KS Torun
Encyclopedia
KS Toruń is a Polish speedway
team from Toruń
, Poland
. Formerly known as Apator Toruń (now official name is Unibax Toruń).
as early as 1930, where they raced in classes according to engine size. The sport, called "Dirt-track"
at the time, carried on in Toruń up until World War II
. Immediately after the war, racing resumed and the Toruń's Motorcycle Club (Toruński Klub Motocyklowy) was formed. The current speedway track in Toruń saw its first race in 1950 when races were move from Bema street to the then army stadium at ulica Broniewskiego. At the time, Zbigniew Raniszewski was Toruń's best rider. He died during a match in Vienna
in the mid-1950s.
From 1957 the speedway club operated under the Friends of Soldiers League (Liga Przyjaciół Żołnierza), and one year later Toruń officially raced under the league and won with Unia Leszno
. In the year 1959, the riders from Copernicus's birthplace appeared in the third league placing second to last (7th). In 1960 Toruń was placed in the second league, but the team placed last.
In 1962 was founded a speedway club named Stal Apator Toruń which started his activity in the second league. Important person for Toruń's speedway history, representing the team in the 1960s was Marian Rose - first coach, leading rider and one of the best Polish riders at the time. Under his care budded several talented riders, like Jan Ząbik, Janusz Plewiński, Roman Kościecha or Bogdan Szuluk. Marian Rose died after a crash during a match in Rzeszów
in 1970.
In 1976 the first league was rebuild into ten teams and Toruń receive a promotion. Since that year Toruń always performed in the prime polish league. In their first season in highest league they placed 8th. The team was supported by new riders, like Jerzy Kniaź from Stal Rzeszów
or a young talented fighter Kazimierz Araszewicz, who died in that year. First honours came in early 1980s. In 1983 Apator Toruń won their first medal in the league and in 1986 Toruń has reached the top and won their first Polish champion title, overtaking in the table their biggest opponent from neighbourhood, Polonia Bydgoszcz
, at the very end of the season. Best riders in those years were Wojciech Żabiałowicz, Eugeniusz Miastkowski, Grzegorz Śniegowski or Stanisław Miedziński. In the 1990s Apator Toruń was one of the best speedway teams in Poland, winning 7 medals in the league, included their second gold in 1990, won with a huge advantage over opponents, being the youngest team in the league. In the 1990s the team was represented by many brilliant riders, like world champion from Sweden Per Jonsson
and Jacek Krzyżaniak
, Mirosław Kowalik, Robert Sawina, Tomasz Bajerski
, Mark Loram
, Ryan Sullivan
or a future star Wiesław Jaguś. Next golden medal was awarded in year 2001, when Toruń has in the squad another Swedish world champion Tony Rickardsson
, and also Swedish U-21 world champion Andreas Jonsson
. Battle over Polish champion title in 2001 lasted to the ending heat of the final match against Atlas Wrocław. Toruń's riders won this heat 5-1 and the crowd became exalted. Two years later another champion, Jason Crump
came to Toruń, becoming a new team leader. Other great riders racing for Apator in new Millennium were: Piotr Protasiewicz
(brought from Bydgoszcz), Robert Kościecha
, Tomasz Chrzanowski
, Adrian Miedziński
and Karol Ząbik
.
The year 2006 was the beginning of the new era in Toruń's speedway. After Apator's resignation from sponsorship the team was bought by a trader Roman Karkosik and the name was changed to Unibax. After a silver in 2007 the team was pluged with new riders: Hans Andersen
and Chris Holder
. It results fourth golden medal in Toruń's speedway history after beating the title holders, Unia Leszno
, in Speedway Ekstraliga final in October 2008.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
team from Toruń
Torun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Formerly known as Apator Toruń (now official name is Unibax Toruń).
