July 2006

[Genghis]

ALES IN HORROR CRASH

Wednesday, July 12, 2006
OXFORD 41 WOLVES 51 (Elite League A)

REPORT BY: Rob Peasley.

WEATHER: Sunny.
TRACK CONDITIONS: Grippy.
REFEREE: Paul Carrington.

It happened in little more than a blink of eye at 8.13pm on a sunny Wednesday night. One moment Ales Dryml was on the final bend of Heat 7, seemingly set for his second race victory of the night... the next moment, he was down after glancing off the air fence. A simple fall, seemingly caused by an engine failure, although that remained unconfirmed, because another split-second later, people would have far more urgent priorities. Second-placed Fredrik Lindgren was level with Dryml by the time he went down and was through with no problem. But the man in third, poor Ronnie Correy, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Directly behind Lindgren on the racetrack, an unsighted Correy wouldn't have seen Dryml getting into difficulties as he tried to avoid being sucked into the air fence on his stricken machine. But suddenly there was Dryml on the track directly in Correy's path, and Correy had no time whatsoever to avoid the fallen man. Correy's footrest hit Dryml's helmeted head with a mighty impact, with enough force to spin Dryml's whole body to 180 degrees. Correy ended in a heap just by the starting line.
It had all happened so quickly, it was hard to take in exactly what had happened. Those within the main complex turned their heads to one of the many monitors. Richard Watson, with many years experience, is one of the best track cameraman in the business, and caught the incident better than the professional Sky Sports cameramen also present. Within seconds, the action was being replayed throughout the complex. It was at this point that myself and many others saw the impact to Dryml's head and realised the seriousness of the situation.
Back down on the track, a groggy Ronnie Correy was getting to his feet; suffering from blurred vision, his night was over. But Dryml was still down and not moving, having been knocked out by the impact. The paramedics, who knew every second was vital, worked furiously.
Within a few minutes, Dryml was being placed into the ambulance. At this point, one of the watching Sky Sports cameras picked up the fact that he had regained consciousness, but in reality, Dryml was still a long way from well and he soon blacked out again.
Dryml was rushed to the John Radcliffe hospital for urgent further treatment and examination to his injuries, leaving a shell-shocked Oxford Stadium behind. The news that Dryml had been conscious when placed into the ambulance spread quickly and most of the fans in attendance, more through hope than anything else, convinced themselves that Dryml was going to be alright.
And then the show went on. The Oxford management and riders must have been all up for abandoning the meeting, but with TV cameras in town, that wasn't an option. Around twenty minutes after Dryml's crash, the meeting recommenced with Heat 8.
There had been little sign of the imminent cloud on the horizon for the opening six heats of this meeting. The Cheetahs, so keen to register their first win for five weeks, ripped into an eight-point lead and thoughts even started to turn towards the aggregate bonus point, with Oxford trailing by 16 points from the first leg.
Todd Wiltshire led all the way in HEAT 1, while Davey Watt shot around Peter Karlsson on the back straight to move into second place and get the Cheetahs off to the best possible start (5-1).
HEAT 2 unusually consisted of five laps, due to a mistake by the start marshal. The result was declared after four laps, with Magnus Karlsson leading home Lubos Tomicek, with Tomas Suchanek in third in a 4-2 to Wolves. Fourth-placed Eric Andersson did finish, but only after drifting wide and walloping the fence on the fourth bend of lap 3 (7-5).
Adam Skornicki gated in HEAT 3, while David Howe surged inside Fredrik Lindgren on the second bend to take third, nearly passing second-placed Ronnie Correy at the same time. Lindgren then closed in on Howe, but the erratic Swede then went wide and nearly fell on the second bend of the final lap, losing a lot of ground, before turning around on the final bend and heading back to the pits (11-7).
Ales Dryml just beat Billy Hamill out of turn two, but then pulled away to win HEAT 4. Meanwhile, it was another unhappy race for Andersson, who locked up on the second bend, losing third to Magnus Karlsson and then fell on the fourth bend (14-10).
Skornicki & Howe got out in front in HEAT 5, and although Peter Karlsson flew around Howe on the fourth turn, he could make no inroads on Skornicki's lead (18-12).
Oxford's lead was extended by a further two points in HEAT 6, with Wiltshire heading home Hamill, while Watt saw off an early challenge to beat Suchanek for third place (22-14).
HEAT 7 has already been well documented, and was awarded as a 5-1 to Wolverhampton following the crash (23-19).
Lindgren & Magnus Karlsson were first away in HEAT 8, then Eric Andersson nearly fell trying to go around Karlsson on the back straight. Watt moved into third and took up the chase of Karlsson, before shooting underneath Karlsson as the two riders completed the second lap (25-23).
Magnus Karlsson was back out again in HEAT 9, and again he flashed from the tapes, this time alongside Hamill. Third-placed Howe got into difficulties as he finished the first lap, impeding Skornicki, and Howe then pulled up on 2L3B, before collapsing onto the centre green as the race continued. It transpired that, in a freak incident, Howe had managed to catch one of the ruts that the riders dig by the startline to get off to a good start, with his steel shoe, and had twisted his knee =
as a result. Ouch!! Howe's further participation in the meeting was in doubt, and the dumbstruck Cheetahs fans were left wondering what could go wrong next. They didn't how long to find out! (26-28).
Todd Wiltshire looked well on course for his third heat win of the night in HEAT 10, after a great gate from the outside. However, his primary chain snapped as he completed two laps. Wiltshire avoided falling, but his race was over, as Lindgren & Suchanek took a somewhat fortunate 4-2 for Wolverhampton (28-32).
Oxford were left weak in HEAT 11 due to the absence of Ales Dryml. Magnus Karlsson gated, then Peter Karlsson shot around Andersson on the second bend, as the two brothers took a 5-1 (29-37).
Howe bravely came back out in HEAT 12, and although he gated, Magnus Karlsson flew around him down the back straight to take the lead. Andersson flew around Suchanek entering the third bend, but then went wide on the fourth turn, and Suchanek came back through. Andersson continued to chase, but to no avail (31-41).
Wiltshire was nominated as a tactical ride in HEAT 13, but was beaten from the tapes by Peter Karlsson, then Hamill won a shoulder-to-shoulder battle with Wiltshire around the opening bends to take second place. Wiltshire finished third - and his point was not doubled since he had not beaten an opposing rider. So Wolves won the match with two heats to spare - something that had looked highly unlikely in the opening stages of this meeting (32-46).
In HEAT 14, Tomicek & Skornicki (the latter on double points) hit the front, with Skornicki holding off an inside challenge from Lindgren on the third bend. However, Lindgren then switched to the outside and swept by both Skornicki & Tomicek on the third & fourth bends of lap 3, in a sensational move. Skornicki then got past Tomicek into second place, and nearly grabbed first place away from Lindgren on the line, as Oxford took a 5-3 heat advantage (37-49).
It had been a horrible night for the Cheetahs, but Wiltshire & Skornicki were determined to finish it on a high note in HEAT 15. Hamill gated, but Wiltshire cut under him on the second bend to take the lead, then Skornicki twice threatened to pass Hamill - on the outside on the back straight, then on the inside after a lap. Hamill held on - and the night finished with a 4-2 to Oxford (41-51).
So ended a traumatic evening for the Cheetahs. No-one blamed the Oxford riders for caving in, following Dryml's crash, especially when the full horror of the injuries sustained by Dryml were revealed in a Press Release the following day...

