GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs face what looks a near impossible task when they take on unbeaten Ipswich in the Elite League at their Foxhall Stadium fortress tonight.

The Witches, boasting three of the world's top five riders, are setting their sights on re-writing the record books and the target they are chasing is Oxford's all-time record of 18 straight league victories in 1986.

They have already smashed one long-standing best ever sequence with their flying start to the season.

They made it 15 wins out of 15 - six in the KO Cup and nine in the Elite League - with their win at Eastbourne on Saturday. They need to win their next ten Elite League outings if they are to lower Cheetahs record.

In contrast, Oxford have yet to get off the mark in the league and their task tonight is formidable.

Steve Johnston and Lawrence Hare will be returning to a track they know so well.

But even with a fit and fighting Jason Crump, it looks a hopeless task against the likes of grand prix winner Tony Rickardsson, British champion Chris Louis and Polish champion Tomasz Gollob.

Ipswich: Louis, Nicholls, Rickardsson, Gollob, Clouting, Svab.

Oxford: Crump, Staechmann, Johnston, Hurry, Schofield, Hare.

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