Magnus is revving up

Speedway rider Magnus Karlsson is planning a PR offensive in his bid to land improved sponsorship for the new season.

The 25-year-old is busy preparing for his campaign with the Parrys International Wolves, having landed a tough role in the main body of the team.

The Swede's contract has been restructured so that he will be on improved equipment from the very start of the campaign.

In addition, Karlsson is laying out around £3,000 of his own money to refurbish the machines which he will be using in Britain.But he's also looking for the kind of backing that would enable him to put together a new chassis and so have a third machine on track this year.

Progress has been made - particularly in Hull, the team for which Karlsson once rode and where his mechanic Paul Harvey is still based - but now the rider's support network is looking to make a breakthrough.

"Spares Unlimited, who backed him with fuel and oil last season," are back again," said Harvey.

"They've extended the deal this year to cover all his machine lubricants and also his bike covers.

"Derek Lockwood of Spares Unlimited has upped the ante this year.

"He's backed Magnus since 2004 and he's raised the bar each year. Perhaps next year I can get a couple of bikes off him!

"We also have an engineering firm in Hull, Alex Carr's, which does work for him for free.

"But 99 per cent of it is coming from Hull, which has no speedway team any more.

"They are still prepared to help out where they can, but there's got to be somebody out there in Wolverhampton who could benefit from the publicity."

Now a mailshot is being planned with photographs of the rider, details of his career achievements and information on personal appearances and publicity opportunities that can be obtained from backing him.

Details are available from Wolves supporter John Goddard on 07770 815358.

In any event Karlsson is raring for the action to start.

"He's confident, revved up," said Harvey. He can't wait for the season to start. So it's looking good from that side of things."