THE future of Oxford speedway is in a confused state after a local consortium have had their dreams of bringing back speedway to Sandy Lane scuppered, writes ROBERT PEASLEY.

It was thought that would be the end of the Cheetahs, but management at Oxford Stadium last night denied that negotiations to run speedway next year have been terminated.

In fact, they are ongoing, according to general manager Maureen Ridley.

The consortium was in negotiations with the GRA (Greyhound Racing Association) to reintroduce speedway at Premier League level next year.

They believed that they had been successful and were all set to announce the return of speedway to Sandy Lane after a year's exodus, but then received an eleventh hour rejection to their plans.

Consortium members Ian Kirke and Nick Andrews, the men who brought a nomadic Cheetahs side back into action this year, exclaimed: "To say we're all gutted is a massive understatement.

"We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to establish a sustainable business plan that would have guaranteed racing over the long-term.

"Confidence was high and funding was available to establish a highly competitive side that would, no doubt, have challenged for honours at Premier League level."

It's a well known fact that if speedway is to return to Cowley, the GRA want only top-class racing.

It has been widely rumoured that businessman Tony Mole, a former promoter at Oxford who currently owns Birmingham speedway – who race at another GRA track – is been at the forefront of negotiations with GRA chief Clive Feltham.