TODD Wiltshire, who made such a big impact on the Gresham Oxford Cheetahs speedweay team last season, will be returning again this year.

The Aussie has agreed terms with promoter Steve Purchase and now joins fellow Australian Steve Johnston in this year's line-up.

Wiltshire, a former world No 2 when he finished runner-up to Per Jonsson at Bradford in 1990, appears back to that form after spending almost two years out of the sport with spinal injuries.

Purchase snapped him up from the German League last season and he didn't disappoint. He has carried on in good form in his homeland by finishing third behind Jason Crump and Leigh Adams in the International Speedway Masters Series.

Cheetahs' chief also confirmed that deals have been offered to Jan Steachmann, Lawrence Hare and Paul Hurry. If all are successful it means that the main body of last year's team will be at Cowley again this season.

It still leaves two vacancies to fill in the side at No 1 and No 7. With only around ten points to play with, the likes of Billy Hamill and Leigh Adams surely cannot be considered. It's more likely that Poole outcast Craig Boyce, a former Cheetah, could be favourite, with another former Oxford man Mark Lemon, not out of the reckoning.

Former Oxford star Simon Wigg has promised a fun day out on the occasion of his farewell meeting at the Stadium on Sunday, March 28.

The 'Blond Bomber' will be organising the day himself and said: "I'm calling it the Big Day Out, because that is what it is going to be."

It will take place on Sunday. March 28 with the Gates open at 3pm with entertainment for the whole family prior to the main speedway meeting at 6.30pm.

Meanwhile, there will be another fans forum at the Stadium on Friday, February 26 (7.30pm). A meeeting for all track staff will follow and those who can't make the meeting should contact Richard Palmer on 0802 716623.

There are also a few track vacancies and Palmer is the man to contact.

Hurry and Staechmann are in action at Sunday's Telford Indoor Ice Spectacular. Transport has been arranged and Hilary Peasley on 01993 812271 will be pleased to hear from anyone who wants to travel.

Story date: Thursday 11 February

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