Championship Pairs line up
Ben Barker and Dan Thompson will represent the Plymouth Gladiators at The Championship Pairs, which takes place at Oxford on Friday August the 16th (7.30pm)
All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are competing in a meeting which is always one of the most popular of the season, taking place less than 24 hours before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Glasgow are the defending Pairs champions and the Tigers will once again be represented by Chris Harris, who clinched the silverware last year alongside Benjamin Basso with some spectacular racing and team-riding in the closing stages.
This time around Harris expects to be partnered by Steve Worrall, who hopes to be back racing by that date after having to take time out due to illness.
Last year’s runners-up Redcar, who won the title at Cowley in 2022, are once again represented by Charles Wright and Danny King, whilst 2023 semi-finalists Poole are also unchanged with Richard Lawson combining with Ben Cook.
Hosts Oxford were beaten semi-finalists last season but with skipper Scott Nicholls joining Sam Masters in the line-up, they will be strongly fancied for home success.
The meeting format sees all nine pairs competing over an 18-race schedule, with each pairing having four rides.
Points scoring is 4-3-2-0 and after Heat 18 the top four scorers progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each semi contesting the Final.
Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45-6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.
Supporters are urged to purchase tickets in advance from https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/ , priced at adults £22, children (11-15) £5 and under-11s free. This link also provides car parking information.
PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker & Dan Thompson
BERWICK: Lewis Kerr & Drew Kemp
GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Steve Worrall (TBC)
REDCAR: Charles Wright & Danny King
EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering & Justin Sedgmen
WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor & Craig Cook
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft & Kyle Howarth
POOLE: Richard Lawson & Ben Cook
OXFORD: Scott Nicholls & Sam Masters
Image credit: Dan Westlake