ProperSport Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 When I went to Fast Freddie's Testimonial at Monmore a couple of seasons back and the race jackets where being auctioned off at the end - only one I really wanted and that was the class rider/bloke that is PK , was lucky enough to win the jacket and get the man himself to sign it ( together with FF ) and it sits pride of place framed in the office next to my Rico Race Jacket ...top bloke who has been a true ambassador to British Speedway , will be sorely missed Highlight of the night on Wed was seeing PK saying his goodbye's ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourentee Posted October 7, 2016 Report Share Posted October 7, 2016 (edited) But behind that modest exterior , which was more like an insurance clerk than a Speedwáy rider. Funny you should mention that...CVS tells the tale that PK was scouted and invited over to England; they hadn't met at that time. CVS had forgotten which day he was coming; came the knock on the office door and there stood a tall, suited and bespectacled figure with a briefcase. CVS thought he was an insurance salesman. Edited October 10, 2016 by Fourentee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Always dreaded this day but he has had an amazing long career leaves with the respect of everyone in the sport and no rider could ask for more best wishes to the "Milky Bar Kid" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester Lion Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 We have been privileged to witness one of the greatest riders British league speedway has ever seen. From his early days at Wolves, when the geeky-looking young man wasn't afraid to mix it with established stars (ask Jason Lyons), to a smooth, polished racer and team man, PK always seemed to have exceptional anticipation and awareness of where his opponents were. He probably passed more opponents in his career than anyone except Les and Neil Collins. He is a thinker off the track too, with genuine concern for speedway as a product and those who pay to see it. A thoroughly nice man with time for everyone and a dry sense of humour. It saddens me that he didn't achieve more in the World Championship, but I'm sure it meant he wasn't holding anything back when he rode for his league teams. We always saw PK at his best. I couldn't make it to the play-off final, but I will definitely be there for the farewell meeting of a real legend. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Hammer Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 Loved PK's understated celebratory laps after a win; would just trundle around at a snails pace - never one for over exuberance 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damosuzuki Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 + best accent ever. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 + best accent ever. Yes. My wife used to love that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourentee Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 Loved PK's understated celebratory laps after a win; would just trundle around at a snails pace - never one for over exuberance When he got really excited he would sometimes raise his left hand just above the handlebars in acknowledgement of the crowd. Even his fist pump after winning that heat at Belle Vue in the play-off final only travelled about four inches. + best accent ever. The classic mix of Black Country and Swedish, a delight for the connoisseur! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 When he got really excited he would sometimes raise his left hand just above the handlebars in acknowledgement of the crowd. Even his fist pump after winning that heat at Belle Vue in the play-off final only travelled about four inches. The classic mix of Black Country and Swedish, a delight for the connoisseur! For special occasions he would remove his helmet on the home straight of the victory lap (or in this case usually a second victory lap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R87 Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 Just a few stats for PK Debut for Wolves at Belle Vue on 15th June 1990 Club record 584 appearances 5966 Points 405 Points 6371 Points all together 25 Full Maximums and 41 paid maxumums 4 League titles 1 KO Cup 2 Premierships 1 Elite Shield 1 Gold Cup The term legend is used far too easily these days, but Peter Karlsson is without doubt a legend at Monmore Green (no disrespect to the other clubs he rode for here). Most argue that Ermolenko or Olsen are the greatest riders in Wolves' history, and certainly they had more success in terms of individual racing, but Peter deserves his place up there with them. Maybe even above them, as he has had more team success at Wolves than any other rider. It really is the end of an era. 1990 was my first season, though I remember little about it. He is the last link to the clubs golden era of the early 1990s on the track. Fingers crossed he will get the send off from the club that he deserves. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourentee Posted October 10, 2016 Report Share Posted October 10, 2016 (edited) For special occasions he would remove his helmet on the home straight of the victory lap (or in this case usually a second victory lap) Yes, you're right. I've also seen him remove the helmet once or twice in the pits following heat 15 away defeats for Wolves and smash it into the bench. All the more startling for being such a largely undemonstrative man, but an indication of the passion bubbling beneath. Edit: Helmet off on the lap of honour at the Olympique last night. Edited October 12, 2016 by Fourentee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) I have often wondered if he had business interests/job outside the sport( I know he was in Tai's management crew for GP'S this year) or has he managed to make a living solely from s/way for all these yrs ? Edited October 11, 2016 by FAST GATER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted October 11, 2016 Report Share Posted October 11, 2016 For special occasions he would remove his helmet on the home straight of the victory lap (or in this case usually a second victory lap)Witcher where would you rate PK personally in your three special Wolves riders Sam, Tai,PK,??? he would be in there amongst the great Wolves riders of alltime Olsen,Sam, (ect). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INCOGNITO Posted October 15, 2016 Report Share Posted October 15, 2016 Every club has riders that will go down in history as a club legend and PK will be amongst a great bunch at Wolverhampton. From Ole Olsen, Finn Thomsen, Hans Nielsen, Sam Ermolenko, Ronnie Correy, Graham Jones, Mikael Karlsson-Max, Fredrik Lindgren, Adam Skornicki and now Tai Woffinden he is a hero at Monmore Green. He never had the image of a speedway rider and you'd never guess he could be so hard a rider when you spoke to him with his Nordic Black Country accent. His accent is pure Swedish and then mixed in the sentence is a true BC term like How Am Ya. He has scored more points than any other Wolves rider and more appearances than anyone else too. It's a shame he never quite reached the heights of others on the individual stage but he was more of a team player and showed that at Belle Vue in the second leg when Kyle Howarth appeared on his bike to gain a crucial second place. It says something about the calibre of the man when two of his main mechanics over the years have been former riders and team mates in Paul Hurry and Graham Jones. His farewell at Monmore Green in March is going to be a great meeting and possibly the biggest crowd at the Stadium for many a year to say goodbye to a true gentleman and model professional. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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