Team Information
- Full name: Klub Sportowy Toruń Unibax SA
- Address: 87-100 Toruń, ul. Pera Jonssona 7
- Home track:MotoArena im. Mariana Rose; ul. Pera Jonssona 7, Toruń
- Home arena capacity: 15500
Honours
- Golden Medal: 1986, 1990, 2001, 2008
- Silver Medal: 1995, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2009
- Bronze Medal: 1983, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2010
History
Speedway motorcycles roared in ToruńTorun
Toruń is an ancient city in northern Poland, on the Vistula River. Its population is more than 205,934 as of June 2009. Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The medieval old town of Toruń is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus....
as early as 1930, where they raced in classes according to engine size. The sport, called "Dirt-track"
Track racing
Track racing is a form of motorcycle racing where teams or individuals race opponents around an oval track. There are differing variants, with each variant racing on a different surface type....
at the time, carried on in Toruń up until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Immediately after the war, racing resumed and the Toruń's Motorcycle Club (Toruński Klub Motocyklowy) was formed. The current speedway track in Toruń saw its first race in 1950 when races were move from Bema street to the then army stadium at ulica Broniewskiego. At the time, Zbigniew Raniszewski was Toruń's best rider. He died during a match in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in the mid-1950s.
From 1957 the speedway club operated under the Friends of Soldiers League (Liga Przyjaciół Żołnierza), and one year later Toruń officially raced under the league and won with Unia Leszno
Unia Leszno
Unia Leszno are a motorcycle speedway team established in 1938 and based in Leszno, Poland. They compete in the Polish Ekstraliga and are the league champions from the 2010 Speedway Ekstraliga season. The team's home track is at the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium....
. In the year 1959, the riders from Copernicus's birthplace appeared in the third league placing second to last (7th). In 1960 Toruń was placed in the second league, but the team placed last.
In 1962 was founded a speedway club named Stal Apator Toruń which started his activity in the second league. Important person for Toruń's speedway history, representing the team in the 1960s was Marian Rose - first coach, leading rider and one of the best Polish riders at the time. Under his care budded several talented riders, like Jan Ząbik, Janusz Plewiński, Roman Kościecha or Bogdan Szuluk. Marian Rose died after a crash during a match in Rzeszów
Rzeszów
Rzeszów is a city in southeastern Poland with a population of 179,455 in 2010. It is located on both sides of the Wisłok River, in the heartland of the Sandomierska Valley...
in 1970.
In 1976 the first league was rebuild into ten teams and Toruń receive a promotion. Since that year Toruń always performed in the prime polish league. In their first season in highest league they placed 8th. The team was supported by new riders, like Jerzy Kniaź from Stal Rzeszów
Stal Rzeszów
Stal Rzeszów is a Polish football and speedway club based in Rzeszów, Poland.- Address :*ZKS STAL Rzeszów*ul.Hetmańska 69*35-078 Rzeszów*tel./fax 8548-048, 854-65-45, 854-15-92-Current squad :- See also :...
or a young talented fighter Kazimierz Araszewicz, who died in that year. First honours came in early 1980s. In 1983 Apator Toruń won their first medal in the league and in 1986 Toruń has reached the top and won their first Polish champion title, overtaking in the table their biggest opponent from neighbourhood, Polonia Bydgoszcz
Polonia Bydgoszcz
ŻKS Polonia Bydgoszcz is a Polish speedway team based in Bydgoszcz who currently race in the Speedway Ekstraliga . The club has won the Polish Speedway League Championship seven times, the latest in 2002, and European Team Championship three times, the latest in 2001.- Club history :* 1920 -...
, at the very end of the season. Best riders in those years were Wojciech Żabiałowicz, Eugeniusz Miastkowski, Grzegorz Śniegowski or Stanisław Miedziński. In the 1990s Apator Toruń was one of the best speedway teams in Poland, winning 7 medals in the league, included their second gold in 1990, won with a huge advantage over opponents, being the youngest team in the league. In the 1990s the team was represented by many brilliant riders, like world champion from Sweden Per Jonsson
Per Jonsson
Per Jonsson is a former speedway rider who won the Speedway World Championship in 1990, and finished runner-up in 1992.In 1985, his second season with the Reading Racers, the team won six major trophies...
and Jacek Krzyżaniak
Jacek Krzyzaniak
Jacek Krzyżaniak is a Polish international motorcycle speedway rider; former member of Poland national team who won silver medals at 1997 Speedway World Team Cup and 2001 Speedway World Cup...
