Tomasz Gollob facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tomasz Gollob

Born	(1971-04-11) 11 April 1971 (age 54) Bydgoszcz, Poland
Nationality	Polish
Website	www.gollobracing.com
Career history
Poland
1988, 1990-2003	Polonia Bydgoszcz
1989	Wybrzeże Gdańsk
2004-2007	Unia Tarnów
2008-2012	Stal Gorzów
2013-2014	KS Toruń
2015-2016	GKM Grudziądz
Great Britain
1998-2000	Ipswich Witches
Sweden
1997	Valsarna
2001-2010	Västervik
2011-2013	Hammarby
Denmark
2009	Esbjerg
Speedway Grand Prix statistics
Starts	163
Podiums	53 (22-10-21)
Finalist	66 time
Winner	22 times
Individual honours
2010	World Champion
2005-2012	Speedway Grand Prix winner (22 times)
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 2001, 2002, 2006, 2009	Polish Champion
1990, 1991, 1992	Polish Under 21 Champion
1996	Continental Champion
1994, 1995, 1997, 2000 2002	Polish Golden Helmet Winner
1990, 2002	Polish Silver Helmet Winner
1995	Jack Young Memorial Cup winner
Team honours
1996	World Team Cup Winner
2005, 2007, 2009, 2010	World Cup Winner
2001	European Cup Champions' Winner
1992, 1997, 1998, 2000 2002, 2004, 2005	Polish Team Champion
1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 2000, 2002	Polish Pairs Champion
1998	Elite League Champion
1998	Elite League KO Cup Winner
1998	Craven Shield Winner
2005, 2006	Swedish Elitserien Champion

Tomasz Robert Gollob, born on April 11, 1971, in Bydgoszcz, Poland, is a famous former Polish motorcycle speedway rider. Speedway is a type of motorcycle racing on an oval dirt track.

He competed in every Speedway Grand Prix series from its start in 1995 until 2013. Tomasz also represented the Poland national speedway team 52 times.

A Champion's Journey

Site of 2007 plane crash.

Tomasz Gollob spent most of his career with his hometown club, Bydgoszcz. Later, he moved to Unia Tarnów in 2004. He won the Polish Individual Championship eight times between 1992 and 2009. He also won the Polish Pairs Championship ten times.

He was very successful in the Polish Grand Prix, winning it eight times. In 2010, he achieved his biggest dream, becoming the Speedway World Champion. He secured this title in Terenzano, Italy. Tomasz was only the second Pole to ever win this championship. The first was Jerzy Szczakiel in 1973.

Racing in Australia

In the early to mid-1990s, Tomasz also raced in Australia. He was based at the North Arm Speedway in Adelaide. There, he competed against riders who would become his rivals in the World Championship. These included Jason Crump, Leigh Adams, and Ryan Sullivan.

Tomasz Gollob is the only World Champion to win the Jack Young Solo Cup. This race is held yearly in Adelaide to honor Australia's two-time World Champion, Jack Young. Tomasz won this cup in 1995 at North Arm.

Team Successes

Tomasz was a key member of the Poland speedway team. They won the Speedway World Team Cup in 1996. They also won the Speedway World Cup multiple times: in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

A Close Call

In 2007, Tomasz Gollob and fellow rider Rune Holta were in a plane crash. His father, Władysław, was flying the plane on their way to a speedway meeting. The plane crashed, but Tomasz was able to pull his father from the wreckage. He escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.

Retirement and Injuries

Tomasz retired from speedway with an amazing record. He had 22 Grand Prix wins between 1995 and 2012. In 2017, he suffered serious injuries to his head and spine. This happened during a motocross accident in Northern Poland.

Special Awards

For his great achievements in sports, Tomasz Gollob received the Order of Polonia Restituta. This is a very important Polish award.

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  Knight's Cross (5th Class) in 2000
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  Officer's Cross (4th Class) in 2007
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  Commander's Cross in 2010

Family Life

Tomasz Gollob has two brothers and one sister. His brother Jacek was also a speedway rider.

World Championship Races

Tomasz Gollob competed in many important world championship races.

Individual World Championship Finals

• 1993 - In Pocking, Germany - Finished 7th with 8 points.
• 1994 - In Vojens, Denmark - Finished 16th with 0 points.

World Pairs Championship Finals

• 1993 - In Vojens, Denmark (with Piotr Świst / Piotr Baron) - Finished 5th with 15 points.

World Team Cup Finals

• 1994 - In Brokstedt, Germany - Finished 2nd with 20 points.
• 1995 - In Bydgoszcz, Poland - Finished 6th with 13 points.
• 1996 - In Diedenbergen, Germany - Winner with 27 points.
• 1997 - In Piła, Poland - Finished 2nd with 25 points.
• 1998 - In Vojens, Denmark - Finished 4th with 17 points.

World Cup Finals

• 2001 - In Wrocław, Poland - Finished 2nd with 65 points.
• 2002 - In Peterborough, England - Finished 4th with 48 points.
• 2003 - In Vojens, Denmark - Finished 4th with 49 points.
• 2004 - In Poole, England - Finished 4th with 22 points.
• 2005 - In Wrocław, Poland - Winner with 62 points.
• 2007 - In Leszno, Poland - Winner with 55 points.
• 2008 - In Vojens, Denmark - Finished 2nd with 46 points.
• 2009 - In Leszno, Poland - Winner with 44 points.
• 2010 - In Vojens, Denmark - Winner with 46 points.

Individual Under-21 World Championship

• 1992 - In Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Germany - Finished 5th with 10 points.

Speedway Grand Prix Results

Tomasz Gollob competed in the Speedway Grand Prix series for many years. Here are his results:

See also

• Poland national speedway team
• List of Speedway Grand Prix riders
• Speedway in Poland