'Ace' start at Oxford

The Oxford Cheetahs open the 2007 Sky Sports Elite League speedway season at the Greyhound Stadium, Sandy Lane, Cowley this Friday evening at 7.45pm when they face the world famous Manchester-based Belle Vue Aces in a challenge match.

And then, just two days later on Sunday, again at 7.45pm the club have the honour of staging a Great Britain Under 21 v Denmark Under 21 test match. These two matches promise to provide an action-packed start to what promises to be an exciting season for both the Cheetahs and the club's Conference League side, the Oxford Lions.

Looking towards Friday's opening match against Belle Vue, Cheetahs team manager Mick Horton is confident of his side gaining an opening night victory. "I'm very happy indeed with the look of our side for this year," he said, "with all seven of them capable of making winning races a distinct habit. All of them have looked very sharp indeed in the practice sessions we've had but on Friday it's the nitty-gritty of competitive action. I'm confident that we'll open the season with a victory although we know it won't be easy against the Aces especially as they include former Oxford riders Pole Adam Skornicki, Finn Kai Laukkanen and American Ryan Fisher."

The major winter changes at Belle Vue saw, like ourselves, a change in club ownership and the departure of world champion Jason Crump to Poole so looking at Friday's line up, England international Simon Stead takes over the responsibility of leading the Aces this year. Aged 25 next month, he was part of the Team GB at last year?s Speedway World Cup and there is no doubt he will play a major part in his countries future at World level.

The first of the ex-Oxford riders in the Aces side, 31 years old Finn Kaj Laukkanen had a spell at Oxford towards the end of the 2003 season so knows his way around our circuit.. It was always going to be difficult for him coming in at that time but he certainly gave it his all in his brief spell here. That was the last time Kaj was seen on these shores and he has been itching to get back, something he has done with one of his former clubs.

It?s hard to believe that the all-action Joe Screen is now aged 34 but he returns for his umpteenth season as an Ace and has been a fine servant of the club despite a couple of spells away. Joe is another all action rider who has thrilled fans world-wide throughout his career thus far.

23 years old American Ryan Fisher is another former Oxford rider in the Aces line up having spent a season with our club in 2004. Some members of the speedway press reported that Ryan was on the verge of a place here at Oxford this season but it was Belle Vue who captured his signature.

Adam Skornicki was named in the Oxford team in December but the early part of January saw him released to accommodate the signing of Pepe Protasiewicz and Belle Vue were quick to snap up this all action star. Aged 30 now, Adam had some very fine moments with us last season and of course he is well known for his donuts after winning a race.

Australian Kevin Doolan, aged 26, is a rider who used to second half at Oxford many years ago. Stepping up into the Sky Sports Elite League on a full time basis this season, he has joined the Aces this year after being an integral member of the 2006 Premier League winning Kings Lynn side.

The Belle Vue side for Friday is completed by the inclusion of 20 years old James Wright who hails from Stockport and who began his career with Buxton in the Conference League and rode for Workington in last year?s Premier League.