THE 16-Lapper at Foxhall Stadium was called off last night after persistent rain fell around tea-time.Up until then everything was in order for the most gruelling race of the season, but by 5.

By Mike Bacon

THE 16-Lapper at Foxhall Stadium was called off last night after persistent rain fell around tea-time.

Up until then everything was in order for the most gruelling race of the season, but by 5.45pm the track had taken too much rain and the meeting was called off.

Whether it will be re-run or not remains to be seen, and is likely to depend on the outcome of tomorrow night's Craven Shield third leg clash at Eastbourne, between the Eagles, Witches and Wolverhampton.

Ipswich have a seven-point lead going into the final leg and, if they can hold on to it, it would mean another home meeting at Foxhall, as well as two away in a three-legged final.

Joonas Kylmakorpi guests in place of Piotr Protasiewicz at Arlington and Coventry's Chris Harris takes the place of Witches injured skipper Chris Louis.

Protasiewicz, currently in dispute with the club, is thinking of riding in Russia next season, which could mean he does not return to England at all in 2007.

Rumours coming out of Poland, suggest Protasiewicz has been approached to ride for one of Russia's top clubs and could well do so.

Meanwhile, Peterborough owner Colin Horton will be involved in a second Elite League club next season after joining Oxford as co-promoter.

Horton will link up with existing Cheetahs boss Aaron Lanney and has also pledged to re-introduce Conference League racing at Cowley.

Lanney said: “We've laid the foundations for the future and now with Colin here I can realise all of my aspirations for the club.”

Oxford finished second bottom of the Elite Leagues this season with Arena Essex bottom.

The Witches escaped the embarrassment of finishing just above both Oxford and Arena, but only on points difference.

Eastbourne finished third bottom, with the Witches in a lowly eighth, in the 11-strong league.