Joshua Lee Grajczonek (born 5 February 1990) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider.[1][2][3][4] He is a record eight times winner of the Queensland championship.
 Josh Grajczonek (2010) | |
| Born | 5 February 1990 Townsville, Queensland |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| Great Britain | |
| 2008–2012 | Glasgow Tigers |
| 2009–2010, 2012, 2015 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 2011, 2016 | Swindon Robins |
| 2013, 2015–2017 | Somerset Rebels |
| 2013–2015, 2018–2019 | Poole Pirates |
| 2014 | Workington Comets |
| 2017, 2020 | Sheffield Tigers |
| Poland | |
| 2017 | Rzeszów |
| 2018 | Łódź |
| 2019 | Bydgoszcz |
| Denmark | |
| 2016 | Slangerup |
| Individual honours | |
| 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 2020, 2023 | Queensland champion |
| Team honours | |
| 2011, 2013 | Speedway Premier League |
| 2013, 2014 | Speedway Elite League |
| 2013 | Premier League Pairs Champion |
Career
editBorn in Townsville, Queensland, Grajczonek's big break in British Speedway came as an 18-year-old with the Glasgow Tigers. During four years with the team he won his first major trophy as a Speedway rider, the 2011 Premier League. For the majority of his time in Britain he has 'doubled-up' riding for a team in both the Elite League and the Premier League.
In 2013, he won the treble with Somerset Rebels; the league, cup and Premier League Pairs Championship partnering Jason Doyle, during the 2013 Premier League speedway season.[5]
After spells with both the Belle Vue Aces and the Swindon Robins in the Elite League, Grajczonek experienced two successful years riding for the Poole Pirates. In two full seasons with the team he won the Elite League on both occasions. Despite being a part of such a successful period with the club he was initially left out of the teams plans for the 2015 season and it looked as though he would be left without an Elite League club for the 2015 season. However, after an unfortunate injury to fellow Australian Davey Watt shortly before the start of the season Poole turned to Grajczonek and drafted him in as a temporary replacement.[6] In 2016, he won the Premier League Pairs Championship for the second time, this time partnering Rohan Tungate for Somerset Rebels, during the 2016 Premier League speedway season.[7]
Grajczonek is an eight time Queensland Solo Champion, winning the title in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2023.[8]
In 2018 and 2019, he rode for Poole once again in the SGB Premiership.[1]
World Championship Appearances
editSpeedway World Cup
edit- 2016 – Manchester, National Speedway Stadium – 4th – 22pts (0)
References
edit- ^ a b "Rider Index". British Speedway. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "2008 Rider index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "Grajczonek, Josh". Polish Speedway Database. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ "Somerset Rebels win Premier League pairs championship". Burnham on Sea. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Poole Pirates: Josh Grajczonek replaces Davey Watt on temporary basis". Bournemouth Echo. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Somerset Rebels speedway duo are Premier League Pairs Champions!". Burnham on Sea. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ Qld Solo Championship honour roll Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine