For the Swedishly challenged, thanks to Google;
Gollob want to take gold
Tomasz Gollob is 38 years but has no plans to quit.
Third in 2008 and runner-up last year, maybe three-stage rocket Tomasz Gollob lift 2010
Polish speedway driver Tomasz Gollob is 38 years. But he is far from being calculated. He has several World Cup medals, it is only the noblest denomination missing. Perhaps 2010 years when he finally take World Cup gold.
- Third place 2008, second 2009 ... It is taken only one step, "said the Pole to the Speedway Racing.
From the Swedish horizon, you can get the idea that Speedway is huge in Poland.
So it is not. Speedway - zuzlow in Polish - is the fourth largest sports and running most of the smaller cities.
But most Poles know Tomasz Gollob. 38-year-old from the industrial city of Bydgoszcz has long dominated the Polish speedway scene.
Meeting by the River
We meet in the city centre, at a restaurant on the river Brda. As usual, he joined by his manager Tomasz Gaszynski.
Gollob understand English very well, but he talks less and prefer to formulate their response in Polish. He is relaxed and at times very funny.
- I started with the speedway when I was 16 years, but drove a motorcycle from an early age. Before I went over to the speedway, I was pretty good in motocross and motorcycle. I am still practicing motocross, "says Tomasz Gollob.
How much speedway train you? There is talk of running almost every day.
- No, the season I'm training someone once a week. But I mean constantly testing new technologies, motors and so on.
You may use the track in Bydgoszcz even though you are competing for Gorzow?
- Yes, how much I want. Which is where I started and it is the track in my hometown. I'm not running for the club is not just an economic issue. I had a need to change the environment, says Gollob.
In Sweden, in 2010 he makes his tenth season in Västervik, as highlighted by a commemorative event in the summer. In England, he drove to Ipswich, but it belongs to the past.
- I learned a lot over the years in England, especially on different tracks. Where I won everything possible to win, became the champion with the team and was the best driver on the cut list. There was nothing left to strive for. At the same time however, only the Grand Prix series and the leagues in Poland and Sweden. It can not be too many competitions. I want to be at home sometimes.
Are you married?
- No, but I live with the same woman for many years. Her name Brygida. We have a daughter. She is eleven years old and named Victoria.
Although Thomas Gollob completing 39 years in April, he has no thoughts of submitting the shoe to towed metal recovery.
- I run with ten-year plans and has just started a new ... Seriously, I think many drivers stop too soon. A guy like Greg Hancock should be able to hold on until he is 45 years. Least.
How do you see your competitors?
- I would not tell them I'm running against.
Drivers Hans Nielsen and Tony Rickardsson, then?
- The sky has many stars, but those two shone brighter than all others. Tony was the one I looked at the extra care. He always had the best stuff and trying to constantly improve themselves.
In terms of the team World Cup, World Junior Championships in Poland and the league is the world's leading speedway nation. Yet, you just got up an individual world champion - Jerzy Szczakiel 1973rd Why?
- Since the mid-1970s, we've been behind in the competition material. Zenon Plech was certainly able to win the World Cup, but then got the drivers from the western front fyrventilare ... It is only in recent years we have caught up and got as good material as any other.
Many believe that you could win the World Cup, but that you have been fragmented and unfocused.
- I disagree with that. It is a matter of inferior stuff.
What are you looking for världsmästarämne the next generation of Polish speedway rider?
- There are many, but I do not want to talk about my competitors.
The more want to talk about Tomasz Gollob. Do not count out veteran in this year's World Cup series. 38 years is no age at a speedway rider.
Ivan Mauger took his sixth and last world title 1979th Then he was 40th
- Third place 2008, second 2009 ... It is taken only one step, "said Tomasz Gollob.
Footnote: The interview published in full in the coming issue of Speedway Racing.
Tommy Rander