OXFORD 41
Todd Wiltshire 10 (5) (incl. 1-point tactical ride - point not doubled), Davey Watt 7+1 (4), David Howe 4 (4), Adam Skornicki 12 (5) (incl. 4-point tactical ride), Ales Dryml 3 (2), Lubos Tomicek 4+1 (4), Eric Andersson 1 (6).

WOLVERHAMPTON 51
Peter Karlsson 9 (4), Christian Hefenbrock (R/R), Ronnie Correy 4+1 (3), Fredrik Lindgren 12 (6), Billy Hamill 10+2 (5), Tomas Suchanek 3 (5), Magnus Karlsson 13+2 (7).

1: Wiltshire (O), Watt (O), P. Karlsson (W), Suchanek (W) (R/R), 59.30 (5-1).
2: M. Karlsson (W), Tomicek (O), Suchanek (W), Andersson (O), 61.75 (7-5).
3: Skornicki (O), Correy (W), Howe (O), Lindgren (W) (ret), 59.77 (11-7).
4: Dryml (O), Hamill (W), M. Karlsson (W), Andersson (O) (fell), 59.30 (14-10).
5: Skornicki (O), P. Karlsson (W), Howe (O), Correy (W) (R/R), 60.08 (18-12).
6: Wiltshire (O), Hamill (W), Watt (O), Suchanek (W), 59.37 (22-14).
7: Lindgren (W), Correy (W), Tomicek (O), Dryml (O) (fell, excluded), awarded - no time (23-19).
8: Lindgren (W) (R/R), Watt (O), M. Karlsson (W), Andersson (O), 59.96 (25-23).
9: M. Karlsson (W), Hamill (W), Skornicki (O), Howe (O) (ret), 60.38 (26-28)
10: Lindgren (W), Watt (O), Suchanek (W), Wiltshire (O) (ret), 60.89 (28-32).
11: P. Karlsson (W), M. Karlsson (W) (R/R), Andersson (O), Tomicek (O), 61.27 (29-37).
12: M. Karlsson (W), Howe (O), Suchanek (W), Andersson (O), 60.68 (31-41).
13: P. Karlsson (W), Hamill (W), Wiltshire (O) (TR), Andersson (O), 60.45 (32-46).
14: Lindgren (W), Skornicki (O) (TR), Tomicek (O), M. Karlsson (W), 61.39 (37-49).
15: Wiltshire (O), Hamill (W), Skornicki (O), Lindgren (W), 59.96 (41-51).

[Genghis]

CHEETAHS PUSH EAGLES CLOSE

Sunday, July 23, 2006
EASTBOURNE 50 OXFORD 45 (Elite League B)

REPORT BY: Rob Peasley

WEATHER: Hot and sunny.
TRACK CONDITIONS: Very, very dusty - although not quite so bad after an extended interval after Heat 8 to give the track a good soaking.
REFEREE: Peter Clarke.

