Peter Karlsson (speedway rider)

Peter Gunnar Karlsson (born 18 December 1969)[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider from Sweden, who was twice Swedish champion and a three times World Cup winner.[2][3]

Not to be confused with Peter Ingvar Karlsson.
Peter Karlsson
Born (1969-12-18) 18 December 1969
Gullspång, Sweden
NicknamePK
NationalitySwedish
Career history
Sweden
1983-1999, 2011-2016Örnarna
1999-2003Kaparna
2004, 2008-2010Dackarna
2013–2015Smederna
2016Lejonen
Great Britain
1990, 1992-1997, 1999, 2002-2005,
2006-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016		Wolverhampton Wolves
2000, 2005Peterborough Panthers
2001King's Lynn Stars
2001, 2010Belle Vue Aces
2012-2014Lakeside Hammers
Poland
1991Bydgoszcz
1996-1997, 2001Piła
1998, 2002Rybni
1999-2000Toruń
2003Tarnów
2004TŻ Lublin
2005-2007Ostrów
2008Gorzów
Individual honours
1989, 1991Swedish Champion
2000GP Challenge
1989Nordic Under-21 Champion
Team honours
2000, 2003, 2004Speedway World Cup
1996Premier League
2002, 2009, 2016Elite League
1996Premier League KO Cup winner
1992, 1997Premiership Winner
1992Gold Cup Winner
1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2007Swedish Elitserien Champion
1992, 1996Swedish Pairs Champion

Career

Karlsson first rode for Wolverhampton Wolves in Britain during the 1990 season.[4]

He won the Swedish Pairs Championship twice with brother Mikael Max, in 1992 and 1996 and was the Swedish Individual Champion in 1989 and 1991.

In October 2000, during the Speedway Grand Prix Qualification he won the GP Challenge, which ensured that he claimed a permanent slot for the 2001 Grand Prix.[5]

He is a legend at parent club Wolverhampton where he helped them win the 2009 Elite League title despite suffering with a broken collarbone two weeks prior to the play off final. Due to the average points limit, PK had to move on in 2010 and joined Belle Vue Aces on loan.

In 2016, PK wasn't originally in Wolverhampton's plans but after Mikel Beck pulled out of the team leaving the door open for PK to join back. He accepted and joined for the remainder of the season. He would later play a huge role as the 2016 team beat Belle Vue over 2 legs in the Elite League final. After the Belle Vue meeting he announced his retirement from British Speedway.

Family

His two younger brothers, Mikael Max and Magnus Karlsson were both motorcycle speedway riders. All three brothers represented Sweden in the 2007 Speedway World Cup, with Magnus riding at reserve.

Career Achievements

World Final Appearances

Speedway Grand Prix results
Year Position Points Best Finish Notes
1996 6th 62 2nd 2nd in German Grand Prix
1997 12th 37 6th
1998 17th 27 3rd 3rd in Swedish Grand Prix
1999 13th 45 6th
2000 15th 35 9th
2001 15th 39 5th Missed British Grand Prix through injury
2002 23rd 21 9th Rode in four Grand Prix out of ten
2003 21st 28 13th Missed Swedish Grand Prix through injury
2004 28th 7 One meeting as Swedish Grand Prix Wildcard

See also

References
  1. Oakes, P.(2006). Speedway Star Almanac. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0
  2. Montague, Trevor (2004). The A-Z of Sport. Little, Brown. p. 522. ISBN 0-316-72645-1.
  3. "Peter Gunnar Karlsson Szwecja". Polish Speedway Database. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. "2008 Rider index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. "HISTORICAL LIST OF RESULTS 1995-2013 Speedway Grand Prix - Qualifications". Speedway History. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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