Skipper Craig Cook and Troy Batchelor will represent Workington Comets in the 2024 Championship Pairs at Oxford on Friday August 16 (7.30pm).
All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are competing in a meeting which is always one of the most popular of the season, taking place less than 24 hours before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.
Glasgow are the defending Pairs champions and the Tigers will once again be represented by Chris Harris, who clinched the silverware last year alongside Benjamin Basso with some spectacular racing and team-riding in the closing stages.
This time around Harris expects to be partnered by Steve Worrall, who hopes to be back racing by that date after having to take time out due to illness.
Last year’s runners-up Redcar, who won the title at Cowley in 2022, are once again represented by Charles Wright and Danny King, whilst 2023 semi-finalists Poole are also unchanged with Richard Lawson combining with Ben Cook.
Hosts Oxford were beaten semi-finalists last season but with skipper Scott Nicholls joining Sam Masters in the line-up, they will be strongly fancied for home success.
As well as the Workington current pairing, and Redcar’s Charles Wright, both Richard Lawson (in the Poole line-up) and Kyle Howarth (competing for Scunthorpe) are other former Comets riders taking part.
The meeting format sees all nine pairs competing over an 18-race schedule, with each pairing having four rides.
Points scoring is 4-3-2-0 and after Heat 18 the top four scorers progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each semi contesting the Final.
Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45pm to 6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.
- PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker & Dan Thompson
- BERWICK: Lewis Kerr & Drew Kemp
- GLASGOW: Chris Harris & Steve Worrall (TBC)
- REDCAR: Charles Wright & Danny King
- EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering & Justin Sedgmen
- WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor & Craig Cook
- SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft & Kyle Howarth
- POOLE: Richard Lawson & Ben Cook
- OXFORD: Scott Nicholls & Sam Masters
