Stadium decision is a lifeline for speedway

They are right that it should be kept for leisure use and to call for the current owners to allow speedway back.

Oxford Speedway has a proud history, winning many trophies and titles, which was recognised by the city with a civic reception when they won the top league.

The sport has brought many years of enjoyment, from 1949 until the doors were shut by the stadium’s owners in 2008.

This happened despite the reports that promoters still wanted to run a team in the 2009 league. Since then the stadium owners have shamefully chosen to remain silent when further attempts have been made to open up discussions.

Disgracefully, they have left everyone uncertain about the stadium’s future, while doing little to improve the facilities to make the stadium more viable.

The council’s message to the owners is clear, make a success of the venue and make it into a multi-purpose arena which includes speedway, a family sport enjoyed by all ages.

Speedway fans are a friendly lot, with supporters from opposing teams standing side by side on the terraces, where part of the enjoyment is the harmless banter that goes on between the heats.

Speedway is a good night out, free from violence and not expensive for a family, especially when the youngest go in free.

Speedway currently needs more British riders. If the Cowley track was used for training, before league racing returns, who knows we may even have a budding world champion living locally and a future Oxford star.

In these hard times of high unemployment it is as well to remember that a skilful rider can earn thousands racing here and abroad.

I have visited many tracks up and down the country and can honestly say that our track always produced the very best competitive racing.

The city council has given Oxford’s many speedway supporters a life-line and the hope that, with a good promoter, we will watch the Oxford Cheetahs in action again on their own track.

JOHN FRAY, London Road, Wheatley