Peter Karlsson

Peter Gunnar Karlsson (born 18 December 1969) is a Swedish former motorcycle speedway rider. He was twice Swedish champion and a three times World Cup winner. He earned 40 caps for the Sweden national speedway team.

Career Karlsson first rode for Wolverhampton Wolves in Britain during the 1990 season.

Karlsson 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, Karlsson won the GP Challenge, which ensured that he claimed a permanent slot for the 2001 Grand Prix.

Karlsson is regarded as 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, Karlsson had to move on in 2010 and joined Belle Vue Aces on loan. For the 2012 season, he signed for Lakeside Hammers, where he spent three seasons.

In 2016, Karlsson wasn't originally in Wolverhampton's plans but after Mikel Beck pulled out of the team leaving the door open for Karlsson 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 Karlsson's 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 Under-21 Finalist (1989, 1990) Swedish Champion (1989, 1991) World Finalist (1993) Speedway Grand Prix Rider (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001) Swedish GP Wildcard (1998, 2002, 2003) Polish GP Wildcard (2003) Speedway World Team Cup Champion (2000) Speedway World Cup Champion (2003, 2004) Slovenian GP Wildcard (2003) Czech GP Wildcard (2003) European GP Wildcard (2003) Norwegian GP Wildcard (2003) Scandinavian GP Wildcard (2004, 2007) German GP Wildcard (2007) Swedish Finalist (2008)

World Final Appearances 1993 - Pocking, Rottalstadion - 8th - 8pts

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