Oxford speedway is teaming up with former Cheetahs ace Marvyn Cox in a bid to produce more English champions, writes John Gaisford.

Cox, who joined Oxford as a 19-year-old back in 1984, and was an integral part of the hugely successful Cheetahs team of the 80's, aims to put plenty back into the sport that gave him such a wonderful career until a bad injury forced him to retire.

He has found a cracking little bike in Sweden that should get the youngters queuing up to have a go.

And Cox's enthusiasm for the scheme has been matched by Oxford promoters Steve and Vanessa Purchase, who will be sponsoring Marvyn in his new enterprise.

Vanessa Purchase said: "Steve and I are very supportive of bringing youngsters on in the sport. It has to be the way forward.

"No-one else is doing what Marvyn is doing, and now the young kids can have a go. It's going to be very exciting."

Cox, who is also being supported by JT Commercials, has already sold eight of the bikes and mascots at Poole, Oxford, Arena Essex, King's Lynn and Hull will be strutting their stuff on the new bikes this season.

His first training session at King's Lynn recently attracted 14 youngsters and five grown ups.

Now, Cox and the Purchases are looking for a suitable site in Oxfordshire to build a training track, but in the meantime, it's likely to be confined to speedway tracks.

The bikes are Honda replicas with a moped engine, 50cc four-stroke, with a one gear drive and run on unleaded fuel and are for 6-11 year-olds.

The bikes are for sale at £1,450 each, and the cost of a full day's training, including unlimited use of the bikes, is £100.

Enquiries to 07977 926030 or 01865 778970.