Oxford Cheetahs

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Oxford Cheetahs
Club Information
Track Address Oxford Stadium
Sandy Lane
Cowley
Oxford
Country England
Founded 1949
Closed    2007
Website Official site
Club Facts
Colours Blue and Yellow
Track size    297 metres
Major Team Honours
British League Champions
Elite League Champions
British League KO Cup Winners
Craven Shield Winners
National League Champions
Elite League Fours Champions
Premier League Fours Champions
Gold Cup Winners		 1985, 1986, 1989
2001
1986
2005
1987
1996
1994
1989

The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. They had also been known as the 'Rebels' and the 'Silver Machine'.[1] Until 30 May 2007, they rode in the Elite League and operated a junior side known as the Oxford Lions which competed in the Conference League.

Contents

[edit] Closure

In a statement issued by the British Speedway Promoters Association on the 31st May 2007, their owner Colin Horton closed the club as a result of only 400–500 regular supporters attending home fixtures, and losing several thousand pounds every week. [2]

In June 2007 businessman Allen Trump invested in the club (also sponsoring the club via LCD Publishing) to secure the lease on the track and the Cheetahs completed the 2007 season in the Conference League, replacing the Lions.[3]

After the 2007 season, owner Allen Trump planned to bring the Cheetahs back into the Premier League for 2008.[4] However, Trump was unable to secure a deal with landlords, the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) to continue speedway racing at the Cowley stadium and in January 2008 the club closed.[5] [6]

[edit] 2007 Elite League Team (now released by club)

[edit] 2006 Team

[edit] Notable Oxford Riders

[edit] References

  1. ^ Oakes, P (2006). Speedway Star Almanac. Pinegen Ltd. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0. 
  2. ^ Oxford Closure - Full Statement. British Speedway Promoters' Association (31 May 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
  3. ^ Oxford Saved. British Speedway Promoters' Association (9 June 2007). Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
  4. ^ Cheetahs to return to Premier League?. WorldSpeedway.com (Dec 1, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  5. ^ Oxford Speedway: Allen Trump tells why. WorldSpeedway.com (Dec 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
  6. ^ Major blow for Cheetahs. British Speedway Promoters' Association (Jan 24, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-11.

[edit] External links

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