SMEKTALA EXTENDS VASTERVIK STAY

Polish racer Bartosz Smektala has extended his stay at “second home” Vastervik into 2023.

The former FIM Speedway Under-21 world champion first joined the coastal club in 2018, missing only the 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Smektala, who averaged 2.041 points per race for the club this season, is set to team up with triple world champion Tai Woffinden and club boss Morgan Andersson, who is also Swedish national coach.

The club finished third in the main Bauhaus Elitserien standings, but exited the play-offs at the quarter finals, losing to Rospiggarna.

Smektala hopes to make up for that next season as he returns to the club which has become his home in Sweden. He told the Vastervik official website: “It is a great joy to continue at the club and it feels like Vastervik is my second home.

“I enjoy the club, which is very well organised, and I feel the cooperation with Morgan has meant a lot in my career and we work excellently together.

“This year’s season was good to begin with but unfortunately, we lacked form in the team during the last part of the season when the medals are awarded. I hope that next season will be the best during my years at the club so that we can challenge for the championship.

“In conclusion, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the club for the always warm welcome you get when you join Vastervik.”

Andersson is pleased with how Smektala has progressed in Vastervik colours and is delighted to bring him back.

He said: “Getting Bartosz for 2023 was high on the wish list as he was very consistent during the year and increased his results, especially away from home where he had problems in the past with certain tracks. He is very professional, easy to work with and you feel that the club is close to his heart.”