Sweden: Kim Nilsson claims his first title and secures a GP wildcard

The speedway track in Karlstad hosted this year’s Swedish Championship final. With Fredrik Lindgren – the champion for the past three years – absent, it was clear that the spectators would be witnessing a new title-winner.

Right from the start, Kim Nilsson showed that, having won four bronze medals (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022) and three silver medals (2014, 2024, 2025), he was aiming for more and was determined to clinch the championship title this year. With four heat wins, he set himself on course for direct qualification to the final and was able to take it in his stride that Oliver Berntzon, who had failed to score any points in the first round, finished ahead of him in the 17th heat.

With this race victory, Berntzon – who finished on eleven points – secured a place in the final alongside Nilsson and Jacob Thorssell, meaning that Timo Lahti, despite being level on points with Berntzon, had to contest the repechage for the final spot. Lahti came out on top in this race, although the race had to be restarted twice after Thomas H. Jonasson, who had started from the outside, collided with Casper Henriksson in the first corner. At the restart, Jonasson attempted the same manoeuvre but was blocked by Lahti coming out of the first corner, allowing the Finnish-born rider to secure the fourth place in the final via a roundabout route.

In the final, Nilsson was once again put to the test and had to fight his way to the front. He succeeded in doing so, meaning that the former GP rider not only clinched his first Swedish Championship but will also compete in the Grand Prix on 11 July in Malilla on a wildcard.

Results of the Swedish Speedway Championship, Karlstad/S: