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Speedway: Rickardsson is ready to roar

From the archive, first published Thursday 2nd Mar 2006.

SIX-TIMES world champion Tony Rickardsson has vowed to give his all for the new-born Oxford Cheetahs when they take on arch rivals Swindon Robins in a season's-opening derby challenge on Wednesday, March 15.

I caught up with the record-equalling world champion - he shares the accolade with Ivan Mauger - during a break as he tested a Porsche car at Silverstone.

"It's a new challenge at Oxford, absolutely," he said. "I have a lot of things in the pipeline at the moment and, although I am looking forward to starting the season, I am having to focus on both two and four wheels."

He has not always been the silky-smooth Swede at Sandy Lane, but he added: "It's a track that I have always liked, but have not always been successful at, so I have to work on it.

"It's not for a long period, so I must make a good start and make an impact and the fans remember my time here."

Rickardsson revealed that Oxford were not the only club chasing him for a six-week stint, a similar spell to the one he served with Arena Essex at the start of last year, before concentrating on the Grand Prix series.

"I spoke to several clubs before opting for Oxford," he added.

"Now, obviously, I want to win as many races as I can for the team and also give the benefit of my experience to the younger members.

"As for meeting Swindon in the opening meeting, I have no problems with local derbies."

Was he still hungry for another world title, which would make him the all- time record holder?

"Obviously, I would like to win another title, but breaking records will not be on my mind," he said.

"As always I shall try and win as many races as I can with my main aim to be world champion again. Just because I have won it six times, means I can think, hey, I just have to go out and ride.

"I have worked hard all through my career and will continue to give it everything I've got.

"It's the reason where I am today. There's no dramatic change, it will be pretty much the same preparation."

Although he gets the buzz every time a Grand Prix comes around, Cardiff is his favourite venue.

He plans to retire at the end of the season to go into car racing, and is setting up a team in Sweden, having been training all winter with Porsche.

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