Nobert: Panthers were always my first choice

POLISH star Norbert Kosciuch has revealed how Peterborough was always his first choice British club for the 2013 season.

The 28-year-old returns to the UK for his fourth successive season at the East of England Showground and admits he didn’t have to think twice when the winter call came from the Readypower Panthers bosses.

The Leszno born racer is also tipping the new-look Panthers side as serious play-off contenders and is also looking to further increase his own form both in the UK and in his other European league racing.

Kosciuch said: “I love riding for the Peterborough Panthers – they were always my first choice and have been since arriving in Britain three years ago.

“I can’t praise the club highly enough. I came here in 2010 with no British racing experience and since then everyone has looked after me so well. I now feel as part of my soul belongs to British speedway and in particular the Peterborough Panthers.

“The atmosphere at a Panthers match is incredible. The team spirit is brilliant, we are always highly-motivated and totally focussed on the job in hand. The Club is also extremely well organised – and everyone including riders and supporters should be proud of that.

“As my English is not the best it’s sometimes difficult to build really close friendships with some of the riders, but it’s never a problem to speak about speedway, tracks, set ups etc – everyone is always prepared to help each other.

“We are one team and we have one goal – and that is to win. That’s the most important thing of course and we’re all focussed into trying to achieve that, but we do find time to have some fun and jokes in the pits, too, which really helps to build up a good team-spirit.

“This season’s Panthers team has a bit of a new-look about it, but it looks well-balanced with every rider having plenty of potential and if we can avoid injuries I think we’ll do very well.

“It won’t be easy though as there are some other good-looking line-ups being put together. Poole look strong again with Chris Holder, Darcy Ward, Maciej Janowski and Robert Miskowiak, plus I think King’s Lynn and Swindon can also do very well. In addition to that Lakeside and Eastbourne will always be strong on their own tracks - but they may find it a little harder in win their away meetings.

“If I had to make a prediction I would say in no particular order the top four in the league will be: Peterborough, Poole, King’s Lynn and Lakeside.

“On a personal level I’m looking to have my best season yet. 2012 was an improved one for me, but this year I want to step it up another level. So that means no setbacks and regular scoring everywhere I ride - whether that is in Britain or Poland, in team or individual meetings.”

As well as committing himself to a full season with Peterborough he also faces a busy schedule across Europe after agreeing other team deals to ride in Poland, Denmark and Czech Republic.

Kosciuch added: “I’ll spend another season in Poland with GTZ Grudziadz as they’ve asked me to stay and help the club to gain promotion to Ekstraliga. I did have a few offers from Polish Ekstraliga clubs, but I decided to remain with Grudziadz and hopefully be an important part of their promoted team in 2014. My team-mates in Grudziadz will be Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris so I think we will have a really strong team.

“In Denmark I’m back in Esbjerg. I had a very good season in the Danish League when I rode for them last time – scoring 12-15 points in every meeting.

“I will also spend one more year with my Czech team, PDK Mseno. I’ve already won three league titles with them in 2009, 2010 and 2011, so we’ll be looking for another good season in 2013.

“I’m not sure if I will ride in Sweden this year though. I had one meeting for Swedish Elitserien runners-up, Piraterna last season, so we’ll see what happens. Mind you, I think Britain, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, plus some individual meetings will be enough to stop me getting race rusty and keep my form at a high level.”