Karlsson junior seeks cash lift

The youngest of the three Swedish brothers endured a nightmare 2006 season with Wolves in which loss of form, equipment difficulties, injury and personal concerns - he and his partner became parents in October - all played their part.

Karlsson faces a big task next season - he will be one of the lowest averaged riders in the main body of an Elite League team.

But he is determined to prove his worth and repay the trust shown in him by the Parrys International Wolves promotion.

Karlsson, 25, endured a lean financial campaign in 2006, part of a vicious circle that prevented him reinvesting in equipment as he would have liked which in turn restricted his scoring.

But he has laid out heavily to refurbish bikes, has a restructured contract to help purchase equipment for the start of the season and is looking to top it all off with new sponsorship.

"Magnus has definitely got the ability," said Paul Harvey, his mechanic in Britain.

"But he needs to be set up on the right equipment.

"At the start of the season Magnus brought over his bikes that he used in Sweden. But the set-up over there is a lot different from over here.

"They just didn't work over here and he couldn't afford to buy new engines or anything last year."

As the youngest of three brothers, based in Sweden with his mechanic near Hull, Karlsson has struggled to find backing.

"Last year he only had Spares Unlimited, and they were my former employer," said Harvey.

"They covered him for fuel and oil, and that was a massive help.

"And engine tuner Graham Jones was a godsend. He has done his utmost for Magnus, but he can only work with what he's got."

Harvey maintains that Karlsson's late surge of scoring last year, when he was using an engine borrowed from brother Peter, shows the rider's true ability.

"I'm revamping his two bikes now and we've spent around £2,000 on shocks, cables, clutches etcetera," added Harvey.

"But he would like to run three bikes and we need a new rolling chassis.

"In return we can offer advertising on the two vans, on the bikes and the rider's kevlars (race suit). There's Sky coverage too, plus the pleasure of seeing your man do well."

Harvey is hoping to find about £2,500 of backing, but added: "Anything helps. It doesn't have to be someone walking in with a cheque book and saying: 'Here's a couple of grand.' It could be £50 or £100 or whatever."

* Anyone wanting further details can contact Harvey through supporter John Goddard on 07770 815358.

By Tim Hamblin