THREE familiar faces will represent Oxford Cheetahs on the Isle of Wight this week.

Nathan Stoneman, Ryan Terry-Daley and Jamie Sealey will race for Cheetahs in their three challenge matches, having been part of the side that travelled to the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde two years ago.

James Laker completes the quartet for the tournament against the Isle of Wight and Cradley Heath, which starts on Thursday and continues on August 12 and 24.

Stoneman, who will ride No 1, was left without a track in 2021 after the closure of the Oaktree Arena, Somerset, and set up his own landscaping company.

But with Oxford Stadium set to reopen for speedway next year, the 24-year-old has plenty to be excited about.

He said: “I’m delighted to be riding for Oxford on the Isle Of Wight.

“I live in Greater Leys, which is just around the corner from the Oxford track, while I used to work for former Cheetah Spencer Timmo, for his company SD Timmo Car Sales.

“Like a lot of people, I was sceptical about speedway ever returning to Oxford and seeing it would be believing it.

“But there’s now a lot of hope and I’d love it back.

“My future father-in-law Stuart Baker has been a lifelong Oxford fan and he’s been one of those volunteering (at the stadium) on Sunday mornings to clear the weeds.

“It would be brilliant for speedway to return to the stadium, and in the meantime, I’m proud to be representing Oxford in these three matches.”

The Welshman is joined by Terry-Daley, another rider who has been without a full-time league place this year.

He has competed at National League level since 2012 and started the season with Newcastle Gems, before they had to withdraw from the competition.

Sealey, meanwhile, has Oxford links through uncle Lance Sealey, who had two spells with Cheetahs in the 1990s.

He rides for the Isle of Wight’s Wightlink Wizards second-half team.

Kent-based Laker is just 19, who has already taken part in a British Under 21 Championship qualifier, is part of Eastbourne’s set-up.

They will be managed by former World No 2 Gordon Kennett.

Cheetahs’ race jackets will include a tribute to Simon Wigg, one of the club’s most famous riders who died in 2000, aged just 40.

Admission is £12 per meeting for adults and £10 for concessions, while children aged 16 and under can watch for free.

The on-track action begins at 6.15pm.