OXFORD speedway promoter Steve Purchase is not convinced the new Golden Double tactical is so golden, but he admits it's an interesting innovation.

Sandy Lane patrons got their first sight of the substitution-with-a-difference in Cheetahs' 45-45 draw with Kings Lynn in the Craven Shield last Friday.

The Stars' Leigh Adams had to start 15 yards back, and whatever he scored counted double.

But after teammate Robbie Kessler shot out to win the race, Adams came up against Cheetahs duo Jan Staechmann and Alun Rossiter who team-rode superbly to keep him at bay.

Purchase said: "The Golden Double is a nice idea but it's better at some tracks than at others. Unless you create a track with some form of home advantage and then the home team throw in the Golden Double, I'm not sure it's going to work.

"A 15-yard handicap is a lot to make up. When we raced at Wolves, Peter Karlsson came in and tore through the field, but that was easier at their track.

"The idea of the Golden Double was passed at the BSPA Conference to try and encourage some more passing and entertainment. I'm sure we'll use it again, but we don't really have heatleader power with a world championship superstar, we have a more solid one to seven, so it's harder for us to make it work." Cheetahs, who felt they were robbed of another home victory against Kings Lynn when Steve Johnston appeared harshly excluded in the last heat, will have to work hard to maintain their unbeaten Cowley record when Wolves return tomorrow.

"It's going to be very tough," Purchase said.

"We won on their track but a lot of teams have strengthened up after the start of the season and there are a few of our riders who will have to do quite a bit better than they did last Friday if we are to come away with a win."

Story date: Thursday 20 May

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.