Oxford speedway fans will be relieved to hear they won't have to sweat through another winter wondering if they will see any action at Sandy Lane next year.

Steve Purchase's statement earlier in the week that Cheetahs will compete in the Elite League next term is great news, and now everyone can work towards getting Oxford speedway on the map.

The fact that Purchase is unlikely to play a part in next year's promotion, shouldn't be dismissed lightly, however. He may not have been around much this season, but his commitment to the side was always 100 per cent, and his financial backing has been invaluable.

He rescued Oxford from the scrapheap three years ago, but he has not been rewarded as such by his team and the crowds at Oxford.

Every promoter picks a team at the start of the season and much of the selection is dependant on what a track like Oxford can afford. Crowds of under 1,000 give little room to manoevre, but if they are around the 1,500 mark, the options are much greater. I don't agree with Steve's comments this week that he wasn't much good at the job. Speedway is just like football, when riders get on to the track, there is little the promoter, team manager or anyone else can do about it.

On paper, Oxford's current team should be doing better. The trouble is, they don't all perfom at the same time, as Cheetahs' lowly position will testify.

What may have persuaded Purchase to make the anouncement was the slight improvement in attendances this season. Average gates this year have reached the 1,073 mark, compared with 947 and 943 over the previous two years.

Purchase said: "It's a really positive increase considering the poor weather and Cheetahs' lowly league position. However, we are still some way off our target figure of 1,400."

Another surprise from Purchase is that he is looking to build a training track.

He said: "The idea is to promote youth and amateur racing as well as a 'have a go' facility for those brave or foolish enough to try.

"Ideally, I would like to see Oxford enter a team of junior riders in the Conference League.

"Richard Palmer, having been in charge of the youth side before, has agreed to co-ordinate activities. There is much work to be done including agreeing a venue and building the facility, which is no mean task."