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Hammers career : 1991-1993
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BRIAN KARGER will forever be remembered by Hammers fans as the rider that turned them from a good side to an unbeatable side in 1991 - the year they claimed their first ever league championship.
Brian had first ridden a speedway bike in a 1983 Danish third division match and paid a visit to these shores in 1986 to ride for the Swindon Robins in the top flight. He remained with the Robins until 1991, when he was released mid-season after a couple of sticky months despite having been made captain.
The Hammers had started that season as many peoples tip for second division honours and although starting well, the equally good form of league rivals Sheffield by no means made it a certainty that they would be challenging for silverware. Indeed, it was a heavy defeat in Yorkshire that prompted changes to side - and Brian was the answer.
His arrival was to change everything. Brian dropped a league to join the Hammers mid-season and made his debut during a thumping cup victory over Peterborough. He then travelled with the Club as they began an arduous northern tour that would ultimately shape the destiny of their season. Brian's dominant form and inspired team mates came home with three successive victories at Glasgow, Middlesbrough and Edinburgh and they never looked back.
Brian's maximum in the four team championship in July of that year brought the Hammers' first ever team trophy - and on 12th September they were crowned league champions. They capped off an unforgettable year with a replay victory over Glasgow to complete a clean sweep of honours by lifting the knockout cup.
Brian stayed with the Hammers as they moved into the first division the following season, topping the club averages and becoming their first ever world finalist.
Following a slightly disappointing 1993, Brian chose to remain in Denmark and eventually returned to these shores in 1995 to re-join Swindon. He remained with the Robins until 1999, when he linked up with Belle Vue for a short spell and even appeared at Arena-Essex in 2001 as part of Colin White's testimonial. His final season in British Speedway was to be in Aces colours during 2002.
Brian is now a world-renowned engine tuner and was an integral part of the team that helped Jason Crump clinch the world title in 2006.
Year |
Matches |
Rides |
Points |
Bonus |
Total |
Average |
Full Max |
Paid Max |
1991 |
26 |
124 |
289 |
28 |
317 |
10.23 |
1 |
6 |
1992 |
24 |
126 |
267 |
13 |
280 |
8.89 |
1 |
2 |
1993 |
32 |
166 |
324 |
22 |
346 |
8.34 |
2 |
1 |
TOTAL |
82 |
416 |
880 |
63 |
943 |
9.07 |
4 |
9 |
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