Oxford put in their best away performance of the season at Arlington, despite the absence of the injured pair of Ales Dryml & Davey Watt. Twice Eastbourne built up a lead, but twice the Cheetahs pegged them back, due to shrewd use of the tactical ride rule. It leaves the bonus point up for grabs when the two sides meet in the return fixture at Cowley on Wednesday night.
Oliver Allen proved to be a highly capable guest for Watt, scoring 9 paid 10 (including a six-pointer in Heat 8), whilst rider replacement mustered six point from Dryml's scheduled rides.
HEAT 1 saw an eventful start to the afternoon's proceedings. A closely contested first bend saw Oliver Allen left with no room on the outside and he hit the deck, prompting referee Peter Clarke to stop the race and allow all 4 back for a re-start. Allen made a blinder of a gate in the re-run, to lead from David Norris, Todd Wiltshire & Edward Kennett, but again the referee pulled it back - probably because Allen may well have got something of a rolling start. Finally, at the third time of asking, Norris & Kennett gated and then combined to keep Wiltshire back in third place, in a opening maximum heat advantage to Eastbourne (5-1).
16 years old British rider Lewis Bridger won HEAT 2, after seeing off Lubos Tomicek on the opening bends of the race. Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Eric Andersson came under Cameron Woodward on the opening bend of lap 2, with Woodward nearly running into Andersson towards the end of the same lap, and the Eagle then dropping completely out of contention after nearly falling on the third lap (8-4).
HEAT 3 saw a slice of luck for the Eagles. Adam Skornicki & David Howe flew from the gate, but Skornicki lost control and did a 360 degree turn on the second bend before falling. The race was stopped, with Skornicki excluded for his somewhat premature donut (Adam, you're supposed to do them after you win the race, not during it!). In the re-run, Howe (leading at the time of the stoppage) missed the gate and then developed bike problems, finishing way behind the Eagles pair of Dean Barker and Adam Shields, as the Eagles took a somewhat fortunate 5-1 (13-5).
Nicki Pedersen gated ahead of the Oxford pair of Allen & Andersson in HEAT 4, but Andersson went wide on the second turn and dropped to a fourth, with a real battle for second place between Allen & Bridger then ensuing, with one rider taking the advantage and then the other. The decisive move proved to be an inside pass by Allen on the third bend of lap 2, moments later Bridger had fallen and was down on the track. With the race stopped and Bridger excluded, the referee awarded the race as a 3-3 - no doubt a relief to Allen, due out in the following race! (16-8).
Allen was the early leader of HEAT 5, but went a little too wide on the second bend and Barker raced inside him, with Wiltshire taking third from Shields at the same time. Allen locked up towards the end of lap 3, but only lost second to team-mate Wiltshire. Meanwhile, Shields was clearly struggling at the back and failed to complete the final lap. Shields had seemingly returned from injury too soon, and a couple of races later, it was announced that he had withdrawn from the meeting after aggravating a groin injury (19-11).
Skornicki trapped in HEAT 6, but left a gap on the his inside, and Kennett charged under him after a lap, with Norris then following through the gap on the opening bend of lap 2. The Eagles then team-rode, and already the home side had built up a 12-point lead (24-12).
It had been becoming increasingly dusty, and for long periods during HEAT 7, the riders disappeared from view! Pedersen led from the start-to-finish, with Howe & Skornicki packing the minor placings (27-15).
HEAT 8 - the last before the interval - turned the match on its head. Allen was nominated as a tactical ride and flew out of the gate alongside team-mate Andersson. Allen drifted a bit wide on the second turn, and Kennett, looking a route around the outside came a cropper. Meanwhile, Bridger switched to the inside, and raced past both Cheetahs, however he made contact with Andersson on the way past, who was deposited into the third bend fence. But the referee had already halted the race and excluded Kennett as the cause of the stoppage, so Bridger escaped punishment. Kennett was soon back on his feet, while it took Andersson just slightly longer. In the re-run, Bridger, now the lone Eastbourne representative, lost his cool. He clashed with Andersson coming out of the start and was left chasing the Oxford pair. He then turned too sharply entering the third bend and came off, forcing the referee to again stop the race, this time with Bridger's blue exclusion light coming on. Bridger left the track in something of a huff, and the race was awarded as a 8-0 to the Cheetahs - Oxford's biggest-ever advantage in a single race!! (27-23).
There was a long gap before HEAT 9 commenced, while the track was thoroughly watered, in order to keep the dust down and also to give the riders a bit more grip to go out there and race. Eventually, the riders did appear and it proved to be a good race for Oxford. Wiltshire (in for a rider replacement ride) gated in front of the Eastbourne pair, however Bridger then ran into the side of team-mate Barker entering the first turn, and Tomicek moved up from fourth to second. Bridger then impeded Barker a couple of times, before nearly falling in front of him on the fourth bend of lap 2. Barker did take third at this point, but Tomicek rode a sensible race to finish second, as Oxford levelled the scores with a 5-1. Barker showed his displeasure with Bridger following the race (28-28).
HEAT 10 saw Skornicki lead for just two bends, before Norris came powering around the outside. Skornicki had to fend off an inside challenge from Kennett at the same time, but Kennett stayed on Skornicki's tail. Kennett produced a lovely pass, going wide around the final two bends of lap 3, building up some speed, then cutting back to the inside to fly past Skornicki as the two riders entered the final lap. A great move, as the Norris-Kennett took a third 5-1 of the afternoon (33-29).
Pedersen was a tapes-to-flag victor in HEAT 11 ahead of Wiltshire, while Bridger rounded Allen on the second bend of lap 2 to take third (37-31). Barker won HEAT 12, and Bridger moved into second after getting inside Howe on the third & fourth bends of lap 1. Howe had his opportunities to hit back, but failed to take them as Eastbourne stretched their lead to 10 points with a 5-1 (42-32).
Wiltshire gated in HEAT 13, but with Norris on his inside & Pedersen on his outside, he didn't know which way to look, and he was passed on either side down the back straight. To Wiltshire's credit, he didn't give up the chase of Norris, but the result was another 5-1 to Eastbourne - their sixth of the evening (47-33).
Skornicki took a tactical ride in HEAT 14, but missed the gate. However, team-mate Andersson was leading the race, then a superb fourth bend from Skornicki took him inside both Woodward & Bridger into second place. Woodward got right on Skornicki's tail, and presented a dilemma for the Oxford boys, who needed to swap positions on the racetrack, but without allowing Woodward through. Andersson judged it absolutely perfectly, waiting until the final bend, then knocking off enough throttle to let Skornicki past, while still staying in front of Woodward, to ensure the 8-1. Meanwhile, Bridger, taking a seventh ride of the afternoon, pulled up from fourth place on the final lap (48-41).
With the unbeaten Pedersen & Norris out in HEAT 15, Eastbourne were hoping to close the match with a 5-1, however Todd Wiltshire had other ideas. Wiltshire gated, then held off everything Pedersen could throw at him. Pedersen tried inside & out and got inches away from the back straight fence at times, but Wiltshire would not budge. Pedersen tried one last effort up the inside coming off the final bend, but Wiltshire held on and finished his afternoon on a real high. Meanwhile, Andersson, who totally deserved his inclusion in the nominated heat, led Norris from the tapes, and although Norris got through on the second bend, a lap later Norris slowed and pulled out with an engine failure and Andersson took third (50-45).
So, a bit of a strange meeting that took two-and-a-hours to complete, was somewhat dull at times (due to the delays), but climaxed in two brilliant races in Heats 14 & 15. Todd Wiltshire took something of a battering during the World Cup, but certainly wasn't taking it easy here and his ride to defeat Nicki Pedersen was totally fantastic. And it was great to see Eric Andersson having a really good meeting from the No.7 berth - which should help bolster his confidence.
And rarely will our tactical rides be quite so effective - with the Cheetahs taking an 8-0 and an 8-1! In fact, every time an Oxford rider took the chequered flag first, we took a heat advantage.

