Oxford's swedish ace Jimmy Nilsen maintained his Grand Prix status despite a crash at Abensberg, Germany on Sunday.

Brian Andersen also produced the goods, but there was no joy for skipper Steve Johnston, who was eliminated in the early stages on a very wet and sometimes dangerous surface that claimed many crash victims throughout the day.

Nilsen, who finished fourth the day Hans Nielsen won his first world title in Poland in 1986, dearly wanted to continue his battle with the top boys next season.

He said: "If you are involved in a sport you always want to be among the best, that's why Sunday's performance meant so much to me.

"I am 34 in November, but I still have the dream of winning the world title. I have been second, third and fourth, but it will be the No 1 position I am after next year."

Nilsen was among those who crashed on Sunday, but he escaped any injury on the rain sodden track.

Andersen, meanwhile, revelled in the condtions. Coming in from heat one, he won his first three races, before two third places gave him ninth qualifying spot.

A second, third and fourth was not good enough to take Johnston though to the main event.

Nilsen and Todd Wiltshire fly the flag for Oxford in the Elite League Riders Championship at Coventry next weekend.

The full line-up is: P Karlsson, Hamill, Lyons, Screen, Loram, Ermolenko, Crump, Nilsen, Sullivan, Hancock, Dugard, Louis, Nicholls, Adams, Wiltshire,

Pedersen.

Nilsen missed Cheetahs win over Eastbourne on Friday because there is an agreement between the BSPA and SVEMO that means he does not ride domestic speedway for two days before a grand prix meeting and two days after.