GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs speedway star Jason Crump has issued an apology to the Oxford fans after his outburst when he struck teammate Todd Wiltshire.

Crump said: "I wish to apologise to the Oxford fans, but I ride with a lot of passion and determination in my bid to be the best in the world. On that score, I'm no different to David Beckham."

The racing incident which led to the fracas happened in heat three in the meeting against Swindon on Friday and has left the Oxford No 1 sidelined for four-six weeks with torn ankle ligaments.

Contrary to what many fans thought, the real problem didn't happen when Crump hit the pits fence, but on the run to the bend.

Crump added: "I regret that I hit him, but it's inappropriate that he is still riding and I'm now out of action for at least a month. It doesn't call for what he did on the track. He definitely went over my foot.

"I have never hit anybody before in seven years of riding in the British League. He's not settled into the BL yet, whether he is under pressure or not I don't know, but the incident provoked me."

Crump, who went straight to the Radcliffe Hospital after the incident, had to wait two hours in which time he was given painkillers, but decided he could wait no longer, preferring to go to his local hospital where he was discharged at 1am.

Crump has had no contact with his Aussie teammate since the incident and will miss out on the final of England-Australia Test series at Wolverhampton tonight where Cheetahs' Steve Johnston and Wiltshire go for Australia and Paul Hurry for England.

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