EASTBOURNE 50
David Norris 10+2 (5), Edward Kennett 7+2 (4), Dean Barker 10 (4), Adam Shields 2+1 (4), Nicki Pedersen 14 (5), Cameron Woodward 1 (3), Lewis Bridger 6+1 (7).
OXFORD 45
Todd Wiltshire 12 (6), Oliver Allen 9+1 (5) (incl. 6-point tactical ride), David Howe 4 (5), Adam Skornicki 9+1 (5) (incl. 6-point tactical ride), Ales Dryml (R/R), Lubos Tomicek 4+1 (4), Eric Andersson 7+4 (5).

HEAT DETAILS:
1: (Re-run twice) Kennett (E), Norris (E), Wiltshire (O), Allen (O), 57.3 (5-1).
2: Bridger (E), Tomicek (O), Andersson (O), Woodward (E), 58.2 (8-4).
3: (Re-run) Barker (E), Shields (E), Howe (O), Skornicki (O) (fell, excluded), 57.0 (13-5).
4: Pedersen (E), Allen (O) (R/R), Andersson (O), Bridger (E) (fell, excluded), awarded - no time (16-8).
5: Barker (E), Wiltshire (O), Watt (O), Shields (E) (ret), 58.0 (19-11).
6: Norris (E), Kennett (E), Skornicki (O) (R/R), Tomicek (O), 58.7 (24-12).
7: Pedersen (E), Howe (O), Skornicki (O), Woodward (E), 58.6 (27-15).
8: Allen (O) (TR), Andersson (O), Bridger (E) (fell, excluded), Kennett (E) (fell, excluded), awarded - no time (27-23).
9: Wiltshire (O) (R/R), Tomicek (O), Barker (E), Bridger (E), 57.5 (28-28).
10: Norris (E), Kennett (E), Skornicki (O), Howe (O), 57.7 (33-29).
11: Pedersen (E), Wiltshire (O), Bridger (E), Allen (O), 57.6 (37-31).
12: Barker (E), Bridger (E), Howe (O), Tomicek (O), 58.7 (42-32).
13: Pedersen (E), Norris (E), Wiltshire (O), Howe (O) (R/R), 58.2 (47-33).
14: Skornicki (O) (TR), Andersson (O), Woodward (E), Bridger (E) (ret), 60.0 (48-41).
15: Wiltshire (O), Pedersen (E), Andersson (O), Norris (E) (ret), 58.4 (50-45).

[Genghis]

CHEETAHS TAKE ALL THREE POINTS

Wednesday, July 26, 2006
OXFORD 50 EASTBOURNE 42 (Elite League B)
Oxford win aggregate point by 95-92

REPORT BY: Rob Peasley

WEATHER: Very hot and humid - yuck!
TRACK CONDITIONS: Very good, given the extreme weather.
REFEREE: Dave Watters.

Oxford Cheetahs moved to just two points behind Arena Essex in the Elite League table, after not only defeating Eastbourne at Cowley, but also taking the aggregate bonus point from the Eagles. It was a hugely positive night at Sandy Lane, which also saw £1055 raised in a collection for the injured Ales Dryml.
Oxford ended up using No. 8 Stanislaw Burza in the No.2 berth, after Jason Lyons (the planned guest for Davey Watt) was blocked on a technicality - due to Lyons's 2004 Elite League average overriding his 2006 Premier League figure when it comes to EL guest bookings. However, Burza was sensational in his first-ever meeting at Oxford, scoring paid 8 from what is a difficult riding position.
HEAT 1 saw the Eagles get off to the perfect start. David Norris & Edward Kennett gated, with Todd Wiltshire trying to get inside Kennett on the back straight of lap 1. The Eagles then team-rode, and while Wiltshire got very close to Norris a couple of times, he was unable to get through (1-5).
Eric Andersson made a sharp start in HEAT 2, while Lubos Tomicek flew around Cameron Woodward on the fourth bend to join Andersson at the front. Lewis Bridger then got past his team-mate into third, but couldn't make up the ground on the Oxford pair and then fell on the final bend, allowing Woodward to take the point (6-6).
HEAT 3 saw Adam Skornicki as the early leader, but Dean Barker got inside him down the back straight. However, Skornicki charged back around the Eagle after a lap, and with Barker shifting across to try to block Skornicki, Howe came under Barker at the same point. Barker tried to get back around Howe down the back straight of lap 2, but Howe shut the door and the Cheetahs took a second successive 5-1 (11-7).
Nicki Pedersen gated in HEAT 4 from Eric Andersson. Andersson lifted on the second bend, while Tomicek swooped around the outside and moved from fourth to second. The Oxford reserves now filled the minor positions, but Bridger was on a mission, and swept around Andersson on the fourth bend of lap 2, as the Eagles took a 4-2 (13-11).
Skornicki & Howe were first away in HEAT 5, only for referee Dave Watters to deem it an unsatisfactory start, although the video replay didn't give much clue as to exactly what was wrong. Nevertheless, Skornicki & Howe repeated their fast gates in the re-run, with no challenge materialising from Norris or Kennett (18-12).
Pedersen won a shared HEAT 6 from Burza & Wiltshire (21-15), before Kennett (in as a rider replacement) battled around Skornicki (also in as a R/R!) on the back straight of the opening lap of HEAT 7, with Barker taking third ahead of Tomicek, as the Eagles reduced the deficit to four points (23-19).
Andersson & Burza took an impressive 5-1`in HEAT 8, with Bridger chasing hard but almost coming a cropper on the fourth bend of lap 3, and Kennett continuing his up-and-down night with a distant last (28-20).
Woodward was excluded for exceeding the two-minute time allowance in HEAT 9 and replaced by Bridger. Pedersen led the race, while Bridger stormed around Skornicki & Howe on the second bend to take second place. However, Howe got his approach to the third bend all wrong and took a heavy impact into the air fence, forcing a stoppage. Fortunately, Howe was soon back on his feet, while Skornicki had a real battle in the re-run to keep an ever-trying Bridger back in third and restrict the Eagles to a 4-2 (30-24).
Wiltshire had, by his own high standards, had a quiet meeting up until this stage, but produced a superb gate to lead HEAT 10 from tapes-to-flag, and even better, Burza withstood early pressure from Barker to take second. Bridger was somewhat wild at the back, and after a near fall, he pulled up on the final bend. Oxford headed into the interval with a 10-point lead (35-25).
When racing commenced in HEAT 11, Norris came out in the black-and-white helmet colour to signify a tactical ride, but Oxford had the perfect counter-move, with Wiltshire coming out as for a R/R ride. Wiltshire flew from the tapes to defeat Norris, while Tomicek gave Kennett an early scare, before Kennett consolidated his third position (38-30).
Howe was the winner of HEAT 12 ahead of Barker & Bridger to keep the gap at eight points (41-33). Howe came straight back out in HEAT 13, alongside Wiltshire. Wiltshire gated, while Howe also made a good getaway, only for Pedersen to come inside Howe on the second bend and squeeze Howe against the fence. Howe ended up in fourth place, while Pedersen survived a near fall on lap 2, as Wiltshire ended up as a very convincing winner from Pedersen & Norris, who seemed to be racing each other at times (44-36).
Barker put a disappointing evening behind him to lead HEAT 14 from Skornicki & Tomicek, but fourth-placed Bridger came down on the fourth bend of lap 2, and the race was stopped and awarded as a 3-3 (47-39).
Oxford had now won the meeting, but there was still the league bonus point to be decided in HEAT 15. Eastbourne needed a 5-1 to snatch the bonus point, but while Pedersen gated ahead of Wiltshire & Skornicki, Norris was left in last place. Norris came inside Skornicki down the back straight, but made contact on the way through and hurt himself. Norris pulled off the track on the third bend, while Skornicki had done well to stay on his machine, given the contact. The race continued and finished as a 3-3, and the Cheetahs had secured their first bonus point of the season. In the meantime, Norris received attention to what appeared to be his ankle, before he left the track (50-42).
So Oxford's first three-pointer of the 2006 season, and it was much deserved. The team was firing on all six cylinders, with each Cheetahs scoring paid six or more. Todd Wiltshire again lowered the colours of Nicki Pedersen, while Adam Skornicki was hugely consistent and matched Wiltshire's paid 14 tally. It was good to see David Howe racing with confidence and aggression again, and both reserves came up with vital points. As for Burza, well it didn't take him long to win over the Cowley crowd - and Skornicki is now not the only member of the Oxford squad who does donuts!
A great night, with Oxford returning to winning ways, an entertaining match, and the news that Ales Dryml's remarkable recovery continues, with Dryml now discharged from hospital.

