upset Purchase, but also the Stadium management who, for business reasons, are also looking for continuity.

The Premier League consists of 17 teams against the nine in the Elite League and with no demands on GP riders, Oxford would hope to be racing every Friday throughout the season.

Purchase is set to meet the fans again at the final Grand Prix Barbecue at the Green Road Club at Kidlington on Saturday (10.30am.

Oxford won't know whether their application to join the Premier League has been successful until the annual meeting next month.

Meanwhile, Adams, Dryml, Johnston and asset Todd Wiltshire could be racing their last meeting as Cheetahs riders when they take part in the inaugural Australian GP at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.

Tony Rickardsson has already been crowned champion for the fifth time and the race is on for the minor placings, with Adams well placed to make the top three.