FIM Speedway

UKRAINIAN RACER PARNITSKYI PENS NEW DACKARNA DEAL

Ukraine’s SGP2 world champion Nazar Parnitskyi has extended his stay with Swedish side Dackarna into 2026.Parnitskyi made his Bauhaus Elitserien debut with the Malilla club this year, averaging 1.649 points per race.He teams up with the likes of 2021 Speedway GP world champion Artem Laguta and Swedish duo Timo Lahti and Tomas H Jonasson next year.Parnitskyi powered to a five-ride maximum to win a rain-shortened Deluxe Homeart FIM SGP2 of Denmark – Vojens in September, sealing the FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship.He’s set for a huge year in 2026 after also being named as first substitute rider for the Speedway GP series, meaning he will be called into action if any of the SGP regulars are sidelined due to injury, illness or other reasons.Of his Malilla return, Parnitskyi said: “I am very happy to stay in Dackarna for another season and look forward to meeting the fans in Malilla again.”Elsewhere in Sweden, Piraterna has penned deals with Swedish trio Jonathan Ejnermark, Erik Persson and Harry Lundahl.

Discover

POLISH SIDE GRUDZIADZ SIGNS DRABIK, PEDERSEN & BAILEY

Two-time World Under-21 champion Maksym Drabik, Bastian Pedersen and Beau Bailey are set to join Polish PGE Ekstraliga side Grudziadz for 2026.The trio were confirmed as the final members of the squad, joining Speedway GP duo Max Fricke and Michael Jepsen Jensen, plus Vadim Tarasenko and SGP2 riders Kevin Malkiewicz and Jan Przanowski. Kacper Wardulinski, Kacper Szarszewski, Damian Miller and Kevin Iwanski complete the squad.Drabik starred for relegated Rybnik throughout the 2025 season, averaging 2.136 points per race to finish 11th in the PGE Ekstraliga average charts.Pedersen represented Grudziadz’s near neighbours Torun at Under-24 Ekstraliga level in a year which saw him win FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 silver with Denmark and finish second at the Deluxe Homeart FIM SGP2 of Denmark – Vojens.Bailey comes into 2026 on the back of winning FIM Speedway Youth World Championship bronze at the FIM SGP3 Final in Prague last May. He will also compete for Region Varde in the Danish Speedwayligaen.

Discover

NEW CLUB FOR NAGEL IN SWEDEN

Danish racer Villads Nagel will line up for Swedish Bauhaus Elitserien champions Vastervik in 2026.The former SGP2 rider makes the move to the coastal club after a season which saw him play a key role in Denmark winning FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 silver in Torun. He also helped Polish club Pila win promotion to the Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga.After a strong Bauhaus Elitserien debut season with Rospiggarna, Nagel hopes to continue his progress with Vastervik.He said: “I am really happy to be part of Vastervik Speedway for the 2026 season. It is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I am proud to be part of such a strong and professional team. I can't wait to get started and meet all the fans – see you in 2026!”Vastervik has also agreed a contract extension with Swedish young gun Adam Carlsson.The 17-year-old said: “It feels fantastic to stay in Vastervik next season. This is where I want to be, and I know that this is the right place for me to be able to continue developing in the very best way. See you at Hejla Arena!”Elsewhere, Leo Klasson has signed a new contract with Bauhaus Elitserien runners-up Smederna for next year.He said: “It’s really fun to get to continue with Smederna Speedway! I have enjoyed the team from the first moment and have felt great support from both team leaders and teammates. It's a fantastic team and it really feels like the right environment for me to develop in. I'm a long-term bet and look forward to fighting to earn my place on the team.”

Discover

HELLSTROM-BANGS HANDED SUSPENSION

Swedish star Philip Hellstrom-Bangs has been suspended from racing for one month from May 1 until May 31.The former SGP2 rider received the ban following an incident that took place at Masarna’s Swedish Allsvenskan League semi-final on August 21.Both of Hellstrom-Bangs’ Swedish clubs, Bauhaus Elitserien team Rospiggarna and Masarna, released statements confirming that the rider plans to appeal against the penalty.A Rospiggarna statement read: “Rospiggarna Speedway has taken note of the disciplinary action taken against our rider Philip Hellström-Bängs.“We want to clearly emphasise that we take what happened seriously and that respect for referees, officials and the sport in general is always a natural part of our operations. “At the same time, we question the suspension imposed, as we believe that it is disproportionate to the incident and in practice means that a Swedish rider is prevented from practicing his sport for a longer period of time and is in practice banned from doing business.“The decision affects not only the rider but also the club as a whole, both sportingly and financially. We believe that a more proportionate sanction, such as a suspension from the league where the incident occurred or a fine, would have been a more reasonable solution.“The decision will be appealed by Philip, and Rospiggarna Speedway has provided our views in a separate appendix. We hope that the issue will be re-examined, and that a fair and balanced assessment is made in line with the best interests of the sport and Swedish speedway.”In a separate statement, Masarna posted: “Masarna Speedway stands for clear values of respect and sportsmanship, and we have handled the event internally. Philip has taken responsibility for his actions and shown remorse.“We believe that the subsequent punishment is unreasonably harsh in relation to the event, which was a verbal outburst of emotion.“The consequence means in practice that a Swedish rider is prevented from practicing his sport during a significant part of the season, with major sporting and financial consequences for both him and the affected associations.“The decision has therefore been appealed to the National Sports Committee, and Masarna has submitted a statement where we account for our position. "We hope for a new hearing and a more proportional assessment, in line with the basic values of sport and in the best interests of Swedish speedway.”

Discover

LEBEDEVS AIMING HIGH FOR 2026 AS HE COMPLETES POLISH MOVE

Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs is aiming high for 2026 after completing a switch to Zielona Gora in Poland’s PGE Ekstraliga.Lebedevs makes the move from Falubaz’s arch-rivals Gorzow, joining Polish Speedway GP rival Dominik Kubera in signing for Zielona Gora this week.After racing to a career-best sixth place in the Speedway GP World Championship this season, the double European champion is aiming for honours with both Falubaz and individually in 2026.He told Falubaz.com: "An Olympian dreams of an Olympic medal, and for me, that goal is a World Championship trophy. I'm very optimistic about next year with Falubaz. I hope to take the next step to ensure my and the team's results are as good as possible."I'm happy to be part of such an ambitious club. I'm here to fight for the highest goals and achieve the success we all deserve.”Zielona Gora president Adam Golinski commented: "I am convinced that Andzejs' experience, determination and desire to win will be a significant asset for Falubaz, and his points will provide significant support for the other leaders. We signed a one-year contract with him because we believe he will bring not only high athleticism, but also a fighting spirit to our ranks.”

Discover

UKRAINIAN RACER PARNITSKYI PENS NEW DACKARNA DEAL

POLISH SIDE GRUDZIADZ SIGNS DRABIK, PEDERSEN & BAILEY

NEW CLUB FOR NAGEL IN SWEDEN

HELLSTROM-BANGS HANDED SUSPENSION

LEBEDEVS AIMING HIGH FOR 2026 AS HE COMPLETES POLISH MOVE