The wolves are back in the speedway league – have a secret weapon

– We have built the team after the track, it is small, technical and fluctuates a lot compared to what it does in other places.

The speedway league has been expanded to eight teams this year. The team that has stepped up is the Vargarna from Norrköping, who after a few difficult years have chosen to take the step up the series hierarchy again.

– We felt we were stuck and wanted to develop. We heard from people in the stands and from sponsors that they thought the time was now when we got the finances in order.

The Wolves chose in 2015 to take the step down from the speedway league to the Allsvenskan. Last year they finished in second place. The board then voted to try again in the highest series.

– I think we are as well prepared as we can be right now. We will try to establish ourselves during this year, says Erixon.

And interest in Norrköping is increasing.

– There is talk of speedway wherever you are – and there are people in town that you have never met before.

– There is a huge difference between the leagues. The drivers are much higher class and the finances make a lot.

But the secret weapon is clear. Even if the squad is not the most meritorious and other teams look significantly stronger, the track in Norrköping is very special.

– I believe and hope that we are better than many people think. At home in Norrköping, we will be hard hit.

Many of the drivers in the opposing teams have not driven at Norrköping’s motorstadion, Erixon sees that as a big advantage.

In history, the Wolves have won six SM golds, the most recent coming in 1961.

– It would mean a lot to win gold again.

– We have a three-year period where we will try to establish ourselves and become a top team. So in three years we should be ready to fight at the top properly.

The team includes some seasoned players such as Niels-Kristian Iversen, Chris Harris and Ludvig Lindgren. In addition, the Polish shooting star Jakub Miskowiak. Already this year, Erixon hopes that they will be able to be better than what the bottom tipping shows.

– Since everyone has tipped us last, I would very much like to have that last quarter-final spot.

In the premiere awaits hardest imaginable resistance. The sky-high advance favorites Västervik.

– It will be difficult. But it is perhaps best to take it at once and try to make a good match out of it, says Erixon.

The Danish are the reigning Swedish champions. They defeated this year’s favorites Västervik in a thrilling double-header.