OXFORD 50
Todd Wiltshire 13+1 (6), Stanislaw Burza 6+2 (4), David Howe 7+2 (5), Adam Skornicki 13+1 (6), Ales Dryml (R/R), Lubos Tomicek 5+2 (5), Eric Andersson 6 (4).
EASTBOURNE 42
David Norris 9+1 (5) (incl. 4-point tactical ride), Edward Kennett 7+1 (5), Dean Barker 8 (5), Adam Shields (R/R), Nicki Pedersen 13+1 (5), Cameron Woodward 1 (3), Lewis Bridger 4+1 (7).

HEAT DETAILS:
1: Kennett (E), Norris (E), Wiltshire (O), Burza (O), 60.01 (1-5).
2: Andersson (O), Tomicek (O), Woodward (E), Bridger (E) (fell), 60.84 (6-6).
3: Skornicki (O), Howe (O), Barker (E), Woodward (E) (R/R), 59.67 (11-7).
4: Pedersen (E), Tomicek (O) (R/R), Bridger (E), Andersson (O), 60.43 (13-11).
5: (Re-run) Skornicki (O), Howe (O), Norris (E), Kennett (E), 59.50 (18-12).
6: Pedersen (E), Burza (O), Wiltshire (O), Woodward (E), 59.56 (21-15).
7: Kennett (E) (R/R), Skornicki (O) (R/R), Barker (E), Tomicek (O), 60.02 (23-19).
8: Andersson (O), Burza (O), Bridger (E), Kennett (E), 61.04 (28-20).
9: (Re-run) Pedersen (E), Skornicki (O), Bridger (E), Howe (O) (fell, excluded), Woodward (excluded, two minutes), 60.81 (30-24).
10: Wiltshire (O), Burza (O), Barker (E), Bridger (E) (R/R) (ret), 60.20 (35-25).
11: Wiltshire (O) (R/R), Norris (E) (TR), Kennett (E), Tomicek (O), 60.14 (38-30).
12: Howe (O), Barker (E), Bridger (E), Andersson (O), 60.82 (41-33).
13: Wiltshire (O), Norris (E), Pedersen (E), Howe (O) (R/R), 59.98 (44-36).
14: Barker (E) (R/R), Skornicki (O), Tomicek (O), Bridger (E) (fell, excluded), awarded - no time (47-39).
15: Pedersen (E), Wiltshire (O), Skornicki (O), Norris (E) (ret), 61.28 (50-42).

[Genghis]

TODD IN FINE FORM IN FOXHALL

Thursday, July 27, 2006
IPSWICH 52 OXFORD 43 (Elite League B)

REPORT BY: Rob Peasley

WEATHER: Hot & humid, with the torrential showers that caused a postponement at Peterborough missing Foxhall Heath.
TRACK CONDITIONS: Good.
REFEREE: Peter Clarke.

