Mikael Max To Retire

[Ghostwalker]

Speedway rider Mikael Max (formerly Karlsson, brother of Peter "PK" Karlsson and Magnus Karlsson) have decided that

tonight's meeting i Auburn will be his last laps as a professional speedway rider and that he will retire after the meeting.

 

He writes the following on his facebook page:

 

kväll i Auburn, USA gör jag mina sista varv på speedwaycykeln. Det har varit ett svårt beslut men jag känner att 27 år i Elitserien räcker.
Mitt beslut har inget att göra med de senaste regeländringarna inom sporten, jag hade bestämt mig innan.

Jag har tävlat sedan -85 och min kropp har tagit mycket stryk. Jag missade bl.a. SM-finalen i år som jag inte missat på 25 år.
Jag har levt ett fantastiskt liv med speedwayen men det är dags för mig att göra något annat.

Jag har genom mina år siktat högt och gett allt.
Har träffat och lärt känna många människor och fått många vänner inom sporten.
Jag är otroligt tacksam över alla sponsorer och personer som hjälpt mig genom åren.

Vill också passa på att tacka Västervik Speedway för årets säsong som slutade med allsvenskt guld och Dackarna som är föreningen närmast hjärtat där vi vann ett silver.

Men mest av allt vill jag tacka min familj, utan er hade det inte varit möjligt.

Tack alla.

 

https://www.facebook.com/mikaelmax1973/videos/985349671576474/

Edited October 7, 2016 by Ghostwalker

[Joe Beevers]

Both Karlssons have retired. Both great riders who deserved good testimonials and nice to see they made it through the sport unscathed.

 

Mikael was so good when he was young and I thought he would do big things but he followed a path similarly to Henrik Gustafsson more than Tony Rickardsson. World class but not worlds best but still an excellent career like brother Peter.

[Trees]

Have very much enjoyed watching both Mikael and Peter race over the years, wish them both a fantastic retirement from our great sport.

[BWitcher]

In a week filled with utter joy for Wolves fans as we clinched the Elite League crown it is tinged with sadness as first PK retired and now Mikael.

 

It should not be forgotten just what a great rider for Wolves Mikael was, right from his debut in 1993 at Dudley Wood. He was inspirational in the double winning season of 1996 and who can forget his match winning ride at Eastbourne in the 2002 play off final.

 

As Joe Beevers says, when he first came onto the scene he looked a World Champion in the making. I remember seeing him as a 16 year old in the Swedish League on Screensport and he was brilliant.

 

He was slowly making his way towards the top of the sport, reaching World No 5 before suffering a nasty crash in Australia which really knocked him back. He returned, but wasn't quite the same as before.. eventually a serious thigh injury curtailed his career in England.

 

Both brothers have provided myself and other Wolves fans with countless memories over the years and I wish them all the best in their retirement.

 

Wolves Legends.

[The White Knight]

Have very much enjoyed watching both Mikael and Peter race over the years, wish them both a fantastic retirement from our great sport.

Well said Trees - I couldn't agree more.

[screm]

Both Karlssons have retired. Both great riders who deserved good testimonials and nice to see they made it through the sport unscathed.

 

Mikael was so good when he was young and I thought he would do big things but he followed a path similarly to Henrik Gustafsson more than Tony Rickardsson. World class but not worlds best but still an excellent career like brother Peter.

 

Peter Karlsson said the other night that Wednesday would be last appearance in a Wolves race jacket, I am not sure that meant a complete retirement from all speedway, though if it was what an end to finish your career with a great performance and winning the EL.

[BWitcher]

 

Peter Karlsson said the other night that Wednesday would be last appearance in a Wolves race jacket, I am not sure that meant a complete retirement from all speedway, though if it was what an end to finish your career with a great performance and winning the EL.

 

Speaking to PK after the meeting he was non-committal over riding in Sweden next year.. he will see over the winter, but I get the impression that he won't.

[R87]

Have to say I'm glad Mikael never rode for Wolves again after his 2005 crash. Always feel it was good to remember him as the rider he was, not a shadow.

 

On his day a very classy rider and was instrumental in us winning the double in 96 and then the play off final in 2002. Never forget his bruising debut at Cradley in 93 either

Edited October 10, 2016 by mb1990

[Fourentee]

Both great riders who deserved good testimonials and nice to see they made it through the sport unscathed.

 

Well, give or take the odd big metal pin in the thigh for Mikael, but I know what you mean. Relatively unscathed for such a dangerous sport. From memory I think the pin might have been 46cm. I once asked him over the phone if the pin really was 46cm, and fully deserved the deadpan response: "I don't know (pause)....I've never measured it."