HANS Nielsen, arguably Oxford Cheetahs' finest-ever speedway rider, lines up in the Simon Wigg Farwell Spectacular at Oxford Stadium on Sunday, March 28.

A delighted Wigg, a former teammate in Cheetahs' heady days of the 80s, said: "It's the news I have been waiting for. The Great Dane has agreed to come to Oxford where we both rode in Cheetahs' amazing triple winning team.

"Hans was the undisputed King of Cowley for ten years and it's great news that he has agreed to come back and ride for me. It will be more than just a speedway meeting and there's plenty of top stars still to be announced."

Wigg has been forced to quit all motorcycling activities after two epiletic fits. Married with two young children, the 34-year-old, who has won the world longtrack title five times, is not allowed to drive for 12 months and faces an uncertain future.

Meanwhile, Paul Hurry, who won the British Ice Open at Telford on Sunday, is a confirmed starter for Cheetahs in 1998 after agreeing terms with Steve Purchase.

Meanwhile, volunteers are required to get the track into shape for the new season. The man to contact is Richard Palmer on 0802 716623.

Story date: Thursday 18 February

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