Peter Karlsson (speedway rider) should not be confused with Peter Ingvar Karlsson.
| Peter Karlsson | |
| Nationality: | Swedish |
| Birth Date: | 18 December 1969 |
| Birth Place: | Gullspång, Sweden |
| Nickname: | PK |
| Career1: | Sweden |
| Career2: | Örnarna |
| Years2: | 1983-1999, 2011-2016 |
| Career3: | Kaparna |
| Years3: | 1999-2003 |
| Career4: | Dackarna |
| Years4: | 2004, 2008-2010 |
| Career5: | Vargarna |
| Years5: | 2012 |
| Career6: | Smederna |
| Years6: | 2013–2015 |
| Career7: | Lejonen |
| Years7: | 2016 |
| Career8: | Great Britain |
| Career9: | Wolverhampton Wolves |
| Years9: | 1990, 1992-1997, 1999, 2002-2005, 2006-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016 |
| Career10: | Peterborough Panthers |
| Years10: | 2000, 2005 |
| Career11: | King's Lynn Stars |
| Years11: | 2001 |
| Career12: | Belle Vue Aces |
| Years12: | 2001, 2010 |
| Career13: | Lakeside Hammers |
| Years13: | 2012-2014 |
| Career14: | Poland |
| Career15: | Bydgoszcz |
| Years15: | 1991 |
| Career16: | Piła |
| Years16: | 1996-1997, 2001 |
| Career17: | Rybni |
| Years17: | 1998, 2002 |
| Career18: | Toruń |
| Years18: | 1999-2000 |
| Career19: | Tarnów |
| Years19: | 2003 |
| Career20: | TŻ Lublin |
| Years20: | 2004 |
| Career21: | Ostrów |
| Years21: | 2005-2007 |
| Career22: | Gorzów |
| Years22: | 2008 |
| Indivhonour1: | Swedish Champion |
| Indivyear1: | 1989, 1991 |
| Indivhonour2: | GP Challenge |
| Indivyear2: | 2000 |
| Indivhonour3: | Nordic Under-21 Champion |
| Indivyear3: | 1989 |
| Teamhonour1: | Speedway World Cup |
| Teamyear1: | 2000, 2003, 2004 |
| Teamhonour2: | Premier League |
| Teamyear2: | 1996 |
| Teamhonour3: | Elite League |
| Teamyear3: | 2002, 2009, 2016 |
| Teamhonour4: | Premier League KO Cup winner |
| Teamyear4: | 1996 |
| Teamhonour5: | Premiership Winner |
| Teamyear5: | 1992, 1997 |
| Teamhonour6: | Gold Cup Winner |
| Teamyear6: | 1992 |
| Teamhonour7: | Swedish Elitserien Champion |
| Teamyear7: | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2007 |
| Teamhonour8: | Swedish Pairs Champion |
| Teamyear8: | 1992, 1996 |
Peter Gunnar Karlsson (born 18 December 1969)[1] is a Swedish former motorcycle speedway rider. He was twice Swedish champion and a three times World Cup winner.[2] [3] He earned 40 caps for the Sweden national speedway team.[4]
Karlsson first rode for Wolverhampton Wolves in Britain during the 1990 season.[5]
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.[6]
He is regarded as a legend at parent club Wolverhampton[7] 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. For the 2012 season he signed for Lakeside Hammers, where he spent three seasons.[8]
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.[9]
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.
| 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 |