Oxford Cheetahs have left themselves in with a chance of another bonus point, after losing by just nine points to Ipswich at Foxhall Heath. Todd Wiltshire put in a great display of riding, scoring 17 points, and some of his duels against Chris Louis & Mark Loram were well worth the admission fee.
Roadworks on the M25 plus an accident on the A12 caused traffic chaos, my own personal journey time from Oxford to Ipswich was in excess of four hours.
Oxford's new No.8, Stanislaw Burza, again replacing the injured Davey Watt, also found himself caught up in the traffic snarl-up, and with Burza not ready, Eric Andersson took his place in HEAT 1. Wiltshire made a rocket start from the inside, but then Kim Jansson fell on the first bend, and moments later, Chris Louis was also on the track, after receiving a shove from Eric Andersson. Referee Peter Clarke's decision was a restart with all four riders, which was curious since Jansson had fallen first and totally independent of any other rider. In the re-run, Wiltshire again gated, but soon had Louis on his tail. Louis closed in further & further, and nearly got around Wiltshire after 3 laps, but then cut to the inside and forced a route inside Wiltshire on the second bend of the final lap. With Jansson third, Ipswich took an early lead with a (4-2).
HEAT 2 looked all set to finish as a 5-1 to the Ippo reserves, Tobias Kroner & Carl Wilkinson, but Wilkinson lost control early on lap 3 and took a pearler into the air fence. Wilkinson was excluded from the re-run, which was delayed while the fence was fixed. Eventually the riders came back out, and Andersson led after a tightly contested first bend from Kroner & Lubos Tomicek. Kroner closed in, but Andersson held off everything that Kroner could throw at him, and Oxford levelled the scores with the resultant 4-2 (6-6).
Ipswich then took command of the match with two 5-1s - Robert Miskowiak & Chris Louis led David Howe & Adam Skornicki all the way in HEAT 3 (11-7), then Mark Loram & Kroner headed home Burza & Andersson in HEAT 4 (16-8).
The fast-starting Miskowiak was the early leader in HEAT 5, but Wiltshire battled under him on the back straight. Miskowiak then cut to the inside and charged back under Wiltshire at the completion of a lap, but Wiltshire was not finished and blasted back around Miskowiak on the second bend of lap 2, in what proved the decisive move. The Witches were then forced to settle for the 3-3, with Louis third behind Miskowiak (19-11).
Howe took a R/R ride in HEAT 6, and was a convincing winner of the race, ahead of Jansson & Miskowiak, who appeared to be racing each other! (22-14). Mark Loram won a processional HEAT 7 from Howe & Skornicki as the gap remained at 8 points (25-17).
Burza, having take a couple of riders to weigh up the Foxhall Heath track, came alive in HEAT 8. He blasted around Kroner on the second turn and then pulled away for an impressive race win. Meanwhile, Andersson got into trouble on the opening bends of the race, and Jansson, after totally missing the gate, came though to take third (28-20).
Louis led in HEAT 9, but Wiltshire was close behind, and Wiltshire built up his speed to blast inside Louis at the halfway point of the race. Louis attempted to hit back, but Wiltshire wasn't yielding and held on to win the race. With Miskowiak third, it meant a fifth successive shared race (31-23).
Loram & Jansson were first away in HEAT 10, but Howe clawed his way inside Jansson on the fourth bend. Race-leader Loram pulled ahead, but Howe, Jansson & Skornicki all stayed in close proximity to each other, although there was no further passing in a race that ended as a 4-2 to the Witches, who took a 10-point lead into the interval break (35-25).
Wiltshire was nominated as a tactical ride in HEAT 11, and he gated alongside Burza. With Oxford holding a 8-1, Loram became desperate, but misjudged his challenge on Burza and clattered into his opponent on the third bend. Both Loram & Burza came down, with the impact turning Burza around as he took a nasty fall off the high side of the bike into the air fence. Fortunately, he was soon back on his feet, but the bike had been damaged and he was forced to borrow a bike from Skornicki for the re-run, which involved three riders following Loram's exclusion. Burza & Wiltshire gated, but Burza left a gap on the inside on the second bend and Kroner came through. Thus the Cheetahs took a 7-2, rather than the 8-1 that looked a distinct possibility until Loram's rash move. But the gap was down to 5 points, to leave it all to play for in the remaining races (37-32).
Howe gated in HEAT 12, with team-mate Tomicek briefly in second place. However, Kroner flew past Tomicek on the opening bends, and indeed wasn't far from passing Howe at the end of the first lap, although Howe then pulled away to win the race. Meanwhile, Tomicek went too wide on the second bend of lap 2, and Miskowiak came through, with the race finishing as a 3-3 (40-35).
Wiltshire missed the gate in HEAT 13, and could make no impression on Loram & Jansson, who took a 5-1 for the Witches (45-36). Skornicki was then nominated as a TR in HEAT 14. Skornicki gated, but there was no stopping Louis, who blasted inside Skornicki on the fourth turn, on his way to winning the race and clinching the match for the Witches. Andersson took third, while Wilkinson finished the night without a point to his name after falling on the first bend (48-41).
HEAT 15 was classic Speedway. Wiltshire trapped from the outside gate, but was soon under attack from all directions by Louis & Loram. Twice Loram nearly passed him on the second bend, while Louis put him under attack on each lap on the fourth bend. Louis got level with Wiltshire at the end of the third lap, but Wiltshire still held him off. Just when it looked like Wiltshire might have done enough, Louis came up the inside on the final bend with one final challenge and passed Wiltshire. Louis, Wiltshire & Loram crossed the finishing line in quick succession, after a remarkable race (52-43).
So, another good away performance by the Cheetahs. I'm running out of superlatives for Todd Wiltshire, who was in brilliant form in this meeting, while he received good back-up from a revitalised David Howe, who impressed for a second successive night. "Stan The Man" Burza took a while to get going, but once he did he was flying, and had he not be brought down in Heat 11, he would have finished with a paid seven tally - he's got to be the best No. 8 in the Elite League! And plenty of effort from the other Cheetahs as well.
Oxford's busy spell continues next week, with a home match to Poole on Monday, and away matches at Arena Essex & Swindon on Wednesday & Thursday respectively. If the Cheetahs repeat their form of this week, then the team could be off the bottom of the Elite League table in a week's time.

IPSWICH 52
Piotr Protasiewicz (R/R), Kim Jansson 7+2 (5), Robert Miskowiak 9+2 (5), Chris Louis 14+2 (6), Mark Loram 13 (6), Carl Wilkinson 0 (3), Tobias Kroner 9+2 (5).

OXFORD 43
Todd Wiltshire 17 (6) (incl. 6-point tactical ride), Stanislaw Burza 5 (4), David Howe 11 (6), Adam Skornicki 5+1 (5) (incl. 4-point tactical ride), Ales Dryml (R/R), Lubos Tomicek 1 (4), Eric Andersson 4+1 (5).