, Mirosław Kowalik, Robert Sawina, Tomasz Bajerski
Tomasz Bajerski (speedway rider)
Tomasz Bajerski is an international motorcycle speedway rider who was riding in 2003 Speedway Grand Prix. He was won Team Polish Champion title in 2001 and Individual U-21 Polish Champion titles in 1993 and 1996....
, Mark Loram
Mark Loram
Mark Roysten Gregory Loram is a former British motorcycle speedway rider who started his career with the Hackney Kestrels in 1987. He is a former World Speedway Champion. In March 2007 Loram broke his thigh and dislocated his arm whilst riding in the opening fixture of the British Elite League...
, Ryan Sullivan
Ryan Sullivan
Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan Ryan Geoffrey Sullivan (born 20 January 1975, in Fitzroy, Victoria (a suburb of Melbourne) is an Australian international speedway rider.-Early years:...
or a future star Wiesław Jaguś. Next golden medal was awarded in year 2001, when Toruń has in the squad another Swedish world champion Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson is a retired Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He is widely acknowledged as being the most successful speedway rider of the current era, having won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. He has two daughters, Michelle and Natalie with his wife Anna...
, and also Swedish U-21 world champion Andreas Jonsson
Andreas Jonsson
Andreas Karl Rune Jonsson is an international motorcycle speedway rider who was a member of the Sweden speedway team that won the World Cup in 2003 and 2004.- Career summary :...
. Battle over Polish champion title in 2001 lasted to the ending heat of the final match against Atlas Wrocław. Toruń's riders won this heat 5-1 and the crowd became exalted. Two years later another champion, Jason Crump
Jason Crump
Jason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
came to Toruń, becoming a new team leader. Other great riders racing for Apator in new Millennium were: Piotr Protasiewicz
Piotr Protasiewicz
Piotr Protasiewicz is a Polish international speedway rider. He has ridden for the Polish national team in the Speedway World Cup in 1996 and 2005. He was also World U-21 Champion in 1996....
(brought from Bydgoszcz), Robert Kościecha
Robert Kosciecha
Robert Kościecha is a Polish speedway rider has won 2005 European Pairs Speedway Champion title.His father Roman was speedway rider also....
, Tomasz Chrzanowski
Tomasz Chrzanowski
Tomasz Chrzanowski is a Polish motorcycle speedway rider and has represented the Polish national team.- Speedway Grand Prix results :- World Championships :...
, Adrian Miedziński
Adrian Miedzinski
Adrian Miedziński is a Polish motorcycle speedway rider has won Team Under-21 World Champion and Individual Under-21 Polish Champion titles.His father, Stanisław Miedziński was also a speedway rider....
and Karol Ząbik
Karol Zabik
Karol Ząbik is a Polish speedway rider who has won World, European and Polish Under-21 titles and has ridden for the Polish national junior team....
.
The year 2006 was the beginning of the new era in Toruń's speedway. After Apator's resignation from sponsorship the team was bought by a trader Roman Karkosik and the name was changed to Unibax. After a silver in 2007 the team was pluged with new riders: Hans Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen
Hans Nørgaard Andersen is a motorcycle speedway rider and captain of the Denmark speedway team that won the Speedway World Cup in 2006 and 2008.- Career summary :...
and Chris Holder
Chris Holder
Chris Holder is a speedway rider currently riding for the Poole Pirates in the British Elite League. He became the Australian Individual Speedway Champion in 2008 and followed up with wins in 2010 and 2011 as well as winning the Australian Under-21 Championship in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008...
. It results fourth golden medal in Toruń's speedway history after beating the title holders, Unia Leszno
Unia Leszno
Unia Leszno are a motorcycle speedway team established in 1938 and based in Leszno, Poland. They compete in the Polish Ekstraliga and are the league champions from the 2010 Speedway Ekstraliga season. The team's home track is at the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium....
, in Speedway Ekstraliga final in October 2008.