Swedish Speedway Star Linus Sundström Secures his first Elite League Maximum
- Aug 16, 2012
Swedish hot-shoe Speedway racing rising star, Linus Sundström exploded onto the racing circuit in 2009, and the very next year he crowned his debut by qualifying for the elite FIM Speedway Grand Prix, which is the ultimate season ending goal for all Speedway competitors. This July, 2012, Sundström realized a new milestone in his young racing career when he secured his first full Elite League Maximum at the East of England Showground against Eastbourne. Sundström reeled off five straight wins to score a full maximum 15 points. The toughest challenge for him came in the fourth race when he had to beat a fiercely competitive Cameron Woodward, managing to squeeze by him on the 4th lap to lock up the victory.
"What a night it was for me," exclaimed Sundström. "I had been waiting for this for a long, long, time. I always knew I could manage this and over the past few weeks I've felt quicker and quicker. My team has been working really hard, and they have been cheering me on all the way. Hopefully this is many to come." With the first half of the season now in his rearview mirror, Sundström has some time for reflection on how to approach the second half of the season. Many hours have already been invested in the workshop, and working with various engine tuners in order to find the best setups and more consistent speed out on track. "We have had some ups and downs so far," admits Sundström. "We started off good, but had some troubles with speed and gating, but lately things have been working really well. We have made a few changes in the team and I think they are really positive for my career. They have been big steps and hopefully I'm moving in the right direction." Sundström Racing's Speedway Grand Prix qualification hopes for this year came to an end on 29th June in Vojens, Denmark, after Sundström finished 11th in the field. With the experience of Niels Kristian Iversen and Davey Watt in the lineup Sundström knew it was going to be difficult undertaking at best. Although he did manage to collect six points from his five rides, it wouldn't be enough. The K&N sponsored racer remains realistically optimistic however, choosing to draw only the positives from the overall experience. "We always knew it was going to be a tough day. With world class riders in the lineup, at this stage of the competition, you can't afford a bad race. When I look back at the series though, I'm the 5th youngest competitor to reach this stage, and I feel really happy about that. My aim is to make the Speedway Grand Prix Series next year, and I see no reason why I can't do that. It's been a tough couple of months for me and the team. It really tests the team's patience and determination, but we have come through the storm as the English say. We have made progress and I'm feeling back to my best. As you know confidence plays a massive role in speedway, so to feel good on the bike at this point is always a good start." Linus Sundström Racing's second half of the Sky Sports Elite League season kicks off August 13th when Peterborough goes up against Swindon. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