HEAT DETAILS:
1: (Re-run) Louis (I) (R/R), Wiltshire (O), Jansson (I), Andersson (O), 60.8 (4-2).
2: (Re-run) Andersson (O), Kroner (I), Tomicek (O), Wilkinson (I) (fell, excluded), 61.5 (6-6).
3: Miskowiak (I), Louis (I), Howe (O), Skornicki (O), 60.7 (11-7).
4: Loram (I), Kroner (I), Burza (O) (R/R), Andersson (O), 61.0 (16-8).
5: Wiltshire (O), Miskowiak (I), Louis (I), Burza (O), 61.2 (19-11).
6: Howe (O) (R/R), Jansson (I), Miskowiak (I) (R/R), Tomicek (O), 61.4 (22-14).
7: Loram (I), Howe (O), Skornicki (O), Wilkinson (I), 61.2 (25-17).
8: Burza (O), Kroner (I), Jansson (I), Andersson (O), 62.0 (28-20).
9: Wiltshire (O) (R/R), Louis (I), Miskowiak (I), Tomicek (O), 61.0 (31-23).
10: Loram (I) (R/R), Howe (O), Jansson (I), Skornicki (O), 61.4 (35-25).
11: (Re-run) Wiltshire (O) (TR), Kroner (I), Burza (O), Loram (I) (fell, excluded), 62.2 (37-32).
12: Howe (O), Miskowiak (I), Kroner (I), Tomicek (O), 62.5 (40-35).
13: Loram (I), Jansson (I) (R/R), Wiltshire (O), Skornicki (O) (R/R), 62.1 (45-36).
14: Louis (I), Skornicki (O) (R/R), Andersson (O), Wilkinson (I) (fell), 62.1 (48-41).
15: Louis (I), Wiltshire (O), Loram (I), Howe (O), 61.8 (52-43).

[Genghis]

WATT IN SIZZLING RETURN, AS CHEETAHS EDGE OUT PIRATES IN THRILLER

Monday, July 31, 2006
OXFORD 49 POOLE 47 (Elite League B)

REPORT BY: Rob Peasley

WEATHER: Showers during the afternoon and early evening, fortunately ceasing just after 7.30pm. Then, half-an-hour after the completion of Heat 15, it bucketed down.
TRACK CONDITIONS: A bit heavy early on due to rain, then settled down nicely.
RIDER OF THE NIGHT: Davey Watt - what a great return from injury!
REFEREE: Chris Durno.

Oxford Cheetahs pulled level with Arena Essex in the Elite League table, after edging out Poole Pirates in a real humdinger of a Speedway match at Sandy Lane. The Cheetahs were in control for the majority of the match, holding a 12-point lead at one stage, but the Pirates hit back thanks to the tactical ride rule, and reduced the deficit to two points with two heats to go.
Heat 14 provided the main talking point of the match, with Poole's Jason Doyle excluded for taking a tumble after a clash with Oxford's Adam Skornicki, and referee Chris Durno calling the decision in Oxford's favour. Todd Wiltshire then won the final race to clinch a narrow victory for the Cheetahs in the presence of the Sky Sports cameras, on Aaron Lanney's home debut as Oxford team manager.
But what proved a fabulous night's entertainment nearly didn't get underway at all, as the rain threatened to ruin the party. However, almost on cue, the rain stopped around the time of the opening race, and then stayed away for the duration of the meeting!
Todd Wiltshire lifted at the start of HEAT 1, allowing Bjarne Pedersen to get out in front, and with Wiltshire & Watt packing the minor placings, the heat was shared. Meanwhile, fourth-placed Boyce pulled up at the end of lap 1, the start of an unhappy night for the former Cheetah (3-3).
Jonas Davidson & Jason Doyle (the latter replacing Shaun Tacey, out with a dead leg) were first away in HEAT 2, but Lubos Tomicek started to challenge on Doyle's inside. Doyle was making mistakes, and after being left a gap on the inside, Tomicek came through in forceful fashion on the first bend of lap 3. Doyle then made a complete hash of the final bend of lap 3, and Eric Andersson raced through the hole left on the inside to take third, as the scores remained level (6-6).
Krzysztof Kasprzak showed his liking of the Oxford track to win HEAT 3, but for the third successive race, the Oxford pair - this time Adam Skornicki and David Howe - packed second & third places (9-9).
HEAT 4 had to be halted after Antonio Lindback got a rolling start. In the re-run, Watt & Andersson gated, but Andersson went wide on the fourth bend and dropped behind Doyle & Lindback. However, Andersson showed great fight to move back inside Lindback on the back straight of lap 2, and although Lindback tried hard, he could find no way back into third place, as Andersson (despite a slight lock-up on the second bend of lap 4) resisted his challenge. Oxford moved into a lead they would not surrender (13-11).
Howe gated in HEAT 5 ahead of Pedersen & Boyce, with Skornicki poised on the outside. However, Pedersen pushed Skornicki wide coming out of the second bend, and Skornicki stayed in fourth place. But Boyce then lost control and straightened up, ending up in the fourth bend fence. The race was stopped with Boyce's exclusion. In the re-run, Howe led all the way, despite coming under increasing pressure from Pedersen as the race continued, as the Cheetahs took another 4-2 (17-13).
Watt won HEAT 6, with Wiltshire settling into second place ahead of Lindback to ensure the 5-1 to Oxford (22-14). Tomicek failed to beat the two-minute buzzer in HEAT 7 and was replaced by Andersson. Kasprzak led the race all the way, while Skornicki & Andersson combined to shut out Walasek on the opening bends, with a disinterested looking Walasek pulling out of the race on the third lap (25-17).
The opening lap of HEAT 8 was all action. Doyle gated, but Watt went around him on the second bend to take the lead. Boyce went around Tomicek on the back straight to move into third, but soon after, Tomicek had moved under Doyle on the entry to the third bend and he continued his run to also get inside Boyce further around the bend. However, Tomicek's momentum then took him wide on the fourth bend and he was fourth again! But not for long as the Pirates clashed coming out of the bend, lost momentum, and Tomicek got through into second again as the lap was completed! Fourth-placed Boyce then fell on the fourth bend of lap 2, and made no attempt to leave the track, despite it appearing to be a very minor fall. Referee Chris Dunro awarded the race as a 5-1 to the Cheetahs, and Oxford moved 12 points ahead (30-18).
Lindback was nominated as a tactical ride in HEAT 9, and again the race had to be brought back after a rolling start from the perpetually-creeping Swede. In the re-run, Lindback led all the way from Skornicki & Howe in a 6-3 to Poole (33-24).
Poole team manager Neil Middleditch appeared to drop a major clanger in not nominating Kasprzak for a tactical ride in HEAT 10. Watt, searching for a fourth successive win, was the early leader, but the flying Kasprzak went around him on the third turn. It soon became apparent that all was not well with Wiltshire's bike and he lost third to Walasek after two laps, before pulling up on the final lap. The Cheetahs headed into the interval 7 points in front (35-28).
Boyce led briefly in HEAT 11, but Wiltshire rounded him on the second bend. The race then settled down as a 3-3, but all credit to Tomicek, who never gave up chase of Pedersen (38-31).
HEAT 12 saw Davidsson gate ahead of Howe, while Kasprzak moved around Andersson on the back straight to take third. Howe forced his way under Davidsson on the third bend to take the lead, with Kasprzak losing power, allowing Andersson back into third, and Kasprzak pulled onto the centre green before the first lap was over, as Oxford took a 4-2 (42-33).
Kasprzak's engine failure was a blessing in disguise for the Pirates, as it allowed them to nominate Pedersen as a tactical ride in HEAT 13 and saved the blushes of Middleditch after his failure to nominate Kasprzak in Heat 10. Pedersen gated, then dealt with Wiltshire's outside run on the second turn. With Wiltshire pushed wide, Lindback came through into second and the resultant 8-1 to Poole pulled them right back into the meeting (43-41).
Davidsson came in to replace the struggling Walasek in HEAT 14 and flew through the tapes. He led from Tomicek, with Doyle third and Skornicki last. Skornicki moved briefly into third place on the third bend, but Doyle soon hit back and regained the position. Skornicki continued the chase, and drew level down the back straight of lap 2, before edging in front going into the third bend. But, it had got very tight and Doyle came tumbling down. With Doyle receiving treatment on the track, referee Chris Durno checked the camera angles afforded to him by Sky Sports, and decided that the young Australian was the cause of the stoppage. I thought he had made the right decision at the time, but after consulting the Sky coverage it became apparent that Skornicki had accidentally taken Doyle's leg away, causing him to fall. Nevertheless, the referee's verdict is final, and a shaken Doyle eventually left the track. In the re-run, Davidsson led all the way from Skornicki & Tomicek to set up a last heat-decider (46-44).
Oxford won the crucial coin toss for HEAT 15, and placed Wiltshire off gate 1. Wiltshire produced a beautiful start, and Pedersen was unable to overhaul him, while Watt pressured third-placed Lindback, but to no avail. The 3-3 gave the Cheetahs victory by just two points, as Wiltshire yet again became a last-heat hero for Oxford. Phew!!! (49-47).
So Poole became the first side to lose twice to Oxford in 2006. The Cheetahs were deserving winners - we were lucky with the referee's decision in Heat 14, but without the points gained from the tactical rides, the Pirates would not have got back into the match. But it all added up to a cracking meeting - it was just a shame a few more people weren't inside the stadium, due to the presence of the Sky cameras, the weather and a fatal accident on the A34.
Oxford were the far more balanced side, with just 4 last places from 15 heats of action, with all six riders coming up with crucial points at one point or another. In contrast, the Pirates were let down by poor performances from Boyce & Kasprzak.
Now, bring on Arena Essex!!

OXFORD 49
Todd Wiltshire 11+1 (6), Davey Watt 12+1 (6), David Howe 8+2 (5), Adam Skornicki 9 (5), Ales Dryml (R/R), Lubos Tomicek 5+2 (4), Eric Andersson 4+2 (4).
POOLE 47
Bjarne Pedersen 14+1 (5) (incl. 6-point tactical ride), Craig Boyce 2 (4), Krzysztof Kasprzak 9 (4), Grzegorz Walasek 1 (3), Antonio Lindback 10+2 (5) (incl. 6-point tactical ride), Jonas Davidsson 8 (5), Jason Doyle 3 (4).

HEAT DETAILS:
1: Pedersen (P), Wiltshire (O), Watt (O), Boyce (P) (ret), 60.09 (3-3).
2: Davidsson (P), Tomicek (O), Andersson (O), Doyle (P), 60.56 (6-6).
3: Kasprzak (P), Skornicki (O), Howe (O), Walasek (P), 61.07 (9-9).
4: (Re-run) Watt (O) (R/R), Doyle (P), Andersson (O), Lindback (P), 60.53 (13-11).
5: (Re-run) Howe (O), Pedersen (P), Skornicki (O), Boyce (P) (fell, excluded), 59.78 (17-13).
6: Watt (O), Wiltshire (O), Lindback (P), Davidsson (P), 60.00 (22-14).
7: Kasprzak (P), Skornicki (O) (R/R), Andersson (O), Walasek (P), Tomicek (O) (excluded, two minutes), 59.88 (25-17).
8: (Re-run) Watt (O), Tomicek (O), Doyle (P), Boyce (P) (fell, excluded), awarded - no time (30-18).
9: (Re-run) Lindback (P) (TR), Skornicki (O), Howe (O), Davidsson (P), 59.41 (33-24).
10: Kasprzak (P), Watt (O), Walasek (P), Wiltshire (O) (ret), 60.04 (35-28).
11: Wiltshire (O) (R/R), Boyce (P), Pedersen (P), Tomicek (O), 60.06 (38-31).
12: Howe (O), Davidsson (P), Andersson (O), Kasprzak (P) (ret), 60.81 (42-33).
13: Pedersen (P) (TR), Lindback (P), Wiltshire (O), Howe (O) (R/R), 60.26 (43-41).
14: (Re-run) Davidsson (P), Skornicki (O), Tomicek (O), Doyle (P) (fell, excluded), 60.53 (46-44).
15: Wiltshire (O), Pedersen (P), Lindback (P), Watt (O), 60.28 (49-47).