WOFFINDEN HAILS OXFORD REVIVAL

Triple Speedway GP world champion Tai Woffinden gave a “massive congratulations” to Oxford on their remarkable rebirth after starring on his Cowley return.

The Sheffield star scored 12 points as the Oxford Spires defeated the Tigers 47-43 in a Rowe Motor Oil Premiership clash on Thursday, with former British champion Charles Wright impressing on 11 for the home side just months after his 2023 season was ended by a horror crash in Wroclaw.

Despite coming out on the losing side, Woffinden only had praise for Oxford – a club that closed due to financial problems in 2007, before fans won a 15-year battle to restore racing to the venue.

Under promoters Kevin Boothby and Jamie Courtney, the club was revived at Championship level for the 2022 season, enjoying sell-out crowds in their early weeks. 

Oxford becomes the first club in British speedway history to enter a team into all three divisions this year, with the Spires racing in the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership, the Cheetahs competing in the Cab Direct Championship and the Chargers lining up in the National Development League.

Making his first appearance at Cowley since Oxford’s revival, Woffinden was delighted with what he saw. He said: “This was the first time I’ve been here since 2007 and I want to say a massive congratulations to anyone involved with Oxford Speedway.

“The people running it, the sponsors behind it and all the fans for coming week in, week out because without fans we all know that speedway wouldn’t be possible. The track is unbelievable. It’s such a nice track to ride and it was great to be back here – long